Arkansas Catholic Asks

How do you go on after your daughter or sister is murdered? In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson Spivey of Arkansas Catholic talks with the mother of Patty Guardado, Leonor Garcia, and a younger sister,  Gloria Guardado, about the 10th anniversary of Patty's disappearance and unsolved murder in Little Rock.  Anyone with information regarding Guardado’s case is encouraged to call the Little Rock Police tip line, (501) 371-INFO (4636). Read more about Patty's promising future and her strong faith in the Oct. 16, 2021, issue of Arkansas Catholic. What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

What is the Church going to look like in 2021?  In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Father Jason Tyler, a pastor in Fayetteville and the diocese's bioethicist. They look at why people should return to Mass in their parishes when they are able and moral questions that have been raised about the vaccines.  What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

What do football, friendship and faith have in common? Ask seminarians Duwan Booker and Joel Brackett.  In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Duwan and Joel about how they met at Hendrix College in Conway, once lost in faith and found a path to God in their calling to the priesthood. They discuss their friendship, football and what it means to have a good friend in priestly formation.  What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

How can you take care of yourself and support a loved one with an addiction? In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Susej Thompson, pastoral music director at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock and a frequent retreat leader and speaker. They discuss Susej's ongoing healing from her husband's addiction and death.  What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

How can you have a meaningful Lent this year?  In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Msgr. Scott Friend, diocesan vocations director and minister to priests. They discuss Lenten practices and unique ways to fast, how to make a meaningful confession and the opportunity to give alms to the seminarian fund (https://www.dolr.org/support-seminarian-education). What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Kristy Dunn, principal of St. Theresa School in Little Rock. In part three of our series on immigration, Dunn discusses the welcoming environment for immigrants at her school, as well as concrete ways Catholic churches, schools and laity can be more welcoming to other culture What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with DACA recipient Kevin Azanza, 21, about his work with Act 844, which allowed DACA recipients to pay in-state tuition rates at state or public colleges and universities. With a double major in communications and political science at the University of Arkansas, he shared his views on pressing legislative issues surrounding immigration in Part 2 of our three-part series on immigration in Arkansas. What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

What is life like for Dreamers in Arkansas? In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Maria Garcia, a 22-year-old Catholic living in Little Rock. They look at Maria's journey from Mexico and her plans to get her teacher's license one day. This episode is Part 1 of a three-part series on immigration. What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Message us at mhargett@dolr.org to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

How can the laity provide leadership in the Church now and for the future? In this  episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Dr. Sherry Simon, a clinical psychologist and a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. Dr. Simon is the president of Pax Christi Little Rock, a peace and social justice group that was reestablished in Arkansas in the fall of 2016, part of Pax Christi USA. She is also active in the diocese, including as the first layperson and first woman appointed to the Clergy Personnel Board and as a victims assistance coordinator. We discuss her roles in ministry and the larger role of laypeople in the Church. What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Comment below to suggest a topic you'd like to hear about.

How is one Catholic organization able to reduce homelessness in the state capital? In this episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, Aprille Hanson of Arkansas Catholic talks with Mandy Davis, director of Jericho Way, a day resource center operated by Depaul USA. She shares about new developments that are making affordable housing possible for more low-income residents. What’s next? Subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available. Let us know what topic you'd like to hear about. Contact us at mhargett@dolr.org.

Aprille Hanson, associate editor of Arkansas Catholic, talks with Catherine Phillips, diocesan respect life director, about respecting all life, from conception to natural death, and the coming events to mark the Roe vs. Wade decision in Little Rock.  Make sure you subscribe to this podcast to get updates when the next episode is available.

Father Erik Pohlmeier, diocesan director of the Office of Faith Formation, talks with associate editor Aprille Hanson about the State of Faith Formation report he released this fall and what it means for adults Catholics, whether they are seasoned leaders or they aren't very active beyond Sunday Mass attendance.

In this first episode of Arkansas Catholic Asks, we’re getting to know Jennifer Verkamp, director of Catholic Immigration Services — Little Rock. She shared the impact her world travels have had on her life and career, her recent experience at the U.S.-Mexico border and sheds some light on common myths regarding immigration.