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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.
Charismatic conference marks 50 years
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the opening Mass for the 2021 Arkansas Catholic Charismatic Conference at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 23 at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock. This event, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will be held July 23-25. In addition to Mass, the conference will offer praise and worship music, prayer, workshops, a healing service, eucharistic adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation and vendors selling Catholic items and books. Programs are available for children, teens and adults. See full conference schedule. Visit the website ... More
Father Ralph Esposito, 80, dies May 14
Father Greg Luyet, judicial vicar, sent the following letter, Monday, May 17, 2021, to diocesan priests regarding the death of Father Ralph Esposito on May 14. "With faith in eternal life, I announce the death of Father Ralph J. Esposito. He died on May 14, 2021 in New Castle, Pennsylvania where he had moved following his retirement to be closer to his family. A memorial Mass will take place at a later date per the wishes of Father Esposito. There will be no public viewing. He will be buried at St. Vitus Cemetery in New Castle, Pennsylvania. As is our custom, please offer ... More
Five men to be ordained priests May 29
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will ordain five men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Little Rock at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 29 at Barton Coliseum located on the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock. They are: Deacons Alex Smith, Emmanuel Torres, Omar Galván, Brian Cundall and Ben Riley. A holy hour to pray for these men and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life will be held the night before at 6:30 p.m. at St. Edward Church. This will be the first time the diocese has hosted an ordination at Barton Coliseum. Bishop Francis I. Malone of Shreveport ... More
Nieto, Wendel to be ordained deacons
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will ordain two Diocese of Little Rock seminarians to the diaconate in May. They are Jaime Nieto and Daniel Wendel. Through this process they will become transitional deacons, which is a major step toward priestly ordination. The diaconate ordination Mass for Jaime Nieto will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Friday, May 21 at St. Raphael Church in Springdale. This Mass will be livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page. A holy hour will precede the ordination at 4 p.m. Prayers will be offered for him, his continued discernment of priesthood and an increase ... More
Mask-wearing optional, but recommended
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following letter, May 9, 2021, to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock about further loosening the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our parishes. "Now that most Arkansans over the age of 16 have access to a coronavirus vaccination, I have sought the advice of the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council regarding next steps, and so today I am pleased to promulgate two things. First a further loosening of the anti-COVID-19 protocols that for over a year have prevented an outbreak of disease in any of our parishes ... More
Father Robert Dienert, 90, dies on May 9
Father Robert Dienert, a diocesan priest for 58 years, died on Sunday, May 9. He was 90. A rosary and vigil service will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 12 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche). The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 13, also at Immaculate Heart of Mary, with burial to follow in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Msgr. James O’Connell Seminarian Fund, Diocese of Little Rock, P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217-7565. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor addressed the following letter to all priests ... More
June youth rally to feature Steve Angrisano
The "Glory on the Grounds United Through Faith Youth Rally" will be held Sunday, June 6 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. This event, open to incoming seventh graders to outgoing 12th graders, is the first statewide, in-person event hosted by the Catholic Youth Ministry Office since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. The outdoor event will be held on the grounds of the offices for the Diocese of Little Rock at 2500 N. Tyler St. Parish check-in will begin at 10 a.m. The program will begin with music at 10:45 a.m. followed by a skit and opening prayer lead by the Youth Advisory Council ... More
Pray rosary marathon to end the pandemic
Pope Francis first appealed to Catholics worldwide to pray the rosary to end the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. In Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary. Now, as the virus rages on in places like India, he is asking the faithful again to dedicate the month of May to a "marathon of prayer,' which "rises continuously from the entire Church to the Father" to end this global threat. See How to Pray the Rosary Guide. The theme: "Prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God" (Acts 12:5) refers to the faithful praying for Peter (Acts 12:1-12) "who was imprisoned ... More
