95 reasons we love being Catholic in Arkansas

Published: March 18, 2006

It's time to celebrate. The Diocese of Little Rock published its first issue of its diocesan newspaper 95 years ago. On March 25, 1911, The Southern Guardian was launched by Bishop John B. Morris. Four years later, the newspaper became The Guardian. In 1986 the newspaper took a more modern name and became Arkansas Catholic.

To mark the 95th anniversary, we reflected on the nearly 100 reasons why we love the Diocese of Little Rock, its churches and people.

The staff of Arkansas Catholic sought the input of employees of the Diocese of Little Rock and several parish leaders and pastors to help give a broad perspective.

The following is a completely subjective, incomplete list of the best things about being Arkansas Catholics.

1. The world-renowned Little Rock Scripture Study started right here in Little Rock.

2. Bishop Sartain knows my name.

3. As a diocese for more than 160 years, many of our family roots run deep.

4. John Michael Talbot, the No. 1 selling Catholic musician in the world, calls Arkansas home.

5. Tontitown Grape Festival at St. Joseph Church

6. Music at the Cathedral of St. Andrew

7. More perpetual adoration around the diocese

8. Welcoming the strangers from Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi

9. Dedication of the Knights of Columbus to diocesan and parish ministries

10. A little wine at parish events

11. Catholic Charities' outreach to evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

12. Encuentro Hispano is an opportunity for Spanish-speaking Catholics to celebrate their faith and family.

13. Coury House Retreat Center at Subiaco Abbey

14. The beauty of the Cathedral of St. Andrew and many other historic churches

15. Mount St. Mary Academy is the oldest school in the state.

16. Each year we welcome about 400 to 500 people who join the Church at the Easter vigil.

17. Little Rock Theology Institute brings in top-notch professors from around the region without the big-budget tuition.

18. Catholic Immigration Services helps hundreds of people who wouldn't otherwise get any assistance to become U.S. legal residents.

19. Our priests give so generously beyond their parishes.

20. Subiaco Abbey's peanut brittle

21. We still get letters from Bishop McDonald, remembering important events in our lives.

22. We are blessed with Weiderkehr, Post and Cowie families' wines.

23. Northwest Arkansas parishes are growing fast and moving from minority status to leaders in the civic community.

24. The diocese's population is small enough that if you meet someone new you probably at least know someone in his/her family.

25. Many religious sisters, brothers and priests continue to serve the people unselfishly well beyond their 70s.

26. Each Catholic in the diocese is a priceless gem that enriches the whole Crown of Creation. We are the Arkansas diamonds.

27. Fried catfish during Lent

28. The commitment of Benedictine sisters in Jonesboro and Fort Smith to health care and education

29. At our parish festivals, we are finally learning about real Mexican food.

30. There are so few Catholics in the state. You could say we are "unique."

31. We have a wonderful opportunity to evangelize and share our faith with people who have never met a Catholic or been in a Catholic church.

32. People moving here from other states appreciate the Southern hospitality found in Arkansas parishes.

33. Different races and socioeconomic groups all can come together and be part of one church at one table.

34. It is a great conversation starter: "Oh, you are Catholic! Why did the Catholic Church add books to the Bible? Why do you pray to Mary and not Jesus?"

35. We benefit from the Italian and German immigrants who came to the state more than 100 years ago to build many of our churches.

36. God wants me to be Catholic AND a Razorback fan.

37. The murals at St. Mary Church in Altus

38. The enthusiasm created by the Year of the Eucharist and Eucharistic Congress

39. The dedication of Hispanic Catholics to raise money and build new churches in Glenwood and Danville

40. The spiritual and scriptural writings and presentations by Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB

41. Care for the low-income elderly at Christopher Homes complexes

42. Catholics' involvement in fighting against abortion and the death penalty in county and state groups.

43. If you are not a Kordsmeier, Baltz, Borgognoni, Anhalt or Zimmerman, you probably at least know one of them.

44. Cemeteries like Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock help us remember our past.

45. Many of us were taught the basics of our faith in the state's wonderful Catholic schools.

46. The Catholic community at the Little Rock Air Force Base offers a familiar parish "home" for hundreds of military families who move to Central Arkansas.

