Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church1003 North Tyler Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

“Encounter Jesus, Serve Others.”

Fr. John Marconi, Pastorjmarconi@holysouls.org

Deacon John HallDeacon Lawrence H. Jegley (Retired)

Susej Thompson, Pastoral Music DirectorWendy Floriani, Director of Youth Faith Formation

Denise Dumars, Director of Youth MinistryLaura G. Humphries, Parish Life

& Stewardship DirectorSusie Williams, Facilities & Events Coordinator

Shelley Tienken, Business ManagerNan Connell, Accountant

Cindy Stabnick, Pastoral SecretaryStacey Matchett, Church Secretary

Nancy Handloser, Principal

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - May 10, 2020

Church Office: (501) 663-8632 • Website: www.holysouls.org • E-mail: office@holysouls.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/OLHSAR

Church Office Hours: Closed School: (501) 663-4513 • Cafeteria: 501) 663-6125 • Extended Care: (501) 663-7438

“ A Better Person Now?”

(Continued on page 3)

Deacon John’s Homily from the 4th Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020

This is the first Sunday of our Easter season that doesnot have a resurrection story as our gospel. Instead wehave a John’s version of a parable. In the three synopticgospels, parables might begin with “The kingdom of heavenis like . . . “ In John’s gospel, his version of parables beginwith: “I am the Vine…” or “I am the the Way, the truth andthe life…” and today “I am the gate…” Parables you recall,use a simple story to teach a lesson. In today’s gospel,Jesus uses a story – especially relevant in the first century- about sheep herding as a way of teaching us that Jesus isthe means by which we can experience the kingdom of God.

Now I think I can safely say the chances of a sheepherder listening to this homily is somewhere between slimand none. So, for us who aren’t sheep herders, what can wetake from this gospel – especially in the midst of thecoronavirus, social distancing and isolation?

Today is the 4th Sunday of Easter, but I have to ask: doyou feel like your life is any different than before Easter ordoes it seem we are on an extended Lent? Before Easter

Prayer for MothersLoving Father, help all mothers to follow the example of Maryin doing Your will. Aid them in seeing human life as a pre-cious gift from You and a manifestion of Your will. Give thema generous spirit to be willing to sacrifice for the sake oftheir offspring. Fill their hearts with joy as they watch theirchildren grow, and give them strength and consolationwhen they see them suffer. Help mothers to be examples offaith, hope and charity, so their children will grow to Chris-tian maturity. Help them know that their children are Yours.Amen.

Fr. John, Deacon John, and the staff of Holy Souls Parishwish all mothers, grandmother, aunts, and all women a HappyMother’s Day!

FIRST READING: Acts 6:1-7

“Beyond Imagining”

“Stones That Live”

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission fromLectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

GOSPEL: John 14:1-12

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from LectionaryBulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

Reflection on This Sunday’s Readings

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“Vocations”

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2: 4-9

It started with an argument about dinner. Three weeksago we heard the happy story of the blissful teamworkamong the early Christians. They loved one another, sharedthings in common, and their numbers grew. Well, thehoneymoon is over. As the numbers increased, so diddisagreements. It all started with an argument aboutdinner.

Greek widows were not getting enough to eat beforethe food ran out. The Twelve were too busy preaching tomanage meals. But they had to have charity at home ifthey were to preach authentically, so they appointed sevenleaders to straighten out the problems with dinner. That ishow we first got deacons in the church.

Deacons may have started as table ministers, but theydid not end that way. Not long after this story we find thempreaching the gospel near and far with all the fervor of theTwelve. The word of God spread because of the work ofdeacons, but it never would have happened if there hadnot first been an argument about dinner.

Arguments do not have to lead to anger and brokenrelationships. They can lead to solutions with better resultsthan anyone ever imagined.

A good artist can take something other people overlookand make it beautiful—a leaf, a pebble, or even a scuff ora scratch. An artist knows how to set something simple inan environment where its inner beauty shines.

God is the ultimate artist. God can take each of us,no matter how beautiful or ugly we are outside or inside,and turn us into a vision of glory.

The First Letter of Peter calls us stones, material thatcan be overlooked or used for building. Jesus was a living

stone that many people rejected. But God the artist foundwhat was precious in Jesus the stone. The letter says, “likeliving stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house tobe a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices.” If we cometo Christ, the living stone, he will fashion us into somethingremarkable.

Other people may not appreciate our inner beauty. Theymay not notice the gifts we have. They may not know howwe can grace their lives. They may even make us feeluseless.

But God finds us most useful. We are living stones,pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

Some people overlook what good Christians think anddo. They build arsenals rather than feed the hungry. Theysever relationships rather than grant forgiveness. Theysquander time rather than use it for the good. But Godappreciates the good we do and builds us up as living stones.

