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

Fr. Maraiah Pasala, Associate PastorDeacon John Hall

Deacon Lawrence H. Jegley (Retired)Susej Thompson, Pastoral Music Director

Wendy Floriani, Director of Youth Faith FormationDenise Dumars, Director of Youth Ministry

Laura 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

THE MOST HOLY BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST - June 14, 2020

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

Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. School: (501) 663-4513 • Cafeteria: 501) 663-6125

Extended Care: (501) 663-7438

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Grief and Covid-19Laura Humphries,

Parish Life & Stewardship Director

These last months, well ever since mid-March, life haschanged. First, some of us left our workplaces and becamehomeschoolers and home workers. That was pretty difficult.The stress of working from home, having to make sure thatour children were doing their school work, making sure socialdistance was maintained and even finding toilet paper. Lifewas so different. I found myself saying multiple times “I don’tknow.” That was the answer to so many questions. The feelingof insecurity, of not knowing what would happen, it all led togrieving a life we had, a life that is now gone, one we maynever see again. As well as grieving loved ones lost. Of course,there is hope but there is still fear of the unknown but withGod we can face it.

Now that we can go to church again, get out of the house,or go to a restaurant if we choose, there is an emotion wemay begin to feel. It is called anticipatory grief. That is whenwe don’t really know what to expect or what we are going tolose in the future, and so, we grieve. We don’t really knowwhat the new normal will look like but we will have to moveon, we can’t sit still. Mindy Cassel, Ph.D. believes anxietyincreases even when you haven’t lost a person but a lifestyle,

MEET FATHER MARAIAH

Since Fr. Maraiah (more-rye-ah) came to Holy Soulsduring the Coronavirus epidemic, most of our Holy Soulsparishioners have not have the opportunity to meet ournew Associate Pastor. Learn more about him below!

I am Fr. Maraiah Pasal. I was born on March 8, 1979in a small Catholic village, Telangana, which is located inthe southern part of India. My parents are Papaiah andMary Vasantha. I have only one sibling named Bala Shekar,who is married and is blessed with two children. My familywere farmers.

In 1995, I finished my high school and then joined theseminary. It was 13 years of long formation to the Priest-hood during which I completed my graduate and post gradu-

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“Food from Heaven”

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16a

“Hungry Grouches”

“Real Communion”

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 6: 51-58

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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Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Responding to the Word This Week

*To reflect on this Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/061420.cfm

Jesus offers himself as the bread that nourishes us.What can I offer to nourishthe lives of others today?

Jesus, be with me so that . . . .

How do you act when you get hungry? If dinner is lateor service is slow, are you known for your patience?

Moses told the people that God made them hungry inthe desert to find out how they would handle it. Wouldthey still keep the commandments even when they werehungry?

Imagine being judged on how you acted when you werehungry. Most of us would want to be judged in othercircumstances: on those occasions when we helped ourneighbor, when we gave a generous gift, or surprisedsomeone with a compliment. But how we act when we arehungry? That is not fair.

In reality, we are hungry all the time. We hunger forjustice, for love, for faith, and for community. We hungerfor deeper union with the God who made us. If God wondershow we behave when we are hungry, the evidence mountsup every moment of every day.

The manna that God sent to the desert fed hungrybellies, and the word that God spoke through Moses fedhungry spirits. If people responded in gratitude, theypleased God.

When we gather for Eucharist, God’s word forms usand God’s food feeds us. If we respond in gratitude, weplease God.

“The Body of Christ” refers to the church as well as tothe Eucharist. When we share in the Body and Blood ofChrist, we have communion with God and with one another.

Jesus is present to us in many ways. We hear hisvoice in the gospel. We experience his love in ourcommunity. We receive him sacramentally in theEucharist. We are called the Body of Christ because Christdwells with us.

St. Paul wrote the Corinthians, “Because the loaf ofbread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we allpartake of the one loaf.”

When we receive communion we experience ourcommunion with one another. Many though we are, we

are one in Christ. Just as many grains of wheat make oneloaf, just as one loaf is shared by many people, just asmany people become one by sharing that one loaf, so do wemany become one in Christ. Jesus unites our communitywhen we share our communion together.

Paul’s words were especially significant to theCorinthians. He began this letter addressing the divisions intheir church and calling the faithful there to unity. At thispoint in his letter, we understand why. Their unity in the churchis critical to the integrity of their worship.

If our Eucharist is to be sincere, our communion mustbe real. We eat the Body of Christ. We drink the Blood ofChrist. We are the Body of Christ.

God sustained the people of Israel for forty years in thedesert with manna sent down from heaven, and Mosesdoesn’t want them to forget it. God brought forth water fromstone for them to drink, and Moses doesn’t want them toforget this, either. And Moses tells them—twice—that thefood that God sent was a food that neither they nor theirancestors before them had ever experienced before.