47. Nuns, brothers and lay people teach us the Catholic faith not only by word but by their example.

48. Parishes provide opportunities to enrich our Catholic faith and seek ways to reach out to others in need.

49. We can make the sign of the cross at each Razorback touchdown.

50. Our diocese supports ongoing adult faith formation.

51. From the earliest days of the diocese, we have been surrounded by many cultures and languages.

52. St. Francis liked nature and so does everyone in the Natural State -- deer, turkeys, ducks, katydids and mosquitoes.

53. We love living and worshiping in the same places as our great-grandparents and grandparents.

54. We often get to explain that there is no difference between Catholics and Christians.

55. During the Red Mass we pray for our elected leaders, judges and lawyers.

56. As a religious minority in the state, we are inspired to live our faith more fully and be sensitive to others in minority-status.

57. Parish potlucks, need we say more?

58. Whatever parish you are visiting, you can see a friend or friend of a friend and feel connected.

59. There are enough Catholics now that most communities no longer secretly suspect we have horns and tails.

60. Arkansas' summer weather helps keep us on a righteous path by giving a tiny taste of what hell could be like.

61. Most parishes have a specialty at their festivals -- pierogis in Marche, oysters at Slovak, barbequed Boston Butts in Jonesboro, Laotian egg rolls in Little Rock, German potato salad in Engelberg, fried catfish in Pine Bluff and bread pudding in Camden.

62. Father Tom Elliott of Fort Smith shares his musical talents through his CDs and concerts.

63. Dedicated Catholic school teachers, parish catechists and youth and campus ministers form our young people for tomorrow.

64. Movements like Search, Cursillo and Busqueda help us come closer to Jesus.

65. We are not alone during times of trouble; we have prison ministry, Project Rachel, the Westside Free Medical Clinic and Retrouvaille.

66. We can go to church every day if we want.

67. We have rich traditions and sacraments to share with our children: All Saints Day, the Eucharist, reconciliation, Living Rosary, Living Stations of the Cross.

68. Living in the Bible Belt, it is easier to be an active Christian.

69. Deacons are encouraged to lead many ministries and are good examples of how to be servants.

70. Several families foster multiple vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

71. Msgr. Jack Harris of Pine Bluff is a trained crisis counselor and helps victims around the country.

72. The Martin Luther King Jr. Mass reminds us how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

73. It is comforting to know the Carmelite sisters are praying for you.

74. Little Rock (diocese) loves the Big Rock (St. Peter, get it?).

75. Ashes on your forehead don't mean you've been burning leaves in your backyard.

76. To be Catholic in Arkansas is like a mustard seed. We are bound to grow.

77. We are consistently consistent in our beliefs.

78. Bishop Sartain loves each one of us and prays for us daily.

79. Arkansas Catholic is published each week, keeping active Catholics up to date with diocesan, national and international news.

80. We have met prophets like the late Father Joe Biltz who challenge us.

81. We have a beautiful Benedictine legacy.

82. Catholic schools, hospitals and charities represent Christ and improve life for all Arkansans.

83. Our churches, monasteries, convents and retreat centers are havens for God in a chaotic and busy world.

84. Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday

85. More than 1,500 Catholics praying during the Mass for Life

86. The Chrism Mass shows us how much our priests are committed to their vocation.

87. You can be a missionary and not even leave the state.

88. Life Teen Masses

89. The peacefulness of Marylake Monastery

90. We have more St. Mary churches per capita than any other diocese.

91. Project Rachel reaches out to all women regardless of religion who have had abortions.

92. Our diocese is committed to helping strengthen marriages: pre-Cana, Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille.

93. We have the best spaghetti and sausage suppers around.

94. We are blessed that God put us in "ARK"ansas.

95. We are united as one diocese and one state.

Did we forget something you believe is a reason to love being an Arkansas Catholic? Please submit your ideas -- funny or serious, big or small -- and we will post the best ones on our Web site, http://www.arkansas-catholic.org. Mail your ideas to 95 Reasons, Arkansas Catholic, P.O. Box 7417, Little Rock, AR 72217 or e-mail .