Official Website of the
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.
To our new Catholics: Welcome!
Catholic parishes across Arkansas welcomed 665 new Catholics into the Church during Easter Vigil Masses March 26. They participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process. Those who had never been baptized received all three sacraments of initiation — baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. Those who had been baptized in another Christian church made their profession of faith in the Catholic Church, were confirmed and received their first Communion. The list of all who entered the Church in Arkansas can be found in the March 26 issue ... More
Youth convention to feature Mark Hart
The 66th annual Diocese of Little Rock Catholic Youth Convention will be held May 6-8 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. This year's featured speaker is "Bible Geek" Mark Hart, a nationally known speaker, SiriusXM satellite radio host for the Catholic Channel and executive vice president of Life Teen International. He will speak to the theme: "Courage Means We Refuse to be Mastered by Fear." In addition to the keynote speaker, the conference will include skits, praise and worship music, prayer, workshops, small group discussion, Mass, a dinner banquet and dance. ... More
Bishop announces pastoral appointments
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments for the Diocese of Little Rock on Friday, April 1 and April 6, 2016: Effective May 22 — Rev. Aaron Pirrera, OSB, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Benedict Church in Subiaco to return to Subiaco Abbey; Rev. Mark Stengel, OSB, appointed pastor of St. Benedict Church in Subiaco. This is in addition to his responsibilities in Subiaco Abbey; Effective May 25 — Rev. Frank V. DuPreez relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff; Holy Cross Church in Sheridan and St. Mary Church in Plum Bayou, to cover St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fayetteville ... More
Safe environment changes now effective
Changes to improve and simplify the Diocese of Little Rock’s Safe Environment Program became effective March 1. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor explained the changes in his Decree of Changes to Safe Environment Policies and Procedures for all diocesan, school and parish employees and volunteers, when it was issued in February. The policies, which were put in place in 2002 after the U.S. Catholic bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, were re-evaluated under the direction of Matt Glover, chancellor for canonical affairs. ... More
Seminarians take steps toward ordination
Seven seminarians from the Diocese of Little Rock took steps toward their ordinations recently. Six made their deacon promises at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana. They are: Michael Johns of Jonesboro; Martin Siebold of North Little Rock; Luke Womack of Hot Springs; William Burmester of Conway; and Stephen Hart and Ramses Mendieta of Little Rock. The special Mass was celebrated March 3 in the school’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. From May 18 to June 2, all six men will be ordained transitional deacons in their home parishes in Arkansas. ... More
Help spread God's mercy in diocese
The 2016 Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) begins Feb. 6-7 in parishes across Arkansas. A recorded homily from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will be played at all Masses in English and Spanish and pledge envelopes will be handed out asking parishioners to meet this year's $2 million goal. CASA supports various diocesan, parish and school ministries. This year's theme focuses on the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which continues through Nov. 20. "This is the first jubilee in history in which holy doors are to be opened in all dioceses, not just in Rome. Ours is at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Little Rock. Access to our holy door is available every day, but starting this weekend, the first Saturday of every month ... More
Share your Lenten recipes by Feb. 3
Fasting and abstaining during Lent present both an opportunity for devotion and a dietary challenge, especially for family meals. Arkansas Catholic’s annual Lenten section will share recipes from readers to help meet that challenge. Please send us your best recipes for the following: vegetarian meals; and family traditional Lenten foods. Send recipes to Malea Hargett, Arkansas Catholic, P.O. Box 7417, Little Rock AR 72217. To consider your recipe for publication, it must be submitted by Feb. 3. Lent begins Feb. 10. To help you prepare for this holy season of prayer, fasting ... More
Religious educators honored for service
Two parish religious educators were honored during the annual Parish Catechetical Leaders' Banquet and Retreat at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock on Jan. 15-16. Belinda Ortner, director of religious education and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults coordinator for St.... More
