The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: ‘You are a priest forever.’ (Hebrews 7:21)
The Diocese of Little Rock will host another large ordination at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 27 at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will ordain five young men: William Burmester of Conway, Stephen Hart of Little Rock, Ramses Mendieta, originally from Nicaragua, Martin Siebold of North Little Rock and Luke Womack of Hot Springs.
When Deacon William Burmester learned he was seminary-bound a few years ago, the first person he sought out was Father Juan Guido, now associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale.
“Father Guido always called me ‘The Discerner,’” Burmester recalled. “And then I got the letter and I went up to him, and I was all proud and he still introduced me as The Discerner because, he said, I would always be discerning. Every day, I’m More... 
Deacon Stephen Hart grew up in Christ the King Church in Little Rock witnessing a powerful figure celebrate Mass and deliver his homily.
Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, the pastor until 2001, had an influence on Hart’s decision to pursue the priesthood.
“I remember being a young child and being able to see myself in him. I could recognize myself. He was definitely a very big figure in the parish for all the right reasons. That made an More...
When Deacon Ramsés Mendieta was ready to leave his native Nicaragua to join the House of Formation in Little Rock in 2010, a fellow parishioner’s reminder to trust in God, citing Luke 9:62, was and still is impactful: “(To him) Jesus said, ‘No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.’”
“Now that I feel that I’m about to put my hand More...
Deacon Martin Siebold will always be a North Little Rock kid at heart, but as he approaches ordination he wants his vocation to benefit the entire diocese. Which is only fair, considering everywhere he’s been in Arkansas people have helped prepare him to do just that.
“There were certain things that had to happen for me to get to seminary, certain people that were in my life that I was very close to in my home More...
Deacon Luke Womack admits the path to priesthood was winding. There was shade, rocky ground to travel on and various forks in the road, but he said “every misstep I’m grateful for,” because it’s led him to his priestly ordination May 27.
“I think it’s those experiences that will help me to understand and show forth the compassion that is needed,” Womack said. “When people come to your office to talk to you they’re not looking More...
May 19: Holy hour for Daniel Ramos, 6:30 p.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, North Little Rock (Marche)
May 20: Diaconate ordination for Daniel Ramos, 10 a.m. , Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, North Little Rock (Marche)
May 24: Holy hour for Joseph de Orbegozo, Patrick Friend and Stephen Elser, 4 p.m.; diaconate ordination, 6 p.m., Christ the King, Little Rock
May 26: Holy hour for Martin Siebold, Luke Womack, Ramses Mendieta, Stephen Hart and William Burmester, 6 p.m., More...
CHS athlete overcomes odds to reach collegiate goal
John Calipari: UA basketball coach and devout Catholic
'Cabrini' film tells story of saint with great faith
Bishop Taylor announces more pastoral appointments
Most U.S. Catholics approve of Pope Francis, Pew says