Understanding Our Church
A Treasury of Arkansas Writers Discussing the Catholic Faith
Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Understanding Our Church
Explore this treasury of Arkansas writers discussing the Catholic faith on a wide variety of topics. Find what you're looking for by browsing the whole list or search by keyword or author. All articles have been reviewed for theological accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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God gives charism to each person to share, unique as DNA Sister Joan Pytlik, DC All is a gift. We all know that God is always giving us gifts like the beautiful spring flowers, the people who love us, himself in the Eucharist. |
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Easter gives 50 days to focus on ‘going forth’ in name of Jesus Judy Hoelzeman On Easter Sunday we may sing, “Jesus Christ is risen today” but the mystery and joy of the resurrection could never be expressed in a single day. |
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Vatican II exposed Catholics to greater quantity, variety of Scripture Deacon Mike Cumnock During this Lenten season the Church, through the Liturgy of the Word, unites itself with the mystery of Jesus in the desert. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 540) |
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Children can help their parents grow deeper in faith, holiness Edward C. Dodge I love one of St. John Paul’s images for how we are the “image of God.” The pope taught that in Genesis 1, God created humanity as a relationship — “male and female he created them” — thereby emphasizing the couple’s relationship as an incarnation of trinitarian unity. |
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Advent season celebrates Christ coming to us now and at death Father Jerome Kodell, OSB As the new year begins, we are completing the time in the Church’s year of worship which highlights the Advent of the Savior. |
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Confession not just avoiding sin, but growing relationship with God Deacon Mike Cumnock My introduction to the sacrament of reconciliation was not a particularly pleasant one. In those days, fear, the Baltimore Catechism and the sisters who taught in my school set the tone. |
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Spiritual communion available when unable to receive Eucharist Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB In his encyclical, "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" ("A Eucharistic Church"), in April 2003, Pope John Paul II encouraged th |
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Foundation of Catholic rituals, practices is found in Jewish tradition Dr. Linda Webster From the altar to the procession up the aisle, from the scriptural prayers of the liturgy to our belief in almighty God, we Catholics owe much to our Jewish brethren. |
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Though many forms of prayer exist, most important is to just do it Judy Hoelzeman We Catholics pray in every way imaginable. Our prayer lives are as diverse as we are. Our different personalities, abilities and limits make our prayer intensely personal. We pray in so many ways, too, because we are influenced by two millennia of rich spirituality and holiness. |
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Great schism divided the Church but apostolic succession remains Msgr. Richard Oswald With the fall of the Roman Empire, Rome, the once mighty capitol faded, and the city of Constantinople ascended to become a great center of political and economic power. Eventually this political and economic divide would lead to a theological schism. |
