Every January, Catholics across the state gather for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. During the Mass, the bishop, on behalf of the Diocesan Council for Black Catholics, awards the Daniel Rudd Memorial Award to a Black Catholic layperson in the diocese who has exemplified leadership, dedication and service to Christ. 

Rosalyn Pruitt, a member of St. Augustine Church in North Little Rock and the DCBC secretary, won the award in 2024.

“I was so, so excited … I was so elated, I was just speechless,” she said. “… I didn’t think my work was recognized. … It was such an honor for me to get it, and I respect it, and I love it.”

Pruitt said the DCBC is looking to expand the pool of applications for people to consider for the 39th annual Daniel Rudd Memorial Award in 2026.

“In the past, it’s usually been highly professional people” who win the Daniel Rudd Memorial Award, she said. “But we’re trying to get away from that. A lot of times, it’s highly educated people with PhDs, attorneys … but not everyone. Though they’ve all been people who have given back tremendously to the Church.”  

Pruitt said recipients are typically 65 or older, but the DCBC is open to honoring adults 18 to 64 as well. 

The award’s namesake, Daniel A. Rudd, achieved incredible feats during the 19th century as a Black Catholic and journalist in the South. Born in 1854 in Kentucky to slaves, Rudd edited and oversaw The American Catholic Tribune, the only Catholic weekly newspaper owned and published by Black people, from 1886 to 1899. He was active in the founding of the Colored Press Association and was also a member of the Catholic Press Association. 

Additionally, he organized five Catholic Congresses for lay Black Americans in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, Rudd moved to Arkansas, publishing a book and staying in close contact with then-Bishop John B. Morris. 

Rudd’s enthusiasm for the Catholic faith, in spite of the challenges of his time, inspires many Catholics in Arkansas today. The DCBC is making sure that his legacy is not forgotten.

“A lot of people don’t know about Daniel Rudd — he started a Catholic newspaper … he did so much for the Catholic community back in the early days … he did a lot of things for the Black people … and some people don’t know. We need to spread that history out,” Pruitt said. “That’s why it’s so important that we continue to honor his legacy, because not everybody knows about him.”

Pruitt said the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Mass is important not just for community and fellowship, but for remembering and uplifting history.

“When you come to the Mass, we tell you about him, but we need to spread more about what he did for us. I think the only time we do it is at this Mass, and I think that’s a shame,” Pruitt said. “… He was one of the people that we could relate to, back in the day.” 

Pruitt and members of the DCBC also hope that by spreading awareness of the Daniel Rudd Memorial Award, they’ll have the opportunity to honor a Black lay Catholic from a parish that hasn’t been recognized before. 

The two-page application consists of several short-answer questions, asking applicants about the individual that they are nominating, particularly about their family life, service and leadership qualities in their parish and parish involvement, sharing their faith with others, bridging the divide between White and Black communities and public service work throughout the Diocese of Little Rock.

If you are interested in nominating someone for the Daniel Rudd Memorial Award, you can find the application on the DOLR website, in the DCBC office at St. Augustine Church in North Little Rock, St. Bartholomew Church and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock and St. Peter Church in Pine Bluff, or by contacting Rosalyn Pruitt at rpruitt@dolr.org or (501) 912-3611.

Applications are accepted through Dec. 6. 

The recipient will be honored at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Mass, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.

Father Clarence “Ed” Edwin Graves, a diocesan priest for 33 years who was known for his love of art and music, died Oct. 6 in Little Rock. He was 84.

Father Graves was born on Jan. 2, 1941, in Birmingham, Ala., to Clarence and Frances Graves. He had one sister, Judy Finley. He grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., before his family moved to Memphis. He earned a bachelor of fine arts in painting from the Memphis College of Arts and a master of fine arts in painting from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. 

His discernment of a vocation to the priesthood was nurtured in his family, attending Mass and praying the rosary. While in high school, he attended a retreat at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers, Ga. While in college, he sensed a call to the monastic life as a Camaldolese monk in Big Sur, Calif. 

Desiring a more active ministry, he left the monastic life to complete his education in painting. For 13 years, he worked as a commercial artist. 

Father Graves began his formation for the priesthood for the Diocese of Little Rock, attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained a priest on June 20, 1992, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock by Bishop Andrew J. McDonald. 