Jesus too speaks of food come down from heaven, foodthat the Jewish people had never experienced before.Recalling the manna in the desert, Jesus doesn’t want themto forget it either, explaining that he is the food and drink ofeternal life. And Paul reiterates to the Corinthians and to allof us that in the bread and in the cup, we share in the bodyand blood of Christ.

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(continued from page 1)

ate degrees of Philosophy and Theology. On April 27, 2009,I was ordinated to the Priesthood. After my ordination, I wasappointed as Associate Pastor for one year. For the nexttwo years, I served as the Bishop’s Secretary. Then, I servedin a parish as the pastor for 5 years.

After a long and wonderful journey, on September 19,2019, I landed in the USA for the first time in my life. Uponarrival to Arkansas, I spent 10 days in the Diocesan Officeand introduced myself to the Diocesan Staff. It was a won-derful experience.

My first appointment was at Immaculate ConceptionCatholic Church in North Little Rock. I was there for 8 months;it was a good experience working with Fr. John Wakube andthe staff. I truly enjoyed my ministry there!

Since May 29th, my new appointment is here at OurLady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. I am happy toserve and look forward to do my Pastoral Ministry at HolySouls Parish. I thank Fr.John Marconi, the staff and theparishioners for their warm welcome.

“Working Together with Happinessis a Wonderful Journey”

MEET FATHER MARAIAH

Laura Humphries,Parish Life & Stewardship Director

Grateful Stewardsof God’s Gifts . . .

“He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, I will doit. Be made clean.” Matthew 8:3

The hand we stretch out in our attempt to live as lovingly asJesus did might not bring about physical healing like that ofa leper’s, but we can at least momentarily relieve anotherperson from his or her discomforting situation. We canextend our hand of kindness in such a way that it leavesthe other person with a touch of Christ-like care: the handsending a positive social media message or writing a letterof affirmation, the hands reaching for a crying child, thehand offered to an elderly person with an unsteady gait, thehand holding the check or the provisions ready to give afood pantry, the hand extended to someone who hasoffended us or to those we shun because of how societydeems them unworthy, the touch of our hand placed on thehand of someone sorrowing or distressed... Let us stretchout our hand and extend Christ-like kindness to those whoenter our life today. An excerpt from Living Faith

As stewards of God’s gifts we are called to use them. All ofus are given the gift of God’s love. We are all God’s children,all of us all over the world, of all races, classes, and ethnicorigins. God created us all to love Him, to serve Him, to bea part of His family. We are all loved by a most generousand merciful God. He calls us to love Him above all thingsand then to love our neighbor as ourselves. Perhaps that iswhere the breakdown is. We don’t love ourselves so wecan’t love others, or is it that we love ourselves too muchand are too selfish to share the love of God with others.There is a breakdown. It is a good thing that God is so fullof love and is so merciful. As Catholic Christians we arecalled to stand up when we see injustice. We are supposedto right wrongs. We are called to be God’s people. That iswhy God must be a part of the change. With God’s help,there is always hope. God’s love is strong enough toovercome anything. With God anything is possible.

Encounter Jesus, Serve Others

LEADER OR CO-LEADERSNEEDED FOR

Holy Souls Altar SocietyThe Altar Society for our parish of Holy Souls is in dire needof a leader or co-leaders. The group meets once a monthon the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm for dinner and ameeting. The purpose of the Altar Society is to encouragespiritual growth for the women of the parish along withsupporting the physical needs of the church. For many years,the major fundraiser has been the Mardi Gras celebration.Last year, they also raised funds with a Dia de los MuertosCelebration, but nothing is set in stone. This year theysupported a very successful Father/Daughter Dance. Thisorganization needs your help now; please contact the churchoffice to volunteer or talk about volunteering. It is a greatopportunity to be involved and also to help the parish.

Cancellation of 2020ARKANSAS CATHOLIC

CHARISMATIC CONFERENCEThe 2020 Arkansas Catholic Charismatic Conference hasbeen canceled due to the COVID-19 virus in our country.The conference was scheduled for July 24-26 at theWyndham Riverfront in NLR. The ACCC committee issaddened that the cancellation had to take place this yearbut look forward to seeing everyone in 2021. Furtherinformation can be found at www.ARKCC.ORG.

Please be sure to thank the generous advertisers in ourbulletin. Through their participation, our parish receives ourweekly bulletin free of charge.

Mass attendance, June 6 & 7 195

Weekend Collections – June 6 & 7 $ 24,756Total June Collections $ 24,756Total June Budgeted Collections $ 125,000

Actual Collections (7/1/19 -5/31/20) $ 1,173,531Budgeted (7/1/19 - 5/31/20) $ 1,375,000Amount in deficit of Budget $ (201,569)

Maintenance Fund $ 1,525

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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.

