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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.
Marriage Encounter to be held Sept. 23-25
Married couples are invited to attend the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend Sept. 23-25 at Coury House Retreat Center on the grounds of Subiaco Abbey. Encuentro Matrimonial, the Spanish-language version of this program, will be held Nov. 11-13 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Marriage Encounter allows married couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, where they can focus on each other and their relationship. Couples learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing marriage. ... More
Religious jubilarians to be honored Sept. 17
Sister Joan Pytlik, DC, diocesan minister for religious, along with the Diocesan Council of Religious will host the annual Religious Jubilarian Day Saturday, Sept. 17 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock. During the daylong event, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will honor religious men and women who are celebrating special anniversaries in religious life at a noon Mass. All are invited to attend. In addition to the Mass, this event will include prayer, lunch, dialogue with Bishop Taylor and “Islam in the Year of Mercy," a program presented by Imam Mahmoud al-denawy of the Islamic Center of Little Rock, Alaa Eldamaty, vice president of Islamic Center of Little Rock, and Sophia Said, program director ... More
Pre-Cana Day held for engaged couples
Are you planning to get married in a Catholic church in Arkansas? If so, find out what you need to do by reading the Getting Married Guide. Because marriage is lifelong, the Church wants to help you build a strong, lasting marriage. For this reason, couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are asked to spend several months in marriage preparation. As part of that preparation, couples are asked to take part in a marriage education program. One of the educational options in the Diocese of Little Rock is Pre-Cana Day, a one-day retreat for engaged couples to spend time together reflecting on their relationship and future marriage. During this event, married couples present talks on the sacrament of marriage, ... More
Assumption gives hope to awaiting faithful
The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated Aug. 15. This feast recognizes that Jesus' mother was "taken up body and soul into heavenly glory" when her "earthly life was finished." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 966) Normally this solemnity would be a holy day of obligation, but since it falls on a Monday this year, the requirement to attend Mass is relaxed. Although Catholic teaching on this event goes back to the earliest days of Christianity, it was not declared a dogma of faith until 1950 by Pope Pius XII. In his apostolic constitution, "Munificentissimus Deus," the holy father explains the effects of original sin, and how Mary, who was preserved from original sin and remained sinless ... More
Adoration offers treasure beyond measure
Pope Francis has repeatedly encouraged the faithful to spend time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In a recent message to those preparing for the Eucharistic Congress in Genoa, Italy Sept. 15-18, he said, “I want to encourage everyone to visit — if possible, every day — especially amid life’s difficulties, the Blessed Sacrament of the infinite love of Christ and his mercy, preserved in our churches, and often abandoned, to speak filially with him, to listen to him in silence, and to peacefully entrust yourself to him." He joins many who have come before him in highlighting the spiritual fruits of eucharistic adoration. "The Church and the world have a great need for eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. ... More
24 spiritual directors certified by diocese
The first class of the School of Spiritual Direction was recognized for completing the three-year program during a special Mass June 11 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Msgr. Scott Friend, VG, concelebrated the Mass along with Father Rubén Quinteros and retired Father Robert Dienert. During the Mass, 24 new spiritual directors were certified to minister in the Diocese of Little Rock, allowing them to guide individuals who seek to follow God's will for their lives and deepen their relationship with him. A total of 31 people, which included Father Dienert, ... More
Celebrate gift of freedom through prayer
The United States celebrates its independence July 4. In addition to fireworks and picnics, this is a good day to thank God for our freedom and remember not to take it for granted. During the Fortnight for Freedom, which ends July 4, we have been asked to pray, act and deepen our awareness of religious freedom and its importance. We also celebrate the feasts of St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Peter and Paul and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, who were all great martyrs that remained faithful in the face of persecution ... More
Nine complete theology institute in 2016
Little Rock Theology Institute recognized nine students June 4, for completing the adult faith formation program's three-year coursework in theology. The following students received certificates of completion: Joe Redden of St. Edward Church, Texarkana (back row from left); Nick Moseley of St. Louis Church, Camden; Michael Smith and Debbie Meiklejohn, both of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Little Rock; Dawn Ward of St. Joseph Church, Conway (front row, from left); Kathy Dust of St. Paul Church, Pocahontas; Dede O’Bar of Our Lady of the Assumption Church ... More
