aSpire: News from the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock

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March 29, 2019

Students and faculty from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville pack into Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Leo the Great University Parish March 6. The modified house has served students for 23 years but seats only about 55 people in the main room for Mass. (Robert Latus photo)

Church growing

News you might have missed in 200 words

It's encouraging to hear about churches opening and churches so crowded that they need a larger building. Two of these are Arkansas' newest Catholic community, officially the St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier and St. Leo University Parish at Arkansas Tech in Russellville.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor gave his blessing for weekly Masses in Greenbrier and approved naming the community for one of the Church's newest saints. As the community grows and begins to offer sacrament preparation, it could be known as a chapel or mission. Priests from St. Joseph Church in Conway are serving the community of about 50 Catholics.

The ATU Catholic center has desperately needed more room for many years. With a $900,000 bequest from a Russellville parishioner, construction will start soon on a larger facility for the university parish that serves about 200 Catholic students each week with meals, activities and two Sunday Masses.

March in review

Did you see these stories in March issues of Arkansas Catholic?

The director of Little Rock Scripture Study is retiring after 30 years with the ministry.
The Weisenfels family has expanded by adopting — and adopting, and adopting — in Jonesboro.
The newest Catholic high school in the state had a surprising first basketball season.
Meet Christy Powell, a youth minister in North Little Rock with a passion for ministry.

QUOTE UNQUOTE

"We can have great trust in God's mercy, but we must not take advantage of it. We must not justify spiritual laziness but increase our commitment to quickly responding to that mercy with a sincerity of heart."

— Pope Francis, March 24

Forward

Just one minute

Have you ever read the book of Jonah? It is short, approximately two pages. He is a strange prophet — reluctant (well, that may not be very unusual), petty, angry, despondent, and even sad that the people he preached to repent. That last one is the kicker. He actually would have preferred to see God’s fiery wrath than God’s mercy. I think that can happen to us today. Someone can hurt us deeply and we can begin to desire their pain, their destruction. How far our hearts are from God’s heart.

Reflection: Today, with God’s grace, pray for someone who has hurt you. “I want for you what God wants for you.” Notice what God is like and your experience.

— Deacon Danny Hartnedy

April Datebook

March 31-April 2: Lenten mission, Engelberg

1-3: Lenten mission, Hot Springs

1-12: Arkansas Catholic pilgrimage to the shrines of France

1-4: Lenten mission, Bella Vista

2: Communal Reconciliation Services, Bella Vista, El Dorado, Rogers and Van Buren

4: Reboot with Chris Stefanick, Springdale

5-7: Permanent Diaconate Formation Weekend (English), Little Rock

5-7: CYM convention, Little Rock

9: Communal Reconciliation Services, Springdale and Hot Springs

12-14: Busqueda #45, Little Rock

See more events

DAVE SAYS

Budgeting like your grandmother

I’ve listened to you for a little while, but I was wondering about the envelope system you recommend. How does it work?

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