Vocations and Seminarians Office
Celebrate our Schools
Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students at St. John School in Russellville prepare to celebrate Catholics Schools Week in this Jan. 19 photo. This annual observance will be held Jan. 29-Feb. 5 in Catholic schools across the nation focusing on the theme: "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." Visit the National Catholic Educational Association to learn more or read this week's Arkansas Catholic to find out how our Catholic schools plan to celebrate the week.
Bishop Taylor addresses DHHS ruling
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is asking priests, religious and laity to help fight a ruling by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will require health care plans to cover sterilization and contraception free of charge. He said the religious liberty of people of faith will be violated if the ruling is implemented. In a Jan. 25 letter, Bishop Taylor said, "We cannot – we will not – comply with this unjust law." Read the letter in English or Spanish. While there is a narrow religious exemption, Catholic hospitals, charities and colleges would not be exempt. Business owners, insurers or individuals would also be forced to comply with the ruling even though they might object to contraception, many of which cause abortions or sterilizations. Learn more about the impact of this ruling. Specifically, the bishop is asking Catholics to pray and fast that "wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty restored." He urges them to visit the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' website and contact their congressional leaders to tell them to support legislation to reverse this decision.
Marriage programs to be held in February
The Family Life Office will host several marriage events in February. A convalidation marriage preparation day will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock for couples who were married in civil ceremonies and are being prepared for marriage within the Church. Couples must have the approval of their pastor before attending. The cost is $50 a couple. For more information, call Elizabeth Reha at (501) 664-0340, or download the registration form. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be held Feb. 10-12 at Subiaco Abbey. This retreat is open to married couples with good marriages who want to make them great. The application fee is $50. For more information, call Stephen and Elaine Lienhart at (501) 312-1119, or download the registration form. Retrouvaille, a program designed to help troubled and hurting marriages, will hold retreats Feb. 10-12 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock and in Tulsa, Okla. Separated and divorced couples are also encouraged to attend. For more information, call (501) 835-7537, or download the registration form.
Ministry Spotlight
Office of the Bishop Emeritus
Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald, although retired, maintains an office at St. John Catholic Center. It is managed by secretary Marian Grant-Swift. The bishop serves as chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph Home for the Elderly in Palatine, Ill., but he returns to Little Rock two or three times a year to participate in special events. Learn more
What's New
Lenten Recipes — Submit your best meatless recipes by Feb. 14 to Arkansas Catholic to be published in its special section on Lent. Give your name, city and parish to be considered for publication- Black and Indian Missions
Collection — Give to this special collection to be taken up in all parishes Jan. 28-29 - Feast of St. Blaise — Pray for
the intercession of this martyr
and have your throat blessed on Feb. 3, his feast day
Special Features
Guardian Archives — Issues of The Guardian from 1914 to 1918 are now online and can be accessed for free. In 2011 volumes from 1911 to 1913, 1921 and 1945 were scanned as well and are searchable.- Cloud of Witnesses — Read this column series from Little Rock Scripture Study about the men and women in the Bible who model discipleship
- Open Your Hearts — Watch, read or listen to this initiative from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor that describes his top priorities for the Diocese of Little Rock
- Diaconate Candidates — View the vocation stories of the 41 men preparing to be ordained deacons in December 2012
- Bulletin Resources — Use these in your parish bulletin or school newsletter throughout the year in English or Spanish
- Stay Connected — Follow the Diocese of Little Rock and Bishop Taylor on Facebook or watch our videos on YouTube
Calendar of Events
Submit an Event- Jan. 28: Bingo Night
- Jan. 28 - Feb. 3: Catholic Schools Week
- Jan. 28: St. Raphael School Discovery Day
- Jan. 28: Used Book Sale
In Arkansas Catholic
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