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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.
Catholic schools closed for school year
Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, made the following decision on Monday, April 6, 2020: "As per Governor Hutchinson’s announcement and with the approval of Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Little Rock will not have onsite instruction for the remainder of this school year. The schools are to continue to use AMI days focusing on the core subjects and most important standards in our curriculum." This decision comes after closing schools first on March 16-30 to minimize the spread of COVID-19. On March 19 the decision was made to keep schools ... More
Bishop offers ways to celebrate Holy Week
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor mandated the suspension of all public Masses through April 15, which includes Holy Week and Easter. The Vatican's "Decree in the Time of COVID-19," released March 25, declared that since the date of Easter cannot be moved, "bishops and priests may celebrate the rites of Holy Week without the presence of the people and in a suitable place, avoiding concelebration and omitting the sign of peace." This means the laity are to celebrate the holiest week of the liturgical year at home. "The decree encourages pastors ... More
Make sure you're counted in 2020 census
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor supports the efforts of the 2020 census to count every person who lives in the United States. Every person living in your home needs to be counted. That includes children and newborn babies, citizens and noncitizens, relatives and nonrelatives and even those staying with you temporarily. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year for schools, health care facilities, roads and social services. Your responses to the census are safe and secure. ... More
Support seminarians online Holy Thursday
The annual Holy Thursday Collection for Seminarian Education will be held April 9. The money from this Diocese of Little Rock collection will support the educational and housing expenses of the diocese's seminarians. Since the collection was established in 2010, the money has been able to support the seminarian’s urgent needs. “Since that time you have donated over $3,461,330.47,” vocations director Msgr. Scott Friend wrote in letter to parishioners. “As of 2009, Bishop Taylor has ordained 36 new priests.” A donation envelope will also be inserted in the April 4 issue ... More
Update: Catholic schools closed to April 17
UPDATE: Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, announced March 19, 2020, that Catholic schools will now remain closed through April 17. This is an update to her previous letter below, issued on March 14, informing parents of the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas from March 16-30: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes March 17
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments March 17, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Feb. 24: Rev. Arokiasamy Madhichetty Irudayaraj, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce. He remains pastor of St. Mary Church in Arkadelphia, and St. John the Baptist in Malvern; Rev. Joseph Marconi, appointed pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Fordyce. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff, Holy Cross Church in Sheridan, and St. Mary Church ... More
Bishop abuse reporting service launched
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, issued the following letter, March 16, 2020, about the creation of a third-party reporting system to specifically report and assess allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct with minors by bishops: "Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "Following guidance from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, "Vos Estis Lux Mundi" ("You are the light of the world"), the bishops of the United States met this past fall to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church. The result of that meeting ... More
Catholic schools closed effective March 16
Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic schools, issued the following letter, March 14, 2020, to parents announcing the closure of all Catholic schools in Arkansas beginning March 16, 2020: "Dear Parents, In an effort to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, especially to the most vulnerable among us, the Catholic Schools Office, with approval from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, has decided to close all the Catholic schools beginning March 16 until March 30, 2020. In response to COVID-19, we are trying to be proactive rather than reactive. Accordingly, certain ... More