Roman Catholics in the United States spend a gooddeal of time speaking of “vocation” and the manner in whicheach of us discerns our vocation for life. In today’s apostolicletter, however, Peter gives us the “cornerstone” of ourvocation, the description of what each of us is called to firstand foremost by our baptism. He describes our vocation as“a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peopleof [God’s] own, so that you may announce the praises” ofChrist, who called us out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9).All of us, no matter what path our life’s vocation may take usdown, have been chosen by God, made holy, and anointedas priests in the high priesthood of Christ through baptism.All of this, so that we may announce the praises of Christ.Vocation is given for proclamation at home, in theworkplace—wherever life takes us—in service, in word, andin sacrament.

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WE NEED MORE!

WE NEEDMORE!

“A Better Person Now”(Continued from Page 1)

we were making Lenten sacrifices. Before Easter there wasa pandemic. After Easter there’s still a pandemic and weare still making sacrifices. Things in our world do kind oflook the same – before and after Easter.

But our Christianity tells us that Jesus overcame death,sins are forgiven, love prevails and all things are made newagain. Alleluia & Christ has risen. And I do believe it. ButI have to admit some days, especially with this coronavirus,time seems to be moving even slower than a snail’s paceas each day drags on and we’re reminded of the number ofinfections, the number of those who died. And we pile ontop of that the people we know who are out of work, the risein unemployment, the challenges of our medical providers,first responders . . . our Easter mantra ‘Alleluia and Christhas risen’ is, at times, hard to hear.

All of which makes today’s gospel story about sheepand their shepherd even more relevant to us because intimes like these, we can become like lost sheep who loseour way, get distracted and need to be reminded of the onevoice who gives us life – an abundant life full of blessings.

Some of my blessings these past 7 weeks includerunning a full-time daycare for our grandkids, building abirdhouse and hanging some birdfeeders. I’ve seen thatyou too have completed a number of projects around thehome. And I’ve met neighbors I’ve never seen before . . .entire families taking afternoon walks, baseball and soccergames in the front yard . . . The few times I’ve been out ofthe house, there were more courteous drivers, motioningothers to go first instead of insulting one another. I’ve seenlines of people waiting patiently while social distancing atthe grocery store. I’ve noticed more news stories on tvhighlighting generosity and kindness . . . showing howpeople are pulling together to care for one another . . .people are sharing time, talents and treasure with strangers.This world-wide crisis has brought out the best in countlesspeople.

On late night TV recently, Stephen Colbert and MatthewMcConaughey were conversing about the crisis and theyoffered some great advice: They agreed that this crisis hasrequired people to endure more than life has ever asked ofthem. But once this crisis ends and we get to the otherside, we will want to look back and remember how we treatedone another. And we will be able to say, I am now a betterperson because I . . .

For you and I, we will be a better person because welistened to voice of the Lord our Shepherd and we loved oneanother as our Lord has loved us – especially during thistime of need.

Donate blood at ourArkansas Blood Institute

BLOOD DRIVEon Sunday, May 17th8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Allen Center

For this blood drive, if possible please go towww.arkbi.org

(then Find a Blood Drive - 72205 - 5/17/2020)to make an appointment so we can

“socially distance” the flow of blood donors.However, drop ins are welcome!

GLO E

BVOD

I

Donors will be checked in at door with temperaturetaken. For your safety, all workers will wear masks,and masks are available for all donors.

YOUR BLOOD DONATIONIS DESPERATELY NEEDED!

Questions? Contact Cindy at cstabnick@holysouls.org.

Responding to the Word This Week

*To reflect on this Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm

Jesus tells us that we can only surviveif we join ourselves to his life.

What can I do this weekto invite Jesus to“remain in me”?

Jesus, I will . . .

Thank you for using Online Giving. Parishioners who usethe service are pleased with how easy it is to set up andmanage. If you have not yet signed up for Online Giving,please consider this option. This is the perfect time to be-gin donating online with the cancellation of Masses due tothe Coronavirus. Holy Souls Parish needs your continuedsupport! Visit our parish website at www.holysouls.org.

Thank you for supporting our church.

Weekend Collections – May 2 & 3 $ 8,186Total May Collections $ 8,186Total May Budgeted Collections $ 108,000

Actual Collections (7/1/19 -4/30/20) $ 1,089,696Budgeted (7/1/19 - 4/30/20) $ 1,267,000Amount in deficit of Budget $ (177,304)

Maintenance Fund $ 111

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COLLECTIONS/STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock is committed to pro-tecting children and young people. If you are aware ofabuse or have been abused by Clerics, Church volun-teers, or Church workers, please contact the State ofArkansas Hotline for Crimes against Children at 1-800-

482-5964 and the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs, Dcn. MatthewA. Glover, (501) 664-0340 ext. 361. For pastoral assistance pleasecontact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of LittleRock: Laura Gosponer, (501) 664-0340, ext. 425. Diocese of LittleRock, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.

