Hello and God bless. Please pray for: Tony -- 80 yr old man who's battled depression ... More
Dear Lord, I ask you to please intervene on the behalf of my friend, Emi V., ... More
Please pray for my friend Marta S. She lost her home in Colorado due to the ... More

Preparing the Way

Advent is a four-week season of joy, anticipation and repentance to prepare for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. It continues through Dec. 24. We are invited to reflect on the wondrous mystery of our Savior's birth and his coming again in glory at the end of time. To learn more, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 524-528 or visit our Advent Resource Guide

Diocese closes because of weather

The offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock will be closed Friday, Dec. 6 because of inclement weather. All Catholic schools in Little Rock and North Little Rock are also closed. To reach a member of the staff, send an e-mail or leave a phone message by calling (501) 664-0340. He or she will respond when the offices reopen. Thank you for your patience.

Marian feasts to be celebrated during Advent

Normally, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Dec. 8, but since it falls on the Second Sunday of Advent this year, the feast has been transferred to Monday, Dec. 9. Therefore, it is not a holy day of obligation this year. However, the importance of the feast remains. It acknowledges that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin. Learn more by visiting the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531, Mary appeared to Juan Diego in a small village near Mexico City. As a result, millions converted to the faith. Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only the patroness of Mexico, but of all the Americas. Special celebrations mark this feast in parishes across Arkansas. See our Calendar to find events in your area

Appeal to help with Catholic school tuition

The Catholic Schools of Arkansas Scholarship Appeal has been established to provide scholarships for students who cannot afford their tuition. The appeal's theme is "Invest in the Future, Continue the Tradition." The diocese's Catholic Schools Office mailed a letter to all Catholic households in Arkansas this week to request tuition assistance for the 28 Catholic schools across the state.

The schools subsidize the cost to educate each child through donations, fundraisers and parish subsidies. In addition, some families apply for need-based scholarships to lower the costs of their portion of the tuition, but many schools are not able to cover the entire amount the families need. "We will supplement what the schools are already doing," said schools superintendent Vernell Bowen. "We don't want to lose students because they can't afford it."

To make a donation, please download and complete the donor form and mail to: Catholic Schools of Arkansas Scholarship Appeal, Diocese of Little Rock, P.O. Box 7269, Little Rock, AR 72217-9902. For more information, contact the Catholic Schools Office.

Input sought for synod on marriage, family

In preparation for the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is asking Catholics in Arkansas to complete a questionnaire on marriage and family issues by Dec. 6. He plans to use this input to help form our diocese's response, which come at the request of Pope Francis.

The worldwide synod will focus on the "Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization." It will be held Oct. 5-19, 2014. In a Nov. 18 letter to clergy and laity, Bishop Taylor explained, "This is not a referendum on Church teaching, nor is the doctrine of the Church in question." What is sought is input on "what can be done to articulate Church teaching in a way that will open people's hearts anew to the grace of salvation and the embrace of Jesus' merciful, forgiving love."

Ministry Spotlight
Alcohol and Drug Ministry

This ministry educates parishes, other diocesan groups and diocesan clergy on alcohol and drug issues. It offers resources, referrals and information about interventions and assists parishes in initiating 12-Step programs as needed. It also acts as the liaison between the diocese and the Calix Society, which promotes spiritual development for recovering addicts. Learn more

December 6, 2013
Friday of the First Week of Advent

What's New

Joy of the Gospel — Read Pope Francis' "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel"), an apostolic exhortation released Nov. 26 in response to the October 2012 Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization; the entire document is available for download in English and Spanish or purchase through USCCB Publishing
Santa Claus — Learn about the real St. Nicholas, whose feast day we celebrate on Dec. 6 or take part in St. Nicholas events in your area
Catholic Charities Connections — Get an update on the ministries of Catholic Charities of Arkansas by reading this insert from Arkansas Catholic
Video Christmas Card — Send your prayers and greetings to Pope Francis this Christmas through Vine or Instagram on the Pope2You website

Special Features

St. Nicholas Partners — Help support the work of Catholic Charities of Arkansas by becoming a partner of St. Nicholas this Christmas
Audio Library — Listen to the homilies of Bishop Taylor — no downloading required — just click on a title to hear the audio player embedded on our site
Catholics You Want to Know — Learn about the people in the pews making a difference through their service to the Catholic Church in Arkansas
Liturgy of the Hours — Pray the official prayer of the Church on our website or download it via the iBreviary app to your smart phone, tablet or e-reader
Sacrament Information — Ask for a marriage or baptism record online or e-mail our archivist for help with your genealogy research
Stay Connected — Like the Diocese of Little Rock and Bishop Taylor on Facebook or watch our videos on YouTube