News for Catholic living from the Diocese of Little Rock

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May 14 2021

Mask-wearing at Mass becomes optional, though still recommended, starting with May 15-16 Masses, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced May 9. (Church Art / JodyRayePhotography)

Masks optional

As COVID-19 stats drop in the United States, some precautions at Mass are being loosened. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor said masks are optional but encouraged during Mass, starting May 15. Pastors will be able to make other changes in their parishes as they see fit.

All are invited to attend the May 29 ordination to celebrate our faith and give thanks. "This will be a special time to thank the Lord for bringing us through this pandemic so far and for providing us these new priests as we look to the future," he said. The ordination Mass is being celebrated in Barton Coliseum, which has plenty of room to spread out and allow thousands of people to attend.

JUST ONE MINUTE

I recently came upon this beautiful prayer, the Litany of Trust. Let me share just a couple of the petitions: From the belief that I have to earn Your love, deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable, deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future, deliver me, Jesus. This is what the resurrection is all about. This is what redemption and salvation are about. It is about us actually experiencing and participating in the New Life of Christ.

Reflection: Pray through the Litany of Trust today. Speak to God in gratitude for where you are experiencing salvation. Ask him to experience more deeply his life where you most need it.

— Deacon Danny Hartnedy

St. Ursula Ledochowska

May 29

Julia Maria entered an Ursuline convent in Poland at age 21, taking the name Maria Ursula of Jesus. In 1923, she founded the Ursulines of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, known as Grey Ursulines. Ursula was canonized in 2003; her older sister, Blessed Maria Theresa Ledochowska, is also a foundress.
Russia kicked her out after ...

DAVE SAYS

Tip for first-time parents

Recently, my husband and I began talking about starting a family. We live on a budget, but we still have about $15,000 in credit card debt and student loans. Do you think couples should wait until they are debt-free to have children?
Just don't make this mistake ...

IN TRANSITION

Two will be deacons

Two seminarians will be ordained deacons by Bishop Taylor this month. Jaime Nieto will be ordained Friday, May 21 at St. Raphael Church in Springdale. On Wednesday, May 26 Daniel Wendel will be ordained at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

MAY DATEBOOK

15-16: Catholic Communication Campaign collection
15: Subiaco Academy graduation
16: Sacred Heart graduation, Morrilton; St. Joseph graduation, Conway
22: Ozark Catholic Academy's first graduation, Tontitown
24: Mount St. Mary Academy graduation, Little Rock
28: Catholic High School graduation, Little Rock

QUOTE UNQUOTE

Prayer is not always "a walk in the park." While it may be easy to "parrot" prayer, "blah, blah, blah," real prayer requires effort. Prayer "certainly gives great peace, but through inner struggle, at times hard, which can accompany even long periods of life."

— Pope Francis May 12, for an audience of 300 people at Apostolic Palace

May aSpirations

• Retired pastor Father Robert Dienert died on Mother's Day
• Priests from India watch coronavirus outbreak in their native country
• Thousands can attend the ordination of five priests May 29 in Little Rock

Thanks for reading aSpire. Craving more? Take a nibble on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram; get some depth on the Arkansas Catholic website. And for a heaping helping, subscribe to Arkansas Catholic. Oh, and forward this issue to share!

Have a news tip? Please contact me.
Your humble editor,
Malea Hargett
Arkansas Catholic

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