New students join spiritual direction

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated a bilingual Mass to welcome new students to the School of Spiritual Direction Sept. 6 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Classes to begin the second year of the program followed the Mass led by director Father Daniel Velasco, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock. Weekend-long classes are held monthly from September to May as part of the three-year formation program sponsored by the Diocese of Little Rock. The new class adds 12 students, including three Spanish speakers, bringing total enrollment More

Teachers recognized at Professional Day

The 87th annual Arkansas Catholic Schools Professional Day was held Friday, Sept. 27 at Christ the King School in Little Rock. This year's theme was: "Lessons for the Journey." Father Juan Guido, pastor of Christ the King Church, celebrated Mass at 9 a.m. Ten priests from across the Diocese of Little Rock concelebrated the Mass assisted by Deacon Jason Pohlmeier. Nine Catholic school staff members were recognized for 25 years of service in Catholic schools after the Mass. They are principal Kathy Lorince, Holy Rosary, Stuttgart; assistant principal Paige Coppola, St. Joseph More

St. Francis inspires care for all creation

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), patron saint of animals and ecology, is known for his love for God's creation. In his "Canticle of the Creatures," he reveals how all creation is connected in one family under God's loving care. His feast day is celebrated Oct. 4. In his 2015 papal encyclical, “Laudato Si’” (“Praise Be to You”), Pope Francis showed he has a lot in common with his namesake, by challenging all to care for God's creation. Last year, on St. Francis of Assisi's feast day, the Holy Father released “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”), an apostolic exhortation to follow up More