After his ordination, his first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Little Rock for two years. He served as pastor of St. Louis Parish in Camden, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Magnolia, St. Andrew in Marianna, St. Francis of Assisi in Forest City, St. Peter in Wynne and St. Mary in McCrory. He cared for the sacramental needs of the inmates at the federal prison in Forrest City while serving as a pastor in Eastern Arkansas. 

Throughout his ministry as a priest, Father Graves actively participated in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Arkansas. 

In 2011, Father Graves retired to St. John Manor in Little Rock, where he remained until his death. During the year as a senior priest, Father Graves produced a musical CD, painted and wrote. He continued to minister through helping out in parishes as long as he was able and offering Mass for the Missionaries of Charity. 

Throughout his ministry, Father Graves shared his love for music, especially the songs of Elvis Presley. He would bring out his guitar while preaching or visiting sacramental preparation classes, sometimes as his alter ego, “Elvis Priestly.”

In 2017 he told Arkansas Catholic, “I always felt like Elvis had a childlike spirit, a youthful spirit,” adding he saw him five times in concert and met him briefly outside of Graceland. 

He is survived by his niece, Sonya Chamberlin of Memphis.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Holy Spirit Church, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis, TN. The viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Following the Mass, Father Graves will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate a Memorial Mass in St. John Center Morris Chapel in Little Rock at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The third cohort for the diocese’s School of Spiritual Direction was selected and began its first training Sept. 19-20 at the St. John Center in Little Rock. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated a bilingual Mass Sept. 19 for the eight new students, plus students from the first and second cohorts.

The new students are:

• Bentonville: Tom Hubbard and Ana Krus, St. Stephen
• Conway: Robert Massery, St. Joseph
• Hot Springs: Carol Ruscin, St. John
• Hot Springs Village: Cathey Raney, Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Jonesboro: Ana Castañon and Deacon Ramon Ramirez, Blessed Sacrament
• Springdale: Deacon Eduardo Andrade, St. Raphael

The three-year program began in 2023. Weekend classes are held monthly from September to May. The new class of eight students includes three Spanish speakers. Total enrollment is now 32 students, with 10 Spanish speakers. Father Daniel Velasco, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, is the director.

Eight principals, teachers and staff members in Catholic schools were honored for 25 years of service during Professional Day Sept. 26 at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

Principals honored were Myndi Keyton, Christ the King, Fort Smith, and Alice Stautzenberger, St. Vincent de Paul, Rogers. Other honorees include Pat Barber, Christ the King, Fort Smith; Deacon Roy Goetz, Subiaco Academy; Patricia Joselin, St. John, Russellville; Laura Saldivar, St. Michael School, West Memphis; Rebekah Stewart, Christ the King, Little Rock and Debby Haley, St. Theresa, Little Rock.

A gunman entered Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis Aug, 27 as students from the adjacent Annunciation Catholic School participated in their school Mass. He opened fire, killing two children and injuring 15 more children and three adults before killing himself. 

The reverberations of this violence have been felt all over the country, as Catholic schools have begun taking precautions to protect their students during Mass.

In the Diocese of Little Rock, the diocesan superintendent and a few principals agreed to talk to Arkansas Catholic. 

“Because of the school shooting in Minneapolis, I sent out an email to the principals recommending that they meet with their pastors and discuss safety measures that they could put in place for Mass and to review what plans they already have in place for possible intruders,” superintendent Theresa Hall said. “Because we never know who the ‘bad guy’ might be, we ask that these plans only be shared with those directly responsible for children. 

“But we have several schools that are now locking the church doors when Mass begins. Some have implemented a sign-in before entering the church. Some schools have asked parents to be present around the parking lot and church to provide more eyes for anything or anyone suspicious. Some schools are changing up their Mass schedules and adding more police security.”

“I know that principals have met or are meeting with their pastors and assessing their current plans,” added associate superintendent Nancy Handloser. “ … As another layer of protection, we do not make public what is included in schools’ safety plans. It is essential that the schools re-evaluate their safety plans on a regular basis.”

Several schools said they are working to re-evaluate safety plans and protect students. 

“Here at Subiaco, we take the safety of our students, faculty, monks and visitors very seriously,” said Jason McDaniel, director of safety and security at Subiaco Abbey and Academy. “We take a multi-level approach to safety and security that includes cameras, badge access to doors and a Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) to respond to any and all emergencies when they arise.”

