24 hours for the Lord a global prayer event

Arkansas parishes to join Lenten initiative uniting Church March 4-5

Published: February 29, 2016

Kerem Yucel / freeimages.com

Kerem Yucel / freeimages.com

An initiative started by Pope Francis in 2014 is taking on new life in the Year of Mercy to focus on reconciliation.

The pope asked all dioceses to host 24 Hours for the Lord on the Friday and Saturday before the fourth week of Lent. The Lenten initiative, which organized by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, will be held March 4-5.

In 2015 the pope said, “Flooded with news reports and troubling images of human suffering, we often feel our complete inability to help. What can we do to avoid being caught up in this spiral of distress and powerlessness? First, we can pray in communion with the Church on earth and in heaven. Let us not underestimate the power of so many voices united in prayer. The 24 Hours for the Lord initiative … is meant to be a sign of this need for prayer.”

Throughout Rome and the world, churches will be open for 24 hours for confession and Eucharistic adoration. Churches also are offering Stations of the Cross and Mass.

Fourteen parishes in Arkansas have announced their schedules over the two days.

• Benton: Our Lady of Fatima Church will celebrate its 16th anniversary of perpetual adoration. Adorers have been asked to pray in thanksgiving for the gift of the Year of Mercy and perpetual adoration in their parish. Reconciliation will be available from 10-11 a.m. Saturday. A message of Eucharistic evangelization will be given at all Masses March 5-6.

• Conway: Events will begin at 7 a.m. Friday with Mass at St. Joseph Church. Other devotions will include Stations of the Cross, confession and Divine Mercy Chaplet through 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Fort Smith: Christ the King Church will be open from 3-6 p.m. Saturday for adoration and confessions. Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m.

• Heber Springs: St. Albert Church will have a 9 a.m. Mass Friday followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It will conclude with at 9 a.m. Saturday with Benediction. Every hour different group will be in the adoration chapel. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited every hour.

• Hot Springs Village: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church will have Mass Friday and Saturday morning. Eucharistic adoration will be available for 24 hours. Reconciliation will be offered every other hour starting at 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. Friday. Stations of the Cross will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

• Jonesboro: Blessed Sacrament Church will have 24-hour adoration from 7:30 a.m. Friday to 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The event will conclude at 7:30 a.m. with Benediction and 8 a.m. with Mass.

• Little Rock: “A Vigil to Dry Tears” will be held from 6 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m., Saturday at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church. There will be guided spiritual reflection, music, prayers, guided meditation, Living Stations of the Cross, the rosary, Mass at 8 a.m. Saturday, reflections on God’s mercy, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the sacrament of reconciliation offered by five diocesan priest at various times during Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon. The event will conclude at 4 p.m. Saturday with Mass. A full schedule is available at www.holy souls.org or call (501) 663-8632.

• Magnolia: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will have 24 hours of adoration from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

• Morrison Bluff: Sts. Peter and Paul Church will begin with Stations of the Cross and Mass at 6 p.m. Friday and end with Mass at 6 p.m. Saturday. Adoration will be held throughout the 24 hours.

• Pine Bluff: St. Joseph will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. Friday and end with Benediction at 9 a.m. Saturday. Adoration will be offered all day and night. Reconciliation will be available Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

• Pocahontas: St Paul Church will begin Friday with Benediction at 5 p.m. followed by Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. The event will conclude with 24 hours of adoration.

• Searcy: St. James Church will celebrate Mass at noon Friday followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It will conclude with Benediction at noon Saturday. Different groups will participate in adoration every hour. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited every hour.

• Springdale: A deanery-wide reconciliation event will held from 4-9 p.m. Friday at St. Raphael Church. Area priests will be available to hear confessions. Stations of the Cross in English will be held at 5:30 p.m. and in Spanish at 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed throughout the night. The Men’s Club will serve an all-you-can-eat fish fry and grilled cheese dinner from 5:30-7 p.m.

• Wynne: St. Peter Church will have adoration starting from 8:30 a.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday. The theme for reflection will be Divine Mercy.