New Catholics: Welcome to the Church!

Catholic parishes across Arkansas reported welcoming more than 800 people into the Catholic Church in the past year. Those who were already baptized in another Christian faith were welcomed into the Church throughout the year, as well as on Holy Saturday. They made a profession of faith, were confirmed and received First Communion. The unbaptized were received during Easter Vigil Masses Saturday, April 4. They were baptized, confirmed and received First Communion. These neophytes (new Catholics) prepared for entry into the Catholic Church through More

Seminarians take steps to priesthood

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is installing eight Diocese of Little Rock seminarians as candidates, lectors and acolytes as part of their journey toward priesthood during special Masses in May at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. The bishop will celebrate the Admission to Candidacy Mass Saturday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m. for seminarians Ryan Carlson, Nghiep Hoang and Benjamin Keating. The admission to candidacy will be conferred on those who have demonstrated the necessary qualifications for ordination. He will celebrate the Installation of Lector Mass More

Make pilgrimage in Year of St. Francis

Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a universal Year of St. Francis from Jan. 10, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint's death. Three parishes in Arkansas have been designated as pilgrimage churches during the Year of St. Francis. Catholics are invited to visit the churches in Arkansas named after the Italian saint in Forrest City, Little Italy and Fairfield Bay. Weekend Mass in Forrest City is at 12:15 p.m. on Sundays. In Little Italy, Mass is at 10 a.m. Sundays. Fairifield Bay has Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. All Masses are in English. More