McDaniel said emergency preparedness extends beyond crime and accounts for other situations as well.  

“We conduct regular emergency preparedness drills to ensure faculty and students know how to respond to critical incidents, whether that be weather-related, fire, active threat, etc. We have regular meetings with both academy and monastic leaders to ensure collaboration and discuss ongoing improvements to our campus and grounds. CERT members also provide coverage to after-hours events (athletic, church services, social, etc.), as needed.

“The event at Annunciation Catholic Church and School is an absolute tragedy. My hope is that all schools will start, if they don’t already, to take a proactive approach to these terrible incidents, and better prepare all persons, faculty and students, on how first to prevent, then to respond, should a person threaten their community.”

At St. Theresa School in southwest Little Rock, principal Kristy Dunn said the “tragedy at Annunciation prompted yet another review” of the school’s security plans. 

“Our response has been with prayer and action,” she said. “We gathered for a rosary prayer service the same day it happened to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. It hit close to home, recognizing that their situation is so similar to ours — attending Mass together like we do here. Our action is to be consistently vigilant in the evaluation of and execution of our emergency response plans…”

Father Juan Guido, pastor of Christ the King Church and School in Little Rock, has also changed security plans during school Masses.

“The tragic situation in Minneapolis made me wonder if our school was fully prepared for such a situation,” she said. “I pray it never happens to any school, but the principal (Jillian Whisnant) and I reviewed our security procedures. They are solid, and we will continue to evaluate them as new issues arise.

“The only visible change at CTK is that everyone who wants to attend school Masses must now check in at the front desk in the school office. The church doors are locked during all school Masses. People are still welcome to attend, but they must enter through a single entrance.”

St. Joseph School in Paris is also currently reassessing their crisis plan. 

“Through in-service and collaboration amongst our staff and faculty, we are seeking to improve our response to any intruder threat,” principal Shirley Kiefer said. “The safety of our students is a priority, and an ongoing need. Some aspects of safety easily seen include entry door security and keyless access badges. Other items in our safety protocol may not be as obvious, and this is by design. It is often said that the goal should be to avoid, deny and defend against an intruder — all this with our student safety as a priority.”

As people everywhere pray for continued healing in Minneapolis, the effects of such a tragedy will hopefully prevent future tragedies. 

“I am saddened that we must be prepared for these horrible incidents that might take place,” Hall said. “I know that Annunciation Catholic School had its crisis plan in place and had practiced for it. Had they not, the number of casualties could have been a lot larger. But regardless, we are all affected by what happened in Minneapolis.”

Just six months ago, University of Arkansas students Caitlyn Shaw and Casey Mann knew little about Rome or Catholicism. 

But now, after spending 10 weeks this summer producing news segments for the Rome bureau of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), they not only know more about media but also about their future career paths. 

Shaw, 21, is a junior studying multimedia journalism from Fayetteville. She knew she wanted to study abroad — that’s when Veronica Mobley, who develops study abroad programs for the University of Arkansas. 

“(Mobley) told me that there was a news station that was covering the Jubilee Year, and that jubilees only happened once every 25 years,” Shaw said. “I was astonished by it.”

Shaw, who is Protestant, said the internship would be an opportunity for her to not only learn about multimedia journalism but also Rome’s culture — and that meant learning about Catholicism too. 

“My task was to create a story that I wanted to tell from scratch for EWTN,” Shaw said. “It was really broad, and I started off just coming up with ideas of what was most important for the Jubilee. … I started fleshing out a story about the Jubilee of Youth, and then my colleague … fleshed out a story about the Jubilee of Digital Creators and Catholic influencers. … I did not realize the magnitude and the scale of what I was reporting on until I started looking up things, because they said they were expecting nearly a million young people to come to Rome.”

Shaw had an opportunity to learn more about the behind-the-scenes media production process.

“I did a lot of voiceovers for my package. Numerous days were filled with me doing actual interviews that were set up by cameramen, and then I would get there and I would be ready with my questions and things like that.”

A Pea Ridge native, Mann, 19, who is also not Catholic, is studying journalism and political science. She discovered the EWTN internship opportunity at a study abroad fair at the beginning of her freshman year. 

Mann created a package about the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic influencers.

