Vocations and Seminarians Office
33 and Counting
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, Msgr. Scott Friend and Father Erik Pohlmeier, pose with some Diocese of Little Rock seminarians at the Taste of Faith fundraising dinner Aug. 7 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew's McDonald Hall. More than $150,000 was raised to help pay for seminarian tuition. To learn more, read Arkansas Catholic. The diocese accepted 13 new seminarians this fall, bringing the total to 33, making it one of the largest seminarian classes in many years. To learn more, read Arkansas Catholic or contact the Vocations and Seminarians Office.
Day for Seniors to focus on hospice
The diocese's Senior Resource Ministry Committee will host its 11th annual Day for Seniors Sunday, Sept. 12 in Morris Hall Chapel at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock.
Beginning at 1 p.m., guest speaker Ellen Young, hospice specialist from the Arkansas Department of Health, will present "Understanding Hospice." Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate Mass at 2:30 p.m. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick will be available during Mass. A light supper will be served following Mass. To RSVP, call the Family Life Office at (501) 664-0340, ext. 353.
Jubilarian priests to be honored on Sept. 14
A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held Tuesday, Sept. 14 to honor seven priests who are celebrating 25, 50, 60 and 70 years of priestly service. The Mass will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor as the celebrant. The jubilarians priests are Father John Burkus, 70 years; Msgr. Bernard Malone, 60 years; Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, Father James Savary and Father Donald Murrin, 50 years; and Father John Connell and Father Aaron Pirrera, OSB, 25 years.
Programs to strengthen relationships this fall
In his "Family" volume of the “Pope Benedict XVI – Spiritual Thoughts Series" the Holy Father stressed the importance of marriage and family in society. “Marriage and the family," he said, "are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misrepresentation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them is injurious to society itself." The diocese's Family Life Office is sponsoring the following programs in September and October that support marriage:
Beginning Experience, a retreat for those widowed, separated or divorced, will be held Sep. 10-12 at Camp Christian in Choteau, Okla. For more information, download the registration form.- Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a weekend for couples with good marriages who wish to make them better, will be held Oct. 1-3 at Coury House Retreat Center at Subiaco Abbey. To learn more, download the registration form.
- Encuentro Matrimonial, the Spanish-language Marriage Encounter, will be held Oct. 29-31 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. For more information, download the registration form.
- Retrouvaille, a program for those in troubled or hurting marriages, will be held Oct. 15-17 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock in English and Spanish. To learn more, download the English or Spanish registration form.
- Marriage Anniversary Mass, which celebrates couples married 25 years, 50 years or more, will be held Oct. 3 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. For more information, download the registration.
Ministry Spotlight
Catholic Schools Office
This office oversees all 31 elementary and secondary Catholic schools in the Diocese of Little Rock. It coordinates educational programs consistent with the philosophy of Catholic education and priorities outlined by the bishop. It also serves as a liaison between the Church and state in all matters pertaining to education. The superintendent, who heads the office, acts as advocate and spokesman for the schools. Learn more
What's New
Religious Directory — offers names and contact information for all religious men and women serving in the Diocese of Little Rock- New Roman Missal — has been approved by the Vatican and will be implemented in the United States during Advent 2011
- Top Five Priorities — the U.S. bishops have five key goals through 2011, which include strengthening marriage, faith formation, promoting vocations and the dignity of human life as well as highlighting cultural diversity
Special Features
Hearing the Good News — a new series from Little Rock Scripture Study that explores how the Gospels can help us encounter Jesus Christ; now also available in Spanish- Bishop Anthony B. Taylor — read his Pastoral Letter on the Rights of Immigrants, his homilies or follow him on Facebook
- Bulletin Resources — now available for use in parish and school newsletters throughout the year
- Disaster Plan — get your family prepared using the Family Emergency & Disaster Planning Guide or Disaster Preparedness Tips
- Sacramental Inquiries — ask for a marriage or baptismal record online or e-mail our archivist to receive help with your genealogy research
- Prayer for the Diocese — Join with others across Arkansas in saying this beautiful prayer written by a diocesan priest.
Calendar of Events
Submit an Event- Sept. 6: Labor Day
- Sept. 10 - Sept. 11: Little Rock Theology Institute
- Sept. 10 - Sept. 12: Beginning Experience
- Sept. 10: Spanish Festival
In Arkansas Catholic
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