Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
For best results, put specific keyword, title or phrase in quotes. (i.e. “Ash Wednesday”)
Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Make sure you're counted in 2020 census
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor supports the efforts of the 2020 census to count every person who lives in the United States. Every person living in your home needs to be counted. That includes children and newborn babies, citizens and noncitizens, relatives and nonrelatives and even those staying with you temporarily. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year for schools, health care facilities, roads and social services. Your responses to the census are safe and secure. ... More
Support seminarians online Holy Thursday
The annual Holy Thursday Collection for Seminarian Education will be held April 9. The money from this Diocese of Little Rock collection will support the educational and housing expenses of the diocese's seminarians. Since the collection was established in 2010, the money has been able to support the seminarian’s urgent needs. “Since that time you have donated over $3,461,330.47,” vocations director Msgr. Scott Friend wrote in letter to parishioners. “As of 2009, Bishop Taylor has ordained 36 new priests.” A donation envelope will also be inserted in the April 4 issue ... More
Update: Catholic schools closed to April 17
UPDATE: Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, announced March 19, 2020, that Catholic schools will now remain closed through April 17. This is an update to her previous letter below, issued on March 14, informing parents of the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas from March 16-30: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes March 17
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments March 17, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Feb. 24: Rev. Arokiasamy Madhichetty Irudayaraj, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce. He remains pastor of St. Mary Church in Arkadelphia, and St. John the Baptist in Malvern; Rev. Joseph Marconi, appointed pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff, Holy Cross Church in Sheridan, and St. Mary Church ... More
Bishop abuse reporting service launched
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, issued the following letter, March 16, 2020, about the creation of a third-party reporting system to specifically report and assess allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct with minors by bishops: "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "Following guidance from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" ("You are the light of the world"), the bishops of the United States met this past fall to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church. The result of that meeting ... More
Catholic schools closed effective March 16
Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, issued the following letter, March 14, 2020, to parents announcing the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas beginning March 16, 2020: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until March 30, 2020. In response to COVID-19, we are trying to be proactive rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain ... More
Bishop suspends Masses after March 21
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following letter, March 12, 2020, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock about required changes in response to COVID-19. "As your bishop, I have an obligation to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us. In response to COVID-19, the Diocese of Little Rock is trying to be pro-active rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain measures must be put in place in an effort to “flatten the curve” such that the spike in COVID-19 cases is not too high, too fast, such that our healthcare ... More
Bishop greets those to become Catholic
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor met nearly 600 catechumens and candidates during four Rite of Election services across the Diocese of Little Rock Feb. 27 - March 2. Each year, bishops in dioceses worldwide personally welcome those going through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process during the Rite of Election, a special service usually held at the beginning of Lent. The rite was held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro Feb. 27; St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers Feb. 29; Christ the King Church in Little Rock March 1; and St. Edward Church ... More
