Thank You for Your Service!
In this photo, Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert proudly holds up the apostolic letter from Pope Benedict XVI announcing the appointment of Father Anthony Basil Taylor as seventh bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock at the June 5, 2008, ordination in Little Rock.
During the celebration, Msgr. Hebert presented Bishop-elect Taylor to Oklahoma City Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran to be ordained calling him, “the answer to our prayers.”
During his homily, Oklahoma City Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran thanked Msgr. Hebert for serving as diocesan administrator for two years.
“You have faithfully, efficiently and joyfully served the Church of Arkansas throughout your entire priesthood. When you were elected administrator, you accepted what you thought would be a short term," Archbishop Beltran said, a comment met with laughter from the assembly.
"As the months added up to years, you never complained and never faltered. You have been an outstanding administrator and we are truly grateful," he said. And Msgr. Hebert was honored with a standing ovation.
Msgr. Hebert's two-year term as diocesan administrator ended when Bishop Taylor was ordained the seventh bishop of Little Rock. He came out of retirement in June 2006 to accept this position after Bishop J. Peter Sartain was appointed to the Diocese of Joliet, Ill. Learn more about Msgr. Hebert's time as administrator or read his personal reflection on his tenure in Arkansas Catholic.
Updated June 10, 2008