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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.
Velasco to be ordained to diaconate May 17
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the diaconate ordination Mass of Daniel Velasco Pérez at 6 p.m. Friday, May 17 at St. James Church in Searcy. Being ordained a transitional deacon is a major step toward priestly ordination. A reception will follow the Mass. All are invited to attend. If unable to come, set up a notification on your phone to watch the ordination live. Guests are also welcome to attend a holy hour for Velasco at 4 p.m. Friday, May 17 at St. James Church. During Eucharistic adoration and vespers, prayers will be offered for him and an increase ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes May 6
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Monday, May 6, 2019, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective July 1: Rev. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary Church in Helena, St John the Baptist Church in Brinkley, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Forrest City, St. Mary of the Lake Church in Horseshoe Lake and St. Andrew Church in Marianna to continue his ministry with the Congregation of the Holy Spirit outside of Arkansas; and Rev. Gilbert Tairo, CSSp, appointed from associate pastor ... More
Dc. Martín Amaro to be ordained May 11
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will ordain Deacon Martín Alejandro Amaro Rodriguez to the priesthood at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 in the Choir Chapel at St. Peter Basilica in Rome. He recently completed his studies for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, the seminary for American students at the Vatican. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate in Rome last September. Amaro, 27, will celebrate his first Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven in Rome on May 12. After he returns to the United States, he will be the associate pastor ... More
2019 Bible Institute about Jesus' parables
“Surprise, Shock and Gospel: Re-Interpreting the Parables of Jesus” is the theme of the 2019 Bible Institute June 21-23 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Father George Smiga, STD, will be the keynote speaker. This nationally known author and lecturer in Scripture and homiletics is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland. He is on the faculty of St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio and writes a monthly column for Living With Christ and contributes regularly to Give Us This Day. His website is buildingontheword.org. ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes April 26
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Friday, April 26, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Feb. 27: Rev. John C. Wakube excardinated from the Apostles of Jesus and incardinated into the Diocese of Little Rock. He remains pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. Effective June 12: Rev. George Sanders appointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. He remains chaplain of St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary ... More
Msgr. John O’Donnell, 91, dies April 20
Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, addressed the following letter to Diocese of Little Rock deacons and staff regarding the death of Msgr. John O’Donnell on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. "With faith in eternal life, I announce the death of Monsignor John O’Donnell. He entered eternal life on Saturday, April 20, 2019, in Little Rock, Arkansas. A native of Philadelphia, he was born on Jan. 29, 1928, and educated in the Catholic schools in the archdiocese there. He entered St. John Home Mission Seminary, Little Rock in 1946, and was ordained to the priesthood ... More
New Catholics say why they joined Church
Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Little Rock welcomed 583 new Catholics into the Church during Easter Vigil Masses Saturday, April 20. They participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process and fell into two groups: the elect and candidates. The elect had not been baptized or formed in the Christian faith and life. During the Easter Vigil, they were baptized, confirmed and receive their first Communion. Candidates were already baptized members of other Christian churches who wished to become Catholic. During the Easter Vigil, ... More
Additional pastoral changes for March, May
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Friday, March 1 and Monday, March 4, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective March 7: Rev. Ravi Rayappa Gudipalli, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. Effective May 7: Rev. Arokiasamy Madhichetty Irudayaraj, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed pastor of St. Mary Church in Arkadelphia, Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce and St. John the Baptist Church in Malvern. ... More
