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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.
Holy Family is Role Model for All Families
We celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph during the Christmas season. The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes the 1964 homily of Pope Paul VI on the feast of the Holy Family: “May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simply beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character.” (no. 533) And St. Pope John Paul II marveled at God's plan for the incarnation in his Dec., 31, 1978 homily: "The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem gave rise to this unique and exceptional family in the history of mankind. In this family ... More
We need a Savior and today we have one
"'Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'" (Luke 2:10-14) Merry Christmas! The word, "Christmas" is derived from the Greek, "Christos," which means ... More
Christmas crèche arouses awe and wonder
St. Francis of Assisi set up the first Nativity Scene on Christmas Eve in 1223. He invited villagers and friars from Greccio, Italy, to gather for Mass at his manger. He set it up in a cave with live animals and feeding trough converted into a crib. He said, “I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger, and how the ox and ass stood by.” The tradition grew and people began constructing nativity scenes in their homes. A nativity scene or crèche may be made ... More
Make Christmas brighter for retired priests
The annual Christmas collection is the primary source of income for the Clergy Welfare Fund, which supports 15 senior (retired) and infirm priests of the Diocese of Little Rock. This special collection will be taken up during all Masses at Catholic parishes in Arkansas on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. "Many of these priests continue a life of service by hearing confessions, praying for parishes and congregations and even substituting in parishes for pastors absent due to vacation or illness," wrote Bishop Anthony B. Taylor in a letter to be read at all Christmas ... More
Jubilee Year 2025 Opening Mass is Dec. 29
The Diocese of Little Rock will kick off its celebration of Jubilee Year 2025 with a special procession and Mass on Sunday. Dec. 29 in Little Rock. It begins with a half-mile procession from St. Edward Church to the Cathedral of St. Andrew at 2:30 p.m. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will then celebrate a bilingual Mass at 3:15 p.m. at the Cathedral. During the Mass, he will give an apostolic blessing to all in attendance. Refreshments will be served after Mass in McDonald Hall. An apostolic blessing, also known as a papal blessing, includes a plenary indulgence and may be given ... More
2025 Confirmation Retreat will be Feb. 16
The 2025 Diocese of Little Rock Confirmation Retreat will be held Sunday, Feb. 16 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. This peer-led event is open to Catholic youth who are preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation during the school year. It is available to small parishes lacking the resources to organize their own retreat and any youth unable to attend a confirmation retreat in their own parish. This year's theme is "Renewed." Focusing on the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, activities will include praise and worship music, games, skits, videos ... More
Count down to Christmas with O Antiphons
An antiphon is verse that is sung or recited to give emphasis to what follows, such as a prayer, psalm, Scripture or canticle. The O Antiphons are an ancient, Advent tradition that refer to the seven antiphons that come before the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary) in the Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours from Dec. 17-23. They cover the special time of Advent known as the Octave before Christmas, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. No one knows the exact origin of the O Antiphons, but Roman Catholics have been singing them ... More
Share joy and hope on Gaudete Sunday
"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God; to comfort all who mourn ..." (Isaiah 61:1-2) These words begin the first reading on the third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday. "Gaudete" (pronounced gow-deh-tay) is Latin for "rejoice," which refers to the first word of the entrance antiphon. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! ... More