“I did all the interviews, wrote up the scripts. I worked with the editors and did the voiceover. … I worked with some of the editing team for a little bit,” she said. “Shadowing them and learning a little bit more about video editing.”

Previously, Mann didn’t have broadcast journalism experience. She said the opportunity to focus exactly on that is “something that really drew” her to EWTN.

“EWTN is right in the middle of everything. I could literally see St. Peter’s from the office, which was so insane to be there every single day and be in the middle of it,” she said. “Also, because they have offices in D.C. and Alabama, I thought it would be great for networking to keep up those relationships when I got back here.”

In addition to EWTN’s summer internship, the two also participated in EWTN’s Summer Academy, a fast-paced, two-week program at the end of the summer.

Shaw and Mann often had to conduct interviews in multiple languages with the assistance of other staffers. 

“I knew that was going to be a challenge, but I think it helped me grow a lot as a person and as a journalist with EWTN when I had to deal with those language barriers. Everyone was super willing to help me,” Mann said. 

Shaw and Mann both joked about having to learn another language — Catholicism. 

“It is like learning another language,” Mann said. “When I first got there, I had to do a lot of research, because I would just be talking to people in the office, or when we were in class the first month learning about a lot of things that had to do with the Catholic Church, I would just make a list of things that I had to Google later because I had no idea what they were. 

“But I was super open to learning about the Catholic Church and about the experience of all these people that I was working with, because I knew how important it was to everyone there, and I was super interested in that.”

Mann said the internship helped her plan for her future. 

“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I’m leaning towards doing something in the realm of political reporting,” she said. “And I just knew EWTN would help me with that goal because it refined my storytelling abilities when I was writing scripts, and then obviously hard journalism skills, like the editing and the voice-overs and just learning all those softwares was really helpful.”

Mobley developed a communication program in Rome in 2022, providing opportunities for professional placement that were also culturally immersive. This past year, students were placed at EWTN, at Vatican Media, the Sisters of Providence and Hummustown, a nonprofit that supports Syrian refugees. 

In preparing students for Rome, Mobley helped students learn about the role of Catholicism in Rome’s history, the culture of Catholicism and the communication methods of Catholic news agencies, working alongside clergy, nuns and Catholic journalists to best prepare the students.

“I knew very early on that I wanted to provide those kinds of cultural and professional opportunities for students, because I know how transformative they are for the learning process,” Mobley said.

One thing is for certain — Shaw and Mann both agreed that their internship abroad in Rome and their learning experiences with EWTN changed them for the better. 

“EWTN was a great place to spend the summer, and I met so many incredible people who taught me so much, and I will never forget my two months in Rome,” Mann said. “Every day at the office was so fun, and I felt like I really got to know a lot of the people there.”

“It was really, really interesting. I’ve told people this a lot — that it was a God-ordained experience, because although I might not have had the correct criteria, they still invited me in, were really hospitable towards me, and let me do a really big story for them…” Shaw said. “It was one of the most immersive experiences I’ve ever had in an internship, and it genuinely, I think, changed the trajectory of my life.”

As the pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, Father Daniel Velasco understands the importance of faith as a family. 

Since 2022, he’s implemented a series of new and unique prayer opportunities to unite different groups at the parish into solidarity as a family. 

• A special children’s liturgy is held during every weekend Mass during the readings and homily to allow children ages 4-12 to reflect on the readings and participate in activities together. Each child has a colorful sitting circle that designates their spot. 
• When the children come back into the church from children’s liturgy, there is a special children’s collection.
• Married couples are recognized during their anniversary month with a blessing.
• Attendees with birthdays each month are recognized and prayed over.
• Saints cards and spiritual books are offered regularly to Mass-goers.
• Visitors are welcomed at the end of Mass with greetings and applause.
• Father Velasco frequently offers a “marketing teaser,” encouraging children to come to Mass the next week, where they will receive small trinkets and gifts, such as “Tiny Saints” keychains.

Many of these efforts began shortly after Father Velasco was assigned to Holy Souls. Parishioner Steve Hoffman approached him, describing a children’s liturgy that his grandchildren participate in at their parish in Knoxville, Tenn. 

He and other parishioners researched the special program, called Children Celebrate, and approached Father Velasco. 

