Open Your Hearts in Welcome!
¡Abran su Corazón en Bienvenida!
"Open your hearts in welcome!" is a new initiative from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor in which he identifies his priorities for the Diocese of Little Rock over the next 18 months. He launched this initiative in a homily that was played at all Masses in Arkansas the weekend of Sept. 10-11, 2011.
In his homily, he identified four key areas, in what he called his "rallying cry" to parishioners to learn, grow and ultimately open their hearts to the future of the Church in the diocese. "We are experiencing changes in our diocese and we as Catholics and Christians need to be ready and responsive to these changes," he said.
His four priorities are: 1.) Welcoming the English translation of the New Roman Missal; 2.) Welcoming natural family planning for all engaged couples of child-bearing age; 3.) Welcoming the newcomers in our midst; this includes those joining the Church, immigrants, young adults and retirees new to the state, and those who have left the Church and want to return; 4.) Welcoming the Lord's call in your life, including a possible call to the priesthood.
This page offers the bishop's audio homily that was read at all Masses, as well as the text for those who wish to read along as they listen. In addition, the bishop's initiative is also offered in video and can we found on the diocese's new YouTube channel, launched to coincide with the "Open Your Hearts" initiative. The two-part video, along with all the other materials are offered in English and Spanish. There are also links to articles published in the Sept. 10 special issue of Arkansas Catholic that focus on the ministries named in the bishop's priorities.
Resources/Recursos
Watch Part 1: "Open Your Hearts to Upcoming Changes"
Watch Part 2: "Open Your Hearts to Newcomers and the Call of the Lord"
- Ver 1ª Parte: "Abran Sus Corazones a Próximos Cambios"
- Ver 2ª Parte: "Abran Sus Corazones a los Recién Llegados y al Llamado del Señor"
Related Links/Enlaces Relacionados
1.) Open your Hearts to the New Roman Missal/Abran sus Corazones al nuevo Misal Romano
- Changes a time to learn more about the Mass, liturgist says
- Roman Missal, Third Edition Q&A — Prepare for the changes to take place the first Sunday of Advent
- Welcoming the Roman Missal: Third Edition — Learn more from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
2.) Open your Hearts to Natural Family Planning/Abran sus Corazones a la Planificación Familiar Natural
- Natural family planning is open to life — responsibly
- Natural Family Planning — Choose a method that works for you
3.) Open your Hearts to Newcomers/Abran Sus Corazones a los Recién Llegados
- Dialogue is key to welcoming lapsed Catholics back to their faith
- Young adults search for place in the Church
- How to Become Catholic — Find out if the RCIA process is for you
- Aprende Acerca de la fe Católica — Descubre si el proceso de RICA es para ti
- Return to the Faith — If you have drifted away from the Church, we invite you to come home
- Regresando a la Fe — Si te has alejado de la Iglesia, te invitamos a que regreses a casa
- Arkansas Catholics Coming Home — Follow this new page on Facebook
- Welcome the Strangers Among Us — Read Bishop Taylor's 2008 pastoral letter on immigration
- Que sean Bienvenidos los Forasteros entre Nosotros — Lee la carta pastoral del Obispo Taylor acerca de la inmigración, publicada en 2008
- Ministerio para Jóvenes Adultos Hispanos — Hispanic young adults are welcome!
- Senior Adult Ministry — If you are new to Arkansas, get connected through the Senior Network
4.) Open your Hearts to Vocations/Abran sus Corazones a las Vocaciones
- 100 years ago, Bishop Morris had a vision for more priests
- History of the Diocese — Learn more about St. John Seminary
- House of Formation to open in Little Rock in spring 2012
- Ten new seminarians accepted for the Diocese of Little Rock
- Diocesan Seminarians — Read their stories written in their own words
- Seminaristas de la Diócesis — Lee sus historias escritas en sus propias palabras
- Frequently Asked Questions — See if your questions have already been answered about seminary
- Religious Order Directory — Get contact information for all religious orders in Arkansas