Holy Souls This & That . . .

Thank you for supporting our church.

HELPING HANDHelping Hand is only accepting food at this time. Pleasedo not bring clothes or other items to the church to betaken to Helping Hand.

You may bring food or make a financial donation to HelpingHand either by placing a check made payable to HelpingHand in the collection basket or mailing it to 1601 MarshallAve, Little Rock, AR 72216. We will let you know when youcan bring clothing or other items to the church or to HelpingHand.

2020 VBS CancelledSadly we have made the decision to cancel this summer’sVacation Bible School Program. Due to the COVID-19uncertainties, we feel it is the best decision at this time inorder to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our volunteersand our children. Please know that we came to this decisionafter much thought and prayer, and although it was not aneasy decision to make, we feel it is best. We continue topray that each and every one of you stay safe and stayhealthy. Thank you for understanding!

Next weekend, June 20 & 21, we will take up the Collectionfor the Church in Latin America. For many in Latin Americaand the Caribbean, a rising secular culture, difficult ruralterrain, and a shortage of ministers all present obstacles topracticing the faith. Your support for the collection provideslay leadership training, catechesis, priestly and religiousformation, and other programs to share our Catholic faithwith those who long to hear the Good News of Christ. Tolearn more about how your gifts make a difference, visitwww.usccb.org/latin-america

WEEKDAY MASSESHAVE RESUMED

Holy Souls has resumed offering weekday Masses. Youcan attend Mass on Tuesday, Thursday, & Fridays at 7:00a.m. and on Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m. No reservation isrequired to attend the weekday Mass. All the COVID-19guidelines regulations apply to attending these Masses.

EVERYONE IS WELCOMETO ATTEND MASS AT HOLY SOULS

Everyone is welcome to attend Mass at Holy Soulsregardless of age, but we must adhere to the guidelinesrecommended by the Civil Authorities and further statedby Bishop Anthony Taylor. In summary they are: A personmust be symptom free, must wear a mask at Mass,maintain 6' social distance, and use hand sanitizer uponentering the church. Attending Mass during the pandemicis completely up to the individual. Bishop Taylor hasextended the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligationuntil further notice. If staying home is a better option, the4pm Mass is live streamed on Saturdays. You may watchit live at 4pm or anytime after the end of the recording(after 5pm). To attend Mass at Holy Souls, a reservationis required by calling 501-663-8632 or emailingsmatchett@holysouls.org.

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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 4:00 to5:00pm or call the church office for an appointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open for private prayer time on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, & Friday from 7:30am-3pm; time; and on Wednesdayfrom 7:30am -5:15pm. Please enter through the chapel door orhandicapped door.

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 Fitzpatrick; Judy Caldarera; Glennabell McCumpsey;Rita Williams; Kay Loss; Tina Pinter; Henry Schulte; Pat Keogh; Janet Davis;Dorothy Ehlebracht; Andy Gentry; Nick Kirchner; Annette Wahlgreen; GeorgeLoss; Alice Henry; Pearl Gentry; David Smith; Annabelle Giardina; Sally Place;Judy Sims; MaryAnn Stafford; Pat Kirchner; Phil Marks; Pat King; and ColemanLiles.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS -- Carl Calhoun; the JonathanForte Family; the Petty Family; Scott Helmbeck; Katie Ehemann; AliceHumphries; Clem Egleston; Ronny Troillett; Natalie Miller; Jim Hollowell;Kathleen Stafford; Lindsay Newsom, Jerry Hall; Michael Taylor; TheresaCarle; Suzanne Hawkins; Rosemary Kraft; Anne Peterson; Chris Ashcraft;Dorothy Pumphrey; David & Mary Phillips; JoAnne Krisko; Gretchen Golden;Sylvia Crawford; Jamey Coyle; and Lucille Marconi.

That all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched

by the Heart of Jesus.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

June 2020Pope Francis’ Intentions:

like a lifestyle we all lost when COVID-19 appeared. Shesays, “So, it affects us emotionally, it affects us behaviorally.So, you feel it physically.”

She explains some key ways to work through your grief:• First find acceptance.• Find out what you can do and do it.• Wash your hands,• Keep a safe distance• If you can, work virtually.• When the grief causes physical pain, manage it.• When you find yourself thinking the worst,

immediately think of something goodthat you’re grateful for.

• To calm yourself, come to the present.• Meditation or grounding is a good way to do this.Also, Cassel believes grief is meant to be shared, so

reach out. People who do say… “It gave them strength anda support that they found strengths they never knew theyhad,” said Cassel. Experts also believe it’s absurd to thinkwe should not feel grief right now. For those who are grievingloss, there are several online support groups to help yougain the coping skills you will need. You can find resourcesfrom the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization,www.nhpco.org.

