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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Reconciliation is necessary, natural in relationship with God, Church Sister Mary Lou Stubbs, DC Getting to your destination on the streets and highways of this hazardous world requires that your vehicle gets ongoing maintenance and occasional repairs. |
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Practicing our faith is something to do every day, not just on Sundays Judy Hoelzeman The Second Vatican Council’s “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church” uses the ancient term “domestic church” (ecclesia domestica) to describe the family. |
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The Eucharist, the original Thanksgiving, is the eternal gift from God Sister Cabrini Schmitz, OSB Table of plenty! Table of hospitality! Next Thursday Americans all over the world will gather somewhere to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Family and friends will travel miles to sit around tables rich with choice festive foods. |
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Through baptism all are united in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ Msgr. Richard Oswald In an address to the clergy of Rome in February 1997, Pope John Paul II said, “To be a true help to young people and to all involved in the mission of the Church, and to live fully our own priesthood, it is essential to always to put Jesus at the center of our efforts. St. |
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In Bible, God’s saving Word comes to us in a real and personal way Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB Since the Second Vatican Council, the lives of many Catholics have been enriched and transformed by their reading, study and meditation of the Bible. |
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We experience Jesus’ touch through seven sacraments of the Church Deacon John Marschewski Catholics my age or older, for the most part, grew up with the traditional Baltimore Catechism definition of a sacrament. I believe that definition went like this: “A sacrament is an outward (visible) sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” |
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Mystery of God to be explored through sacraments, Scripture, prayer Msgr. Richard Oswald In every celebration of the Eucharist, following the consecration of the bread and wine, the celebrant issues the invitation, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” All sing out a profession of their faith in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection and his promise to return in glory. |
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Allowing only priests to purify vessels is sign of reverence for Eucharist Charlotte Miller The announcement that extraordinary ministers of holy Communion (previously known as eucharistic ministers) will no longer purify Communion vessels has caused somewhat of a stir among the laity — perhaps among the ordained, also, but I am not privy to their responses. |
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Do we really think about what we say we believe in the creed? Sandy Compas Every Sunday at Mass, between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we stand together to profess our faith. “We believe in one God … We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ … We believe in the Holy Spirit … We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church …” |
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‘Love your enemies’ was not an optional commandment from Jesus Sister Rosalie Ruesewald, OSB Love of enemy. Whatever happened to it? Imagine what this world would look like today if all Christians took seriously Jesus’ command and example of unconditional love for enemy as well as for friend. |
