Vocations and Seminarians Office
Christ Our Light
At dusk, Msgr. David LeSieur, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers, lights the paschal candle, symbolizing the light of Christ, before the Easter Vigil Mass on March 30, 2013. Each year on Holy Saturday we gather for the climax of the Easter Triduum. "On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life." The Easter Vigil Mass consists of four main parts: the Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and Liturgy of the Eucharist. Individuals will join the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist in parishes across Arkansas tonight. Witness the miracle of new life in Christ by attending the Easter Vigil Mass in your area
Bishop to celebrate Easter Triduum
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the Easter Triduum at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. The schedule is as follows: Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, April 17 at 6 p.m.; Good Friday Passion of the Lord, April 18 at 12:05 p.m.; and the Easter Vigil Mass (Holy Saturday), April 19 at 8 p.m. Easter Sunday Masses will be celebrated April 20 at 8:30 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. To see the Holy Week Mass Schedule for your area, the list for live Stations of the Cross or other special events during Holy Week, visit Arkansas Catholic.
New Catholics to be welcomed at Easter Vigil
Catholic parishes across Arkansas will welcome an estimated 543 new Catholics into the Church during their Easter Vigil Masses on Holy Saturday, April 19. These people have participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process. Those participating fall into two groups: the elect and candidates. The elect have not been baptized and have been formed in the Christian faith and life. At the Easter Vigil, they will be baptized, confirmed and receive their first Communion. Candidates are baptized members of other Christian churches who wish to become Catholic. During the Easter Vigil, they will make a profession of faith, be confirmed and receive their first Communion. The list of all those entering the Church can be found in the April 19 issue of Arkansas Catholic.
55 years of our Catholic history now digitized
Much progress has been made to preserve diocesan history through Arkansas Catholic's Guardian Angel campaign. The weekly newspaper has digitized 33 volumes since April 2013, bringing the total volumes of The Southern Guardian and The Guardian available online to 55 years. With donations, the newspapers were electronically scanned, made searchable and available through Arkansas Catholic's online archive.
Since the campaign began in 2010, parishes, religious orders, businesses and individuals have donated $55,080. In the next two to three years, the newspaper will focus on getting the issues from 1966 to 2001 digitized. Digital editions from 2002 to the present are available through subscription to Arkansas Catholic Online. If you would like to help Arkansas Catholic preserve these years, download the donation form and mail it in with your contribution. Donors may sponsor a year in honor of a pastor, family member or parish for as little as $500. For more information, e-mail Malea Hargett or call her at (501) 664-0125.
LRSS scholarships to help pay for college
Little Rock Scripture Study is taking applications for its Scholarship for Studies Preparing for Lay Ministry. Each year four parishioners in Arkansas can receive $1,000 to assist them in pursuing college or graduate degrees in fields such as theology, Scripture, sacred music, canon law, liturgy, pastoral administration or religious education. The application deadline is May 1. To apply, e-mail Cackie Upchurch, director of Little Rock Scripture Study, or call her at (501) 664-6102.
Ministry Spotlight
Office of the Bishop
Through the Office of the Bishop, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor shepherds the people of the diocese with the assistance of his priests who lead the parishes and ministries under the bishop's guidance and leadership. Together they work to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ with the goal of leading all people to eternal life in heaven. Learn more
What's New
- He is Risen — The Way of the Cross: Stations and Meditations from Arkansas ended with a cliffhanger:"The story does not end here." Now we learn the rest of the story. Jesus Christ is Risen Today!"
- Holy Week Schedule — See what activities are planned in your area during the holiest week of the year, including Mass times, Stations of the Cross, and Easter events
- Canonization of Two Popes — Learn about plans to declare Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints on Divine Mercy Sunday April 27
Special Features
Our Friend in Christ — Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald, 90, our beloved, former bishop for 28 years, died April 1. Read about his funeral services, share your memories on our tribute page or give a memorial to support diocesan seminarians.
Mapping the Footsteps of God — Enjoy this new, 12-part column series from Little Rock Scripture Study, available in English and Spanish, that explores the physical landscape of biblical stories and the spiritual symbolism of deserts and gardens, mountains and valleys, rivers and seas, villages and cities, shrines, temples and churches
- Stay Connected — Like the Diocese of Little Rock and Bishop Taylor on Facebook or watch our videos on YouTube
- Way of the Cross: Stations and Meditations from Arkansas — Purchase this DVD with all 14 videos from this Lenten series, including a bonus video that would be perfect for use on Good Friday with additional photos of stations from Arkansas as a backdrop to the "Stabat Mater," (the "Mother was Standing") a 13th-century Catholic hymn about Mary's pain at the foot of her son's cross by downloading and returning the order form
Calendar of Events
Submit an Event- April 20: Easter Egg Hunt
- April 20: Easter Potluck
- April 20: Holy Saturday
- April 21: Easter Sunday
In Arkansas Catholic
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