Arkansas Catholic

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor reminds us in the "From the Bishop" column that holy orders constitute a vocation chosen by God, not a career. arkansas-catholic.org/2026/06/17/jos…

Catholic Charities of Arkansas provides financial assistance, operating with a monthly budget of $2,000 to $2,500. Due to limited funds and high demand, the organization must selectively distribute aid.

Father Mark Abban introduced an African tradition, "Take Jesus home with you," at St. Mary Church in St. Vincent (Hattieville), starting at the Easter Vigil Mass April 4.

Students at St. Theresa School in Little Rock participated in a mural painting on May 22, the last day of school, as part of a renovation project groundbreaking.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated a Mass May 17 at St. John Center in Little Rock for the 12 students who completed the diocese’s School of Spiritual Direction.

Msgr. Lawrence Avon Frederick, known as "Father Fred," transitioned from an engineering career, which included work on NASA’s Project Mercury spacecraft, to the priesthood. He has since taught at Catholic High School and Mount St. Mary Academy for 60 years.

Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton gathered following the 5:30 p.m. Mass June 6, for the annual Corpus Christi eucharistic procession.

Father Arokiasamy “Samy” Madhichetty Irudayaraj, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton, was ordained on April 24, 2001, having felt called to the priesthood since his baptism in India.

Savannah Johnson, a senior at Ozark Catholic Academy, has a 550-page manuscript under review and signed to throw discus and shot put for Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. arkansas-catholic.org/2026/06/08/sav…

Will Garmon, a senior at Catholic High School, credits the JROTC program for his personal growth and leadership experience, serving as battalion commander, and is now considering joining ROTC at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. arkansas-catholic.org/2026/06/06/wil…

Graham Combs, a recent graduate of Sacred Heart School in Morrilton, took a leap of faith on April 27, committing to join the House of Formation in Little Rock this fall to discern his call to the priesthood. arkansas-catholic.org/2026/06/05/mor…

Aaron Pineda, a senior at Subiaco Academy, will attend Texas A&M University this fall to study marketing. He has been a soloist in the jazz ensemble, a Blue Arrow Ambassador, and started his own photography business. arkansas-catholic.org/2026/06/02/sub…

The French docudrama 'Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End,' which proved phenomenally popular in France, will have a limited theatrical showing June 14 in Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Rogers and Fayetteville. It explores devotion to the Sacred Heart. arkansas-catholic.org/2026/06/12/sac…

We mourn the passing of Father John Oswald, a priest and teacher who dedicated 65 years to serving the Church.

Subiaco Academy held its graduation May 16 at Subiaco Abbey. Victor Mendoza, Class of 2006 and managing partner of Legado Capital Advisors, served as guest speaker.

The commencement ceremony for Ozark Catholic Academy was held May 16 at St. Joseph Church in Tontitown, featuring State Sen. Clint Penzo as the graduation speaker, Karianne O'Shaughnessy as valedictorian, and Clare Pohlmeier as salutatorian.

Addie Hilliard, 18, a senior at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, has achieved AP Scholar with Distinction, maintaining fifth in her class with 14 AP and eight honors courses.

Mount St. Mary Academy hosted its graduation May 19 at Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

Sacred Heart High School held its graduation May 17 at Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton.

Thirty-two students graduated from St. Joseph High School during a ceremony May 10 at St. Joseph Church.