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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.
Msgr. John O’Donnell, 91, dies April 20
Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, addressed the following letter to Diocese of Little Rock deacons and staff regarding the death of Msgr. John O’Donnell on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. "With faith in eternal life, I announce the death of Monsignor John O’Donnell. He entered eternal life on Saturday, April 20, 2019, in Little Rock, Arkansas. A native of Philadelphia, he was born on Jan. 29, 1928, and educated in the Catholic schools in the archdiocese there. He entered St. John Home Mission Seminary, Little Rock in 1946, and was ordained to the priesthood ... More
New Catholics say why they joined Church
Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Little Rock welcomed 583 new Catholics into the Church during Easter Vigil Masses Saturday, April 20. They participated in their parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process and fell into two groups: the elect and candidates. The elect had not been baptized or formed in the Christian faith and life. During the Easter Vigil, they were baptized, confirmed and receive their first Communion. Candidates were already baptized members of other Christian churches who wished to become Catholic. During the Easter Vigil, ... More
Healing Mass set for Divine Mercy Sunday
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate a Mass of Hope and Healing for survivors of child sexual abuse on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 28, at 5 p.m. in Morris Hall Chapel on the campus of St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Anyone who wishes to pray for victims, their families and friends is welcome to attend this Mass and reception to follow. The Mass is being held in April for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness of and preventing child abuse (whether sexual, physical or emotional). This event is sponsored by ... More
Give to seminarian fund on Holy Thursday
The annual Holy Thursday Collection for Seminarian Education will be held April 18. The money from this Diocese of Little Rock collection will support the educational and housing expenses of the diocese's seminarians. In the past 10 years, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor has ordained 34 men to the priesthood for our diocese. This includes eight ordinations in 2018 alone. It was the largest ordination class in more than 60 years, and also lowered the average age of diocesan priests from 65 to 49. It costs $36,000 per year to form the men studying for the priesthood for our diocese. ... More
Easter Triduum reveals Paschal Mystery
The word, "triduum" (TRIH-du-um) comes from the Latin word meaning, "three days." The Easter Triduum celebrates the three days of Christ's passion, death and resurrection, the most sacred time of the liturgical year. It begins at sundown on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point at the Easter Vigil, and concludes with evening prayer at sundown on Easter Sunday. It is also known as the Sacred Triduum or Paschal Triduum. The liturgical celebrations of the Easter Triduum are rich in symbolism and flow from one to the other in a seamless way. ... More
Enter into Holy Week on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is celebrated the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week. We begin this feast by reenacting the events of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We put ourselves there, with all those who had gathered to celebrate the Passover feast. We see Jesus approaching the city, riding on a colt, and get excited because we have heard the stories about the miracles he has performed. We wave our palm branches and cry out: "'Hosanna!'" "'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.'" "'Hosanna in the highest!'" (Luke 19: 28-40 and Mark 11:1-10) ... More
Chrism oil opens door to all the sacraments
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on Monday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. Priests from across the Diocese of Little Rock concelebrate this Mass. All are welcome to attend. This unique liturgy invites the entire assembly to renew its baptismal promises and for deacons and priests to renew their vow of obedience to the bishop and their commitment to serve God’s people. The bishop also blesses the anointing oils to be used in sacraments and dedications in the coming year. These include the oil for the sick, ... More
During rite initiates take step into Church
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor met nearly 600 catechumens and candidates during four Rite of Election services in the Diocese of Little Rock March 7-11. Each year, bishops in dioceses worldwide personally welcome those going through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process during the Rite of Election, a special service usually held at the beginning of Lent. The rite was held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro March 7; St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers March 9; Christ the King Church in Little Rock March 10; and St. Edward Church in Texarkana March 11. ... More
