Father Gregory Hart, 59, dies Nov. 14

Published: November 16, 2017

Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, addressed the following letter to the priests the Diocese of Little Rock regarding the death of Father Gregory Hart on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. To learn more, read Bishop Anthony B. Taylor's homily from the Mass of Christian burial at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Nov. 20, 2017.

"With faith in eternal life I announce the death of Father Gregory G. Hart. Father died on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Springdale.

"Born in Kennett, Missouri March 12, 1958 to Edward and Christina (Kordsmeier) Hart, he attended St. Theresa Elementary School and Catholic High School, (both in) Little Rock. After graduation from the University of Dallas, he was assigned to the North American College in Rome, where he earned his licentiate in sacred theology in 1985, the year after he was ordained to the sacred priesthood in the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on June 30, 1984.

"His parochial assignments included associate pastor at St. Patrick in North Little Rock and St. John in Hot Springs before being named pastor of St. Michael in West Memphis and its mission of Sacred Heart in Crawfordsville. He was then named pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman in Mountain Home and its mission of Yellville, followed by pastor of Mary, Mother of God in Harrison. In 2010 Father Hart was named pastor of St. Joseph in Tontitown, during which time he also ministered to the Latin Mass community.

"There will be services held at both St. Joseph in Tontitown and the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock as follows: Visitation will occur at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 at St. Joseph Church in Tontitown (192 East Henri de Tonti Blvd. (Hwy. 412), Springdale), with rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at St. Joseph with Msgr. Scott Marczuk presiding. A reception and lunch will follow.

"A second visitation will occur at the Cathedral of St. Andrew at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, with rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian burial will occur in Little Rock at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20 at the Cathedral with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor presiding. A reception will follow in McDonald Hall. Interment will then occur at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock in a private ceremony.

"Father Greg was a faithful and loving priest for 33 years, and served the people of God well throughout. He will be missed by his brother priests, his family and extended relatives, and those he served so well in his priestly ministry.

"Please offer three Masses for the happy repose of his soul and please pray for vocations."

Fraternally yours in Christ,
Msgr. Francis I. Malone, JCL, PA
Chancellor for Ecclesial Affairs

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may he and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.