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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.
Bishop announces pastoral appointments
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments for the Diocese of Little Rock on June 30, 2017. Effective Aug. 15: Rev. Michael Sinkler appointed chaplain for the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as chaplain at St. Bernard Hospital in Jonesboro and pastor of St. Norbert Church in Marked Tree and St. Anthony Church in Weiner; Rev. Udochukwu Vincent Ogbuji, priest of the Diocese of Umuahia, Nigeria, to leave the service of the Diocese of Little Rock. ... More
Safe environment changes effective July 1
The Diocese of Little Rock is making two significant changes to its safe environment training "to improve quality, increase efficiency and better focus efforts on areas of greatest importance," said Deacon Matt Glover, chancellor for canonical affairs. The changes, which take effect July 1, include switching from VIRTUS to CMG Connect and simplifying who must be trained and how background checks are done. "These changes come as a result of a months-long process of analyzing what we’ve been doing and how we can do it better, and they have been vetted by multiple employees, volunteers ... More
Peter, Paul overcame fears to follow Christ
The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles is celebrated on June 29. Though it is a solemnity, it is not a holy day of obligation. The tradition of honoring these saints on the same day goes back to the early Church. “Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching and their confession of faith.” ... More
11 students complete theology institute
The diocese's Faith Formation Office recognized 11 students on June 3 for completing Little Rock Theology Institute's three-year program in theology. Five of these are set to earn their bachelor’s degree in theology through St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. They are: Justin Coussoule, of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville; Mary Jo Honeycutt, of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith; Deacon Steve Mallett, of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton; Sean Rommel of Sacred Heart Church in Texarkana, Texas; and David Rouch of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Magnolia. ... More
Message of Sacred Heart of Jesus is love
This year, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated Friday, June 23. It is not a holy day of obligation. Although devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus goes back many centuries, it was not celebrated universally in the Church until 1856 when Pope Pius IX made it a solemnity. It is always celebrated after the octave of Corpus Christi or 19 days after Pentecost Sunday. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents his divine love for humanity, demonstrated most tangibly by the sacrifice of his life for our sins. "Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his passion, and gave himself ... More
John the Baptist prepared way for Jesus
The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24. Though it is a solemnity, it is not a holy day of obligation. From the moment of conception, a relationship was established between Jesus and John. An angel appeared to an elderly Zechariah and told him his wife, Elizabeth, who had been unable to have children, would give birth to a son to be named John. "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God." (Luke 1:5-25) The angel's predictions began to come true only ... More
St. Joseph is patron saint of Father's Day
St. Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, is the model of fatherhood. His faith and obedience to God inspired his devotion for his family. As we prepare to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday, June 18, it might be helpful to study his example. In "Five Lessons from St. Joseph," author Randy Hain points out attributes that serve as a helpful guide: 1.) St. Joseph was obedient. 2.) St. Joseph was selfless; 3.) St. Joseph led by example; 4.) St. Joseph was a worker; and 5.) St. Joseph was a leader. "Let’s look to the inspiring example of St. Joseph, patron saint ... More
Corpus Christi highlights Real Presence
The Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, honors the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is the "source and summit of the Christian life." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1324) Christ is present in many ways in his Church, but his presence in the Eucharist is unique. In the Eucharist, Jesus is present in body, blood, soul and divinity. It is called the "real presence" because Jesus is truly present in the "fullest sense." He "makes himself wholly and entirely present" under the appearance of bread and wine. ... More