“This was during the spring semester of 2023, during my first year. It just so happened to be right before Lent, so after pondering about it, I said, ‘OK, let’s try it during Lent.’”

Father Velasco made the decision to hold the children’s liturgy during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses with several parishioners who volunteered to help. Nearly 40 children attended. The demand for children’s liturgy grew, and so it was implemented at 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass as well in the fall of 2023. By October 2024, children’s liturgy was held at all Masses. 

Father Velasco and associate pastor Father Joji Reddy Allam also get involved. Each month they rotate which Mass they lead the children’s liturgy while the other priest is celebrating the Mass. At the end of each children’s liturgy, each child receives a worksheet with activities to complete with their parents. 

All parishioners are recognized and honored during the year. 

“Of course, at first, I was just trying to get to know them, and then it developed as a way for people to know each other and to appreciate each other on those special occasions, and also to welcome the visitors,” Father Velasco said. “At the very beginning, I noticed that even though … we’re not a parish destination, we receive visitors — sometimes because of the local hospitals, or sometimes, I guess, people Google parishes when they are traveling through or coming to town. We receive visitors not just from Arkansas, but all over the U.S. and even internationally. This past Sunday, we had a family from Slovenia, visiting the U.S. and traveling to different states, and they found Holy Souls.”

Father Velasco, who earned a marketing degree before joining the seminary, is also excited about the opportunity to use his business degree. Each week, he shares a new “marketing teaser” — a riddle or puzzle with hints for what trinkets and little gifts he might give out next — to encourage youth attendance at Mass. 

“Back in Mexico, in some parishes, they will give you a candy at the end of Mass, so I wanted to do something in line with this.”

Father Velasco began giving children small gifts after Masses, such as “Tiny Saints” keychains, candy and even Nativity pieces and Christmas ornaments during Advent. 

“It’s great for the teachers, it’s great for the kids, and it’s great for the volunteers because it’s a spiritual ministry that is very important to them,” Hoffman said. 

Volunteers react

Parishioner Dorcy Corbin has been volunteering with the children’s liturgy since its inception. 

“Father Daniel wanted to expand the children’s liturgy to all Masses and asked me to recruit volunteers for the 8 a.m. Mass. Recruiting was super simple as almost everyone I asked was willing to help, and we had so many volunteers that I only had to schedule people once every six to eight weeks,” she said. “It only took a couple of weeks to get the volunteers to cover the 8 a.m. Mass. Then Father asked me to take care of getting volunteers for the 4 p.m. (Saturday) Mass … and virtually every person I asked agreed to help. Many of my volunteers actually prefer to help monthly rather than every six to eight weeks.”

Corbin said the children’s liturgy makes liturgical readings and concepts easier for children to understand. 

“The children’s liturgy sometimes has modified readings which are more age-appropriate and easier for them to understand. With the children’s liturgy, the children get to actively participate in the Liturgy of the Word. I think that knowing they will have the opportunity to ask questions and to answer questions about the readings, encourages them to pay close attention.”

Corbin said children’s liturgy also allows parents the opportunity to get more out of Mass too. 

“One of the benefits of the children’s liturgy that may not have been mentioned is the fact that the parents of the younger children can actually be more attentive to the readings and homily because they are not distracted by their child or children next to them, fidgeting or otherwise wanting something during Mass,” Corbin said. “I know that when my five children were young, it would have been great to have been able to pay closer attention to the homilies; you can always go back and read the readings.”

Support from students

Corbin’s grandchildren also weighed in. Evelyn Bearden, 5, said she enjoyed being able to ask questions. Emerson Anthony, 9, enjoys being a reader during children’s liturgy. John Sheffield Anthony, 7, said the children’s liturgy is fun.

“I like how they use words that children can understand,” said George Lehner, 8. “When I have stayed in Mass, they use words I don’t understand.”

Parishioner and volunteer Cari Britt said the community at the parish and various family-oriented events, such as children’s liturgy, have “really grown.”

“My daughter … loves to go and sit with her friends  … I think it gives them the discipline to sit there and listen, and it’s on something that’s closer to their level of understanding.”

Holy Souls School principal Amber Bagby said she is thankful that Father Velasco and Father Allam have helped grow the Catholic faith among students even more. 

