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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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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Mass music is meant for whole assembly’s full, active participation Dr. Linda Webster Music — it soothes the soul and shouts praise to our creator. It expresses joy, sorrow, hope and even gives voice to our fears. We’ve all sung from the time we were children. |
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For what are you preparing? Last minute shopping or Christ’s birth? Betsy Wiederkehr Huss The anticipation is growing. The preparation is excelling. The wait is almost over. Are you exhausted or exuberant? |
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Apocryphal writings good source of information on Mary, her parents Sister Cabrini Schmitz, OSB The Church celebrates many feasts of Mary, the Mother of God, in the course of the liturgical year. Some of Mary’s feasts have definite ties with the Gospels while others have no reference in Scripture. For example, no hint of the two feasts in the fall — the Nativity of Mary on Sept. |
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All should enter the Mass prepared to worship and draw near to Christ Father James P. West On the night before his death, Our Lord sits down at table with his Apostles for the Last Supper. Solemnly, in the most serious tone they have ever heard from him, he begins to speak, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me — one who is eating with me.” |
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Our eyes have not seen what our hearts can only imagine of heaven Judy Hoelzeman “Heaven seems a lot closer in a house beside the water.” It was just a saying embroidered on a couch pillow in a vacation house. But add the expanse of Montana’s Canyon Ferry Lake outside the window, along with a deer grazing 10 feet away, and heaven really did seem close. |
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Chain letters are harmful when belief in power damages faith in God Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB A form of superstition that seemed to wane in recent decades has received a new lease on life from the Internet: the chain letter. |
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Welcoming a stranger is not just polite; it is a command from God Msgr. Richard Oswald The U.S. Census Bureau recently released figures estimating that since the year 2000 the Hispanic population of Arkansas has risen by 51 percent to 130,846. Hispanic immigration during the past 20 years has doubled the total number of Catholics in the Diocese of Little Rock. |
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Spirit within makes us all a ‘Pentecost’ people capable of greatness Deacon John Marschewski Growing up in eastern Arkansas, I had wonderful Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (Sister Louis Joseph, Sister Maude Michelle, Sister Catherine Louise and Sister Louise Frances) who gave me a solid foundation in my Catholic faith for which I am forever grateful. |