MAKE A VISIT TO CHURCHAND PICK UP . . .

Holy Souls Parish has printed a “Blessing of Your Home”booklet and filled Holy Water bottles for you to take home tobless your home. A Spiritual Communion Prayer Cardwhich was created, printed and donated by Tom Kirchner isalso available in the church vestibule. Also printed copies ofthe bulletin are at the church doors.

You may visit Holy Souls Churchfor private prayer time:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

(enter Church through Handicapped Door or Choir Door)

Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Saturday: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(all Church Doors open)

CONFESSIONSYou may go to Confession on:

Wednesday: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.Saturday: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Next weekend, May 16 & 17, the Catholic CommunicationCampaign will be collected. Half of the collection stays inthe Diocese of Little Rock to support the communicationsministries, including the newspaper and websites. Yourdonation makes it possible for nearly 6,000 free ArkansasCatholic digital subscriptions to be given to readers whorequest it. Your donation also supports the diocesanwebsite, www.dolr.org.

If you haven’t already, please drop off/mail your donation tothe church or make an online gift at dolr.org/online-giving.Thank you.

Senior High CYM is now Zooming on Wednesday eveningsat 6 p.m.To join, just text Denise Dumars, Director of YouthMinistry, at 501-554-6929 for the code!

ATTENTION TEENAGERS

became Pope Francis), discovered this devotion to Marywhich he still promotes to this day.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, straightens out the ribbon of ourlives and directs us on a straight path to Jesus, her son.The Blessed Virgin helps us loosen the knots that suffocaterelationships between married couples, parents, theirchildren, our neighbors, and most importantly, with JesusChrist. We at Holy Souls have a Mary, Undoer of Knots,display in the southeast corner of the sanctuary. We inviteyou to take a look at the knots that weigh on your heart.Write your prayers or “knots” onto the strips of paper youwill find by the display and tie them onto the frames andentrust them to Mary’s intercession. When your prayer isanswered, you may tie a special blue ribbon on the panel.

Mary, Undoer of KnotsThe devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots,dates back to 17th century Germany,when a couple on the verge ofseparation sought help from a priestwho was known for his strong Mariandevotion. The priest began to ask forMary’s intercession to “untie the knots”in their relationship, and peace wasrestored to their marriage. In 1980,Jorge Mario Bergoglio (who later

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REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERSRegistration for new members is completed in the church officeor online by visiting our web page, www.holysouls.org. Pleasecontact the church office or go online at www.holysouls.org ifyou have moved, changed your telephone number, movedfrom your parent’s home or graduated from college.

RCIAIf you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact CindyStabnick at 501-663-8632 or cstabnick@holysouls.org.

RETURNING CATHOLICSIf you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church, pleasecontact Cindy Stabnick at 663-8632 or cstabnick@holysouls.org.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONSaturdays from 2:30 to 3:30pm and Wednesdays from 4:30 to5:00pm or call the church office for an appointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open from 7am-4pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,& Friday), enter through the chapel door or handicapped door.The Church is open on Wednesday from 7am till 5pm; on Saturdayfrom 2 till 3:30pm; and on Sunday, from 8am till 4pm. On thosedays enter through any of the doors.

BAPTISMBaptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please callthe church office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEContact the church office a minimum of six months in advance.

OUR PARISHIONERS -- Sherry Wortsmith; Corky Zaloudek; Becky Price;Robert Carter; Joe & Pat Kirchner; Lillian Henriquez; Mary Adney; Rob Mondy; BobSkarda; Rosie Searle; Jessica Remsing; Kate Evans; Benjamin Stuart; CharlieBaker; Greg Sheard; Micki & Robert Fitzpatrick; Judy Caldarera; GlennabellMcCumpsey; Rita Williams; Kay Loss; Tina Pinter; Henry Schulte; Pat Keogh; JanetDavis; Dorothy Ehlebracht; Andy Gentry; Nick Kirchner; Annette Wahlgreen;George Loss; Alice Henry; Pearl Gentry; David Smith; Annabelle Giardina;Sally Place; Judy Sims; MaryAnn Stafford; Pat Kirchner; Phil Marks; and PatKing.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS -- Carl Calhoun; the JonathanForte Family; the Petty Family; Betty Franzetti; Scott Helmbeck; KatieEhemann; Alice Humphries; Clem Egleston; Ronny Troillett; Natalie Miller;Jim Hollowell; Kathleen Stafford; Lindsay Newsom, Jerry Hall; MichaelTaylor; Theresa Carle; Suzanne Hawkins; Rosemary Kraft; Anne Peterson;Nicole Harris Hulse; Chris Ashcraft; Dorothy Pumphrey; and David & MaryPhillips.

