Friends, family, religious celebrate Msgr. Friend June 17

Msgr. Scott Friend has served diocese as pastor, vicar general, vocations director

Published: June 26, 2017

Malea Hargett

Msgr. Scott Friend celebrates his 30th anniversary Mass June 17 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Little Rock with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor (left) and his nephew, Deacon Patrick Friend (right) in attendance.

Malea Hargett

Family, fellow priests, former parishioners and coworkers attended a Mass June 17 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Msgr. Scott Friend’s ordination.

The Mass was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock, where Msgr. Friend, the vocations team and many seminarians live. Msgr. Friend’s nephew, Deacon Patrick Friend, delivered the homily and Bishop Anthony B. Taylor delivered comments at the conclusion of Mass (complete comments here). Msgr. Friend’s niece and nephew, Kat Friend and Joseph Friend, proclaimed the readings.

Deacon Friend and Bishop Taylor noted Msgr. Friend’s importance to the diocese as vocations director since 2005 and vicar general since 2008. They also shared how multiple sclerosis causes the priest much pain and health issues, but he continues to serve and touch people with his spirituality and insights.

“Uncle Scott, God has given you many gifts and talents. You have helped us find joy in dark times, and you have given us the miraculous example of what it means to embrace the cross,” You have been a loving fatherly presence for so many people,” Deacon Patrick Friend said.

Msgr. Friend said Bishop Taylor “called me to be something more, something the bishop is very good at.”

“He was very fundamental in encouraging me in my sickness to get up and keep going,” he said.

A Mexican dinner with mariachi music was held in the gym after Mass.