“They are deeply present in the life of our school and parish. … Our priests hear confessions on the playground. This is one of my favorite things because it not only makes the habit of attending confession less intimidating, but it also reminds our children that God meets us where we are in the middle of our everyday lives. It’s a powerful example of faith woven into daily moments. … It is all of these moments that remind us that church and school are not separate parts of our lives, but one faith-filled community.”

Jeff Hines, director of the diocese’s Office of Faith Formation, said the family-oriented activities at Holy Souls are pivotal for building community. 

“We encounter Christ in four ways: prayer, word, sacrament and community,” he said. “All four of these happen in the Mass, but too often, the community aspect is neglected. Perhaps too many of us see Mass as an obligation, rather than as an opportunity to encounter Christ. We should always go to Mass expecting to meet somebody new.  

“There are a few points in the liturgy where the priest can insert things to motivate us to become more like Christ — such as welcoming visitors and recognizing people for anniversaries, birthdays and graduations. These give us an easy way to reach out and build relationships.  Follow up after Mass with ‘Welcome!’ or ‘Congratulations!’ and introduce yourself. The first step in evangelization is learning to say, ‘Hello, My name is…’”

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointment:

Fr. John Paul Hartnedy, relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock effective Sept. 18.  Assigned as priest-in-residence at St. Joseph Church in Conway effective Oct. 6.

The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock is synonymous with helping those in need, but its work is harder now than ever as the nonprofit grapples with the effects of federal funding cuts. 

Helping Hand was started in June 1970 as a project of Catholic Charities and has spent the past 55 years providing nutritious food, financial assistance, school supplies, toys and special meals throughout the holidays.

Located in the former St. Bartholomew High School campus on Marshall Street in Little Rock since 1991, it serves more than 2,700 Arkansans each month. Clients can visit to receive a bag of canned goods and other items, including macaroni and cheese, rice and dry beans. Visitors can also receive bread and meat on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Recent federal funding cuts have impacted Helping Hand, making it harder to serve the vulnerable and marginalized. In March, the United States Department of Agriculture canceled $1 billion in grants to food banks and schools to buy food from local farmers and ranchers.

“We go to the (Arkansas) Foodbank every Wednesday. The first and third Wednesdays, we pick up USDA food, and that has been cut drastically, which has reduced what we can give to our clients,” said executive director Gayle Priddy. “We used to give (clients) anywhere from seven to nine cans. Now it’s five cans.”

The budget cuts have created more families in need, who, in turn, have to visit food pantries to make ends meet. The result is that not every family is receiving help.

“I would say we probably turned away 12 families, at least,” Priddy said of the morning’s food service Sept. 2. “We probably have enough food to handle about 100 families.”

Volunteer Margaret Douglas will assume the executive director position when Priddy retires Oct. 1. She is particularly concerned about the impact on the most vulnerable. 

“A lady approached me outside today, and she wanted to know why we didn’t have meat anymore. I told her that we have meat, it’s just that you have to come early, or it’ll run out. It’s really sad, especially when there are children in the home, or when they’re elderly,” she said. 

Even grocery stores are feeling the squeeze. 

“We’re seeing less and less meat and produce coming from the grocery stores because they’re cutting back on what they’re able to donate,” Priddy said. “… We’re in a food desert. We have two low-income high-rises near here where our clients walk or ride the bus to come here.”

Federal grant funding used to fund important projects and services has also been cut or frozen. 

“We apply for grants through United Way for FEMA, and we use that money for rent. You can use it for food, utilities or rent. We use it for rent because we were able to get other grants to help with utility assistance,” Priddy said. 

The funds were used to cover up to $500 in monthly rent for those in need.

Helping Hand applied for funds last year, which were approved for 2025. Before they could receive the funds, the Trump administration froze them. 

“We’re getting calls every day from young mothers, single mothers. They’re being evicted, someone is elderly and on oxygen, or it’s a mother who has a disabled child who is going to be out on the street,” Priddy said. “… We feel terrible that we cannot help.”

On Aug. 21, members of Pax Christi Little Rock heard from Priddy on the impact of funding cuts on Helping Hand’s work. Pax Christi president Mary Hunt told Arkansas Catholic that she’s concerned about the domino effect of funding cuts. 

“Pax Christi Little Rock is deeply concerned about those in our community facing hardship,” she said. “We strongly believe that additional funding is essential and a lifeline for these families.” 

