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Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
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Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Bishop: Dec. 9 is a holy day of obligation
"My brothers and sisters in Christ, the feast of the Immaculate Conception is the patronal feast of the United States and is a holy day of obligation. For a period of time, when this feast fell on a Monday or a Saturday, as it does this year, it was not obligatory. However, the Vatican recently clarified that even when a holy day of obligation is transferred to a Saturday or Monday, there remains the obligation to attend Mass on that day. Elsewhere in the United States a few bishops have made an exception for their diocese, lifting the obligation. We have not done that here. ... More
Share time, talent and treasure this Advent
Advent begins Sunday, Dec. 1. The word "advent" originated from the Latin "adventus," which means coming. The season of Advent, therefore, is the preparation for the coming of Jesus, first through his birth and ultimately, his coming again in glory at the end of time. This year it runs from Dec. 1-24. Pope Francis encouraged people to carefully prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord with prayer and charity in a 2023 reflection on the season's purpose. "A good program for Advent," he suggested, would be "to encounter Jesus coming in every brother and ... More
Say St. Andrew Christmas Novena in Advent
We celebrate the feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle on Nov. 30. His feast day leads us right into the season of Advent, which is fitting since he was the first of the Twelve Apostles to be called by Jesus. Advent, which begins Dec. 1 this year, is a season of joy and anticipation for the coming of the Lord. St. Andrew's example of this is evident in the Scriptures. After St. John the Baptist pointed out the "Lamb of God," to two of his disciples, Andrew, one of the two, heard John and immediately followed Jesus. He later went to his brother, Simon, and exclaimed: ... More
Take care of retired religious Nov. 30-Dec. 1
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 in the Diocese of Little Rock. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the appeal benefits thousands of elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose religious congregations lack adequate retirement funding. Please give to those who have given a lifetime. In 2023, Catholics donated $207,284.36 to the collection in Arkansas. The Benedictines of Subiaco Abbey and the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Little Rock received a combined $92,894.84 ... More
Calix Society helps Catholics in recovery
The Calix Society of Central Arkansas, which is sponsored by the Diocese of Little Rock, helps Catholics in recovery or family members of those in recovery come together to find support and spiritual healing through the Catholic tradition. It is a unit (chapter) of the national organization, originally founded in 1947 in Minnesota to help alcoholics in recovery. In more recent years, meetings have also included those in recovery from other addictions such as drug use, gambling, sex addiction and more. All are welcome to attend Calix Society meetings, which are held monthly. ... More
Support Catholic Charities hurricane relief
Catholics in Arkansas who want to help with the recovery efforts of survivors of hurricanes Helene and Milton can donate to Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic disaster relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. "Charitable contributions can be made directly to Catholic Charities USA or sent to the Diocese of Little Rock to be forwarded," explained Dennis Lee, executive director for Catholic Charities of Arkansas. "Either way, 100 percent of all donations received will go to providing help for the people affected by these two devastating hurricanes." ... More
Donate a car to support Catholic Charities
Do you have an old car or boat collecting dust? If so, donate it to the Catholic Charities of Arkansas vehicle donation program. Cars, trucks, boats, jet skis, fourwheelers and even planes can be donated. You can donate online or by calling (844) 534-4483. The steps for donating are easy. If calling in your donation, be sure to have the vehicle information at hand, such as the Vehicle Identification Number and other data on the title. The call representative will guide you through the donation process, setting up a time and place for the vehicle to be picked up. The vehicle will be ... More
Be 'Pilgrims of Hope' in Jubilee Year 2025
Pope Francis is calling the faithful worldwide to be "Pilgrims of Hope" in the Jubilee Year 2025. He will begin the jubilee with a special rite to open the holy door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Dec. 24, 2024. Other holy doors will be opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. More than 35 million pilgrims are expected to visit the holy door along with other holy sites in Italy from Dec. 24 through the end of the jubilee year on Jan. 6, 2026. Arkansas Catholic has two pilgrimages planned next fall. Spots are still available ... More