OUR SEMINARIANS -- especially Alex Smith and Emmanuel Torres.

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.

Grief and Covid-19(continued from page 1)

SEARCH #148 RETREATRegistrations are now being accepted for Search #148, aretreat to help juniors and seniors in high school get toknow themselves better, deepen their friendship with Christ,and find support in living out their faith. The summer Searchis open to in-coming juniors, seniors and recently graduatedseniors. Search #148 will be held at St. John Center, LittleRock, over the dates of July 17-19, 2020.

Due to Covid-19 — space will be limited to 30 registrantsand all covid-19 guidelines set by the Bishop will be followed(wearing of masks, distancing, etc.) The fee is $135.00.For more information and registration forms visit our websiteat: dolr.org/sites/default.

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RESERVATIONS NEEDEDTO ATTEND

WEEKEND MASSESSaturdays: 4:00 p.m.

Sundays: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 5:30 p.m.Due to restrictions we are limited on how many can

attend Mass at one time. Each Mass will be limited to 60people. Every person (or family) who wishes to attend aMass must sign up EACH WEEK by emailingsmatchett@holysouls.org or calling the Church Office at501-663-8632. An alternative at Holy Souls is to bring yourown chairs and sit outside in courtyard or in front of thechurch. You must continue to social distance and wear amask. Since we have outside speakers you are able tolisten to Mass and a Eucharistic Minister will bringCommunion to you.

For those still uncomfortable about coming to Mass,remember the Bishop has kept the dispensation in placethat lifts the Sunday obligation until further notice. Plus,we will continue to livestream Mass every weekend onSaturdays at 4:00 p.m.

Please note that all COVID-19 regulations apply. Donot enter the church if you have a fever, are not feeling welltoday, or have been in contact with anyone who has testedpositive for COVID-19. You should also consider notattending if you have a chronic or immune suppressedcondition at any age, such as diabetes, cancer, cancersurvivor, COPD, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic bronchitis,asthma, obesity, and heart disease.

REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN MASSES:1. Every person must sign up each week by emailingsmatchett@holysouls.org or calling the Church Office at501-663-8632. Let us know which Mass time you wouldlike to attend and the names of the members of your familywho are living in your household who will be attending.2. Enter the church through the front doors only.3. Maintain a 6-foot distance between you and any otherperson who does not live with you at all times4. MUST WEAR A MASK, unless under 10 years of age.5. Use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving church.6. Parents with small children, please make sure theykeep the proper distance from others because they haveno concept of Social Distancing.

For more information and rules, visit the bulletin board onour website, www.holysouls.org

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

Watch Holy Souls Mass online. The Saturday Vigil Mass islivestreamed on Saturday evening at 4 p.m. You can watchit live at that time or anytime after the conclusion of thefilming. Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OLHSAR).

CHURCH VISITSYou may visit Holy Souls Church for private prayer time:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

(enter Church through Handicapped Door or Choir Door)andWednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 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.

HOLY SOULSCHURCH

ID# 690

To read the daily reading online, go to www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Monday, June 15 1 Kgs 21:1-16; Ps 5:2-3ab, 4b-7; Mt 5:38-42No Mass

Tuesday, June 16 1 Kgs 21:17-29; Ps 51:3-6ab, 11, 16; Mt 5:43-487:00 a.m. Mass Sandy Pitts by Holy Souls Men’s Club

Wednesday, June 17 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Ps 31:20, 21, 24; Mt 6:1-6, 16-185:30 p.m. Mass Susan Walker by Nancy Bynum-Mack

Thursday, June 18 Sir 48:1-14; Ps 97:1-7; Mt 6:7-157:00 a.m. Mass Leslie & Veronica Flippen by Becky Binz

Friday, June 19 THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS - Dt 7:6-11; Ps 103:1-4, 6-8, 10; 1 Jn 4:7-16; Mt 11:25-307:00 a.m. Mass Fr. James West by Holy Souls Parish

Saturday, June 20 THE IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - 2 Chr 24:17-25; Ps 89:4-5, 29-34; Lk 2:41-514:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Special Intention for Joyce Dillingham by Joy, Jane, Mary & Ann

Sunday, June 21 12TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Jer 20:10-13; Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-338:00 a.m. Mass Special Intention for Amy Wrublesky by Patsy Henderson10:30 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners5:30 p.m. Mass Kathryn Halter by Mary Lou Richards

Mass Intentions may be offered for the Repose of the Soul of a deceased loved one or for healing, a special occasion,or a special intention for yourself, a family member, or friend. Please contact Cindy in the Church Office for more information.