Father William Elser washes a parishioner’s feet at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church during Holy Thursday Mass April 18 in Hot Springs Village. (Jim Keary photo)

Father Leon Ngandu, SVD, leads parishioners on a procession around St. Bartholomew Church in Little Rock after the Holy Thursday Mass April 18 in photo at right. The procession was followed by adoration and benediction. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor holds a wooden crucifix for parishioners to kiss during the Good Friday service at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. (Malea Hargett photo)

Parishioners at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers act out the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, April 19. The annual reenactment includes adults and children. (Alesia Schaefer photo)

Pastor Father Tony Robbins lights the Paschal candle held by Deacon Richard Papini in photo at right as they stand next to the Holy Saturday Easter fire, April 20 at St. Joseph Church in Conway. (Photo not for sale)

Father George Sanders, pastor of St. Mary of the Springs Church in Hot Springs, baptizes Ryan Burton during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, April 20. (Jim Keary photo)

Butter molded in the shape of a lamb sits atop a loaf of bread during the traditional Polish Easter basket blessing, also known as “Swieconka” (shvyehn-SOHN-kah), when Father Norbert Rappold, pastor at St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Mountain Home, blessed a variety of baskets brought by parishioners April 20. Traditional basket items, including eggs, ham and horseradish, have symbolic meanings. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Father Norbert Rappold, pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Mountain Home, blesses candidate Harriett Feulner during confirmation at Easter Vigil Mass April 20 in photo above. Other candidates pictured are Carol McClain (left), Nancy Bemus and Ashton Garner. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Maliyah Jordan, 4, shows off her collection during the Easter egg hunt at St. John the Baptist Church in Hot Springs on Easter Sunday, April 21. She is the daughter of Marcus and Paige Jordan of Hot Springs. (Jim Keary photo)

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Catholics celebrate Holy Week with Masses, activities

Parishioners attend everything from Easter Vigil Mass to Easter egg hunts

Published: April 25, 2019

Malea Hargett

Malea Hargett

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor holds a wooden crucifix for parishioners to kiss during the Good Friday service at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. The bishop celebrated liturgies in the church on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

In the Diocese of Little Rock, Holy Week is marked by local traditions as well as the liturgy of the universal Church. Beginning on Palm Sunday and continuing through the celebration of the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday, parishioners observe how Jesus spent his last week on earth.

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