THOSE WHO HAVE DIED -- Maurene Lavinia Golden, aunt of Kelly Ochoaand great-aunt of Rosemarie and Amelia Ochoa.

OUR SEMINARIANS -- especially Quinn Thomas and Christopher Elser

In order to keep our bulletin prayer list up-to-date for the sick, names will remain onthe list for four weeks. Then their name will be written in the Book of Intercessionwhere they will be remember during every Mass. To continue for another four weeks,please call the church office.

Laura Humphries,Parish Life & Stewardship Director

Grateful Stewardsof God’s Gifts . . .

“He gave her his hand and raised her up” Acts 9:41

Who or what needs raising up in your world today? Hasyour relationship with your spouse or other family membersfallen into pettiness or tit-for-tat bickering? A little patienceand kindness can raise these relationships back to dignityand love. You may have a friend who, fallen on hard times,is low-spirited or depressed. Your own sense of self mayneed renewal if you languish in feelings of unworthinessand self-loathing. Our world is always in need of miracles of“raising up”. Stretch out a hand to raise someone orsomething up today. An excerpt from Living with Christ

When I read this excerpt I thought the author knew that theCoronavirus was here. We all need a little lifting up fromtime to time but probably more now than usual. This feelingof helplessness has done a number on me. It has made meacutely aware of my limitations, of how little power I actuallyhave, and how deeply dependent I am on the mercy of God.I am so very grateful for my faith and for the fact that I havea relationship with God. I am blessed and I know it. Godhas been good to me and I am very grateful. We are all inneed of a miracle cure or vaccine and with all of us prayingit will happen. We will have a new normal; this is a termthat I have used in our grief support groups for years. Thingswill change and we will adapt. We may not like it; changeis difficult at best. Our lives will not be the same as theywere before March 17th, but they can be okay if we choose.We can make this happen if we have faith and trust in God.He will lead us through this difficult time. And looking atthem Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible,but with God all things are possible.” Mt 19:26. Raise upyour worries to the Lord, he will take care of it.

Robert FlynnSponsored by the

Holy Souls Men’s Club

WHY: Robert Flynn MemorialScholarship Fund(Funds 12 semester scholarshipsat Holy Souls School per year.)

WHEN: NEW DATE - Saturday, Oct. 3Shotgun Start - 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Country Club of Ark. in MaumelleWHO: Individuals and/or teamsCOST: $85 per person

Memorial Golf Tournament

Registration form available at www.holysouls.org

Encounter Jesus, Serve Others

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Due to the cancellation of Masses due to the Coronavirus,Fr. John will be offering most of the weekday Mass Inten-tions when he offers his private daily Masses. His SundayMass, which is being recorded and placed on Facebook,will be offered for the Intentions of Parishioners. All otherscheduled Mass Intentions will be rescheduled when ourparish Masses resume.

That deacons, faithful in their serviceto the Word and the poor, may be

an invigorating symbol for the entire church.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

May 2020Pope Francis’

Intentions:

Tuesday, May 12Virginia & Joe Fetzek by The Fetzek Family

Wednesday, May 13Joe & Margaret Beck by Louis Beck

Thursday, May 14Kathleen McCarthy by Holy Souls Men’s Club

Friday, May 15Ann Shirkey by Joann Minton

Sunday, May 17Intentions of Parishioners

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor supports the efforts of the 2020census to count every person who lives in the United States.Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federalfunding is distributed to states and communities each yearfor schools, health care facilities, roads and social services.Your responses to the census are safe and secure. Thelaw requires the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your informationconfidential and your responses cannot be used againstyou in any way.

You should have already received Official Census mail withdetailed information on how to respond. You can completeit however is easiest for you: online at my2020census.govor by phone (844) 330-2020. If you do no respond, you canexpect a questionnaire to be mailed to your house.

Watch Fr. John’s Mass online. His Mass is livestreamedon Saturday evening at 4 p.m. You can watch it live at thattime or anytime after the conclusion of the filming. Go to ourFacebook page (www.facebook.com/OLHSAR).

SAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY IN MAYDuring the month of Mary, our Blessed Mother (the monthof May), at 7pm each evening. a different parishioner/fam-ily will be livestreamings the Rosary. Join them onFacebook page (www.facebook.com/OLHSAR).

God’s Word for Children

Due to the cancellation ofall Masses in our Diocese

due to the coronavirus,please only print

150 copiesof our bulletin.

Thanks!Cindy Stabnick

501-663-2032