As Douglas prepares to take the reins at Helping Hand, she’s preparing to help more people with less than before. 

“I’m worried about our people,” she said. “The things that we do here at Helping Hand now we’ll probably be doing more of in the years to follow.”

But Douglas is also aware of the important role that Helping Hand plays in spiritual support. 

“We not only offer a brown bag of food, but we also offer spiritual and mental support. They come in and tell us everything,” she said. “They tell us if somebody has passed in the family. … We’ve been here so long, and that’s what makes a difference to any place, especially here. The people feel that we’re part of their family, and they’re part of ours. … We have people come in and ask for prayer. … So I really want to encourage that. I want people to know that we’re here for them. We try to remember something about everybody who comes here. … They just want somebody to notice them.”

“And to treat them with respect,” Priddy added. 

How you can help

Helping Hand accepts donations of food and money. Some items, such as diapers in larger sizes, are in high demand. To determine what items Helping Hand needs, contact them at (501) 372-4388. You can also make a monetary donation at lrhelpinghand.com/donate.

En español

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued this statement, titled ‘On Human Dignity, Political Violence and Rediscovering Our Common Human Bonds,” Sept. 16.

“Given the events of the last several days in our country, it would be difficult for those following the news not to know of the recent horrific assassination and murder of Charlie Kirk — a Christian, a conservative political activist and a young husband and father to two young children. Even if, like me, you weren’t familiar with him before the events of this past week, most have witnessed the resultant anguish and division caused by his killing.

“This devastation is not limited just to his wife and children, family and friends, political supporters and proponents of free speech. Perhaps the most troubling devastation has been those elements of our society that would rejoice in another man’s public and gruesome execution. An execution that occurred for all to see, and whose underlying motive appears to have been having a difference in ideas. The enjoyment that some seem to derive from the suffering, downfall, or even death of an opponent is not limited to one side or the other of the ideological spectrum, even if it’s been brought into particular focus here of late.

“Some have demanded some kind of immediate response from me. But, as with most issues, it’s important first to listen, to reflect and to understand. To be sure, some of Mr. Kirk’s beliefs were perfectly consistent with Catholic Christian teaching, whereas others would not be consistent with our Catholic worldview. Part of the beauty of our Catholic faith is that ours is a universal, worldwide Church — uniting us well beyond the borders of any given country or nationality. Hence, a worldview that sometimes differs fundamentally.

“You, the members of my flock in this diocese, know that I speak out often on issues like immigration, race, poverty and peace. But you also know that I have preached boldly on issues like abortion, same-sex unions or the deceptions of gender ideology. At their core, none of these are conservative issues or liberal issues. They are Catholic Christian issues. And they are human dignity issues.

“I worry that we have gone down paths, on the extremes of both sides, where we no longer make an effort to see our common human dignity — even if we might disagree. This isn’t just about the latest act of political violence. It’s a culmination of acts of violence against members of both parties; against churches and schools; against groups of students on campuses based on their religion and ethnicity; against groups in neighborhoods based on their foreign ancestry. 

“It may be that much of this violence is simply part of our fallen human condition — as old as Cain and Abel. But it cannot be that we, as fellow humans, grow weary of feeling empathy for one another in each other’s daily plights. When we only see our opponent as an opponent — or the other as the other — we lose sight of those common human bonds that connect us more integrally than might be readily apparent. It’s our common human bonds that should give us empathy for the unborn child at risk of abortion; for the homeless and mentally unwell; for the immigrant fleeing oppression and hardship; for the victims of war, no matter which side.  

“My brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter which side of the political aisle or theological spectrum you might be on, I beg you to find ways to recognize, honor and cherish the common humanity amongst those around you. Including in — especially in — those who don’t think just like you, act just like you, look just like you or live just where you live. 

“Genesis tells us that God created all human beings in his image and likeness. Each of us bears the imprint of God. That imprint grants us a fundamental dignity that can never be taken away. But if we ignore it, we do so at the risk of our country, our society, our humanity, and ultimately our own souls. In such times of distress, division, and discord, I exhort each of us to redouble our efforts to look for the imprint of God in each and every one. To give the benefit of the doubt to others, rather than suspicion. To presume charity from others, rather than malice. And to see others through the eyes of God, who looked upon his creation and called it ‘very good.’”