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Jubilee! A series in celebration

Click on a headline below to read about priests profiled in Arkansas Catholic during their priesthood jubilee year.

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Jubilarian known for work as prison minister, crisis counselor

Father Norbert Rappold, pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Mountain Home, serves cake during his 25th jubilee celebration June 12 at the Family Life building. (Leo Clegg)

Arkansas/Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Father Rappold: ‘God didn’t ever give up on me’

Father Peter Quang Le (left) is welcomed by Father Diem Tran, a Fatima Messenger of St. Clair, Mo., at Sacred Heart of Mary Church on the 25th anniversary of his ordination June 26.

Arkansas/Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Father Peter Le fosters faith among Vietnamese Catholics

Father Polycarp Ssebbowa is seen here with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor at the April 21 confirmation at St. James Church in Searcy. Father Ssebbowa will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination Aug. 15. He has held numerous roles in the diocese.

Arkansas/Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Fr. Polycarp Ssebbowa to celebrate silver anniversary

Father Eric Groner, SVD, is seen at his former parish, St. Rita in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 15, 2019. He moved to Arkansas in 2020 to serve as pastor of St. Peter Church and St. Raphael Church in Pine Bluff and St. Justin Church in Star City.

Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Father Eric Groner follows family examples in vocation

Father James Ibeh, CSSp, 55, smiles at the Cathedral of St. Andrew following the Jubilee Mass June 29. He is celebrating his 25th jubilee Aug. 10.

Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Father Ibeh overcame health crises, war to become priest

Father James Fanrak, pastor of Mary Mother of God Church in Harrison, smiles with children from vacation Bible school in June 2019. Father Fanrak, whose first 20 years of ministry were spent as a teacher, is celebrating 50 years as a priest.

Arkansas/Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Arkansas became Father James Fanrak’s adopted state

Father John Antony, who celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest on Pentecost May 23, gives a homily during the eighth-grade Trinity Junior High School graduation May 18 in Fort Smith.

Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Feeding spiritual family a top priority for Father Antony

Father Jerome Earley, who has been a Carmelite priest for 25 years, was named superior of Marylake Monastery June 22. He hopes to create a new vision and purpose for Marylake and more ways to serve the diocese.

Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

New superior eyes retreats’ return to Marylake Monastery

Father Siprianus Ola Rotok, SVD, blesses congregants at St. Peter Church in Pine Bluff. Originally from Indonesia, he has served in Bolivia, Texas, Iowa, Louisiana and Arkansas throughout his 25 years of ministry.

Jubilee! A series in celebration/News

Ordinary events led Father Rotok to priesthood 25 years ago

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