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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.
Safe environment changes now effective
Changes to improve and simplify the Diocese of Little Rock’s Safe Environment Program became effective March 1. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor explained the changes in his Decree of Changes to Safe Environment Policies and Procedures for all diocesan, school and parish employees and volunteers, when it was issued in February. The policies, which were put in place in 2002 after the U.S. Catholic bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, were re-evaluated under the direction of Matt Glover, chancellor for canonical affairs. ... More
Seminarians take steps toward ordination
Seven seminarians from the Diocese of Little Rock took steps toward their ordinations recently. Six made their deacon promises at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana. They are: Michael Johns of Jonesboro; Martin Siebold of North Little Rock; Luke Womack of Hot Springs; William Burmester of Conway; and Stephen Hart and Ramses Mendieta of Little Rock. The special Mass was celebrated March 3 in the school’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. From May 18 to June 2, all six men will be ordained transitional deacons in their home parishes in Arkansas. ... More
Add works of mercy to Lenten practice
Our Father beckons: "Return to me with your whole heart." Each Lent the Church offers us a 40-day retreat designed to help us respond to God's call. Lent is the primary penitential season of the liturgical year. We partake in Lent with prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The Triduum is the liturgical celebration to help us embrace the ultimate act of love: Jesus' passion, death and resurrection, the foundation of the Christian faith. We offer the following resources to help you ... More
Grow spiritual roots with Arkansas Catholic
Here is one way you can grow in your family of faith. Subscribe to Arkansas Catholic and stay connected to your Catholic family each week. Arkansas Catholic, the award-winning weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock, offers complete print and digital subscriptions. Subscribe through one of the following ways: The print edition is delivered to your mailbox every week. Subscriptions are only $26 a year ($24 for seniors). Subscription envelopes are available at the church or by calling (501) 664-0125. Or you can get Arkansas Catholic Digital the same day it’s published ... More
Help spread God's mercy in diocese
The 2016 Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) begins Feb. 6-7 in parishes across Arkansas. A recorded homily from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will be played at all Masses in English and Spanish and pledge envelopes will be handed out asking parishioners to meet this year's $2 million goal. CASA supports various diocesan, parish and school ministries. This year's theme focuses on the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which continues through Nov. 20. "This is the first jubilee in history in which holy doors are to be opened in all dioceses, not just in Rome. Ours is at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Little Rock. Access to our holy door is available every day, but starting this weekend, the first Saturday of every month ... More
Events celebrate marriage in February
National Marriage Week will be celebrated Feb. 7-14. In addition to being Valentine's Day, the week's celebration concludes with World Marriage Day on Feb. 14. These events provide an opportunity "to celebrate the gift and blessing of marriage and to affirm and support engaged and married couples," said Bishop Richard Malone, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. The diocesan Family Life Office is sponsoring several events this month to provide marriage enrichment, support for troubled marriages and education for couples preparing for marriage. These include: Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a weekend experience ... More
Day for Consecrated Life to be Feb. 6-7
In 1997, Pope John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb. 2. This feast, traditionally called Candlemas Day, is celebrated 40 days after Christmas and recalls when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God in the temple. During this Mass, candles are blessed symbolizing Christ, the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Christ to all people. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday ... More
Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 31-Feb. 6
Each winter, Catholic schools nationwide celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This year, it is being held Jan. 31-Feb. 6, marking the 42nd anniversary of the observance. The theme: "Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service," notes the values at the heart of a Catholic education. First, schools are small communities of faith within the larger community of home, church, city and nation. Second, faith, knowledge and service are the measures by which any Catholic school should be judged. "Catholic schools ... More
