About Our Lady of Good Counsel · Little Rock, Arkansas
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a Roman Catholic parish in the heart of Little Rock, Arkansas, in the Diocese of Little Rock's Central Deanery. The parish describes itself as a growing multicultural community that celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, with a bilingual Wednesday evening Mass as well. It serves as home to a Catholic campus ministry for the University of Arkansas – Little Rock, and is well known for its 24-hour perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel. The parish sits on South Van Buren Street and continues to minister to a diverse, inner-city flock in Pulaski County.
- Patron
- Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Rector
- Fr. J. Jaime Nieto
- Diocese
- Diocese of Little Rock (Central Deanery)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Good Counsel welcomes newcomers into a multicultural parish family with an unusually rich sacramental schedule — two Spanish Masses on Sunday, an English Mass, and a bilingual Wednesday evening Mass — so almost anyone in central Arkansas can find a service that feels like home. The parish is one of a small number offering 24-hour Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, with a Friday morning Holy Hour and Benediction led by a priest. Active faith formation for children, a youth ministry, a St. Vincent de Paul-style outreach program, and a Catholic Campus Ministry to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock make it a vibrant place to belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of Good Counsel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (before the 6:00 PM bilingual Mass)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (before the 4:30 PM Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Perpetual (24-hour) Adoration in the parish chapel — call the parish office for the chapel code
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Holy Hour and Benediction with Fr. Luyet
About Our Lady of Good Counsel
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a growing multicultural Catholic parish in the heart of Little Rock, Arkansas, and is part of the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Little Rock. The parish welcomes guests at every liturgy and invites newcomers to join the church family through its office on South Van Buren Street. Its long history on Little Rock's west side, its bilingual Mass schedule, its perpetual adoration chapel, and its role as home to a diocesan House of Formation make it a distinctive presence in the Diocese of Little Rock today.
- Multicultural parish in central Little Rock (Pulaski County)
- One of three Sunday Masses offered in Spanish
- Bilingual Wednesday evening Mass
Parish History
The parish was already on the rolls of the Diocese of Little Rock in 1911, listed alongside the Cathedral of St. Andrew and St. Edward (German) in the city. By the mid-twentieth century the parish had relocated to its current South Van Buren Street campus (1955), where it continues to minister today. The most visible chapter of parish life was its school — see below.
Our Lady of Good Counsel School (1894–2006)
The parish's school opened in 1894 as 'Capitol Hill School' at Ninth and Marshall streets in downtown Little Rock and was one of the oldest Catholic schools in Arkansas. As the parish moved west and enrollment grew, the school was relocated in 1955 to its current 12th-and-Jackson-street building, with additional classrooms added in 1962 and 1988. The Sisters of Mercy staffed the school and supplied most of its principals; Sr. Dorothy Ann Plafcan, RSM, was the last religious-order principal in 1992. Enrollment peaked around 384 students in 1990 but had fallen to 136 by 2005–06, and on May 26, 2006, pastor Fr. Richard Zawadzki, SVD, closed the school at Bishop J. Peter Sartain's direction after 112 years of service to the diocese. The former school building is now used for homeschooling, parish meetings, wedding receptions, and events hosted for neighboring parishes.
- Founded 1894 at Ninth and Marshall streets (originally Capitol Hill School)
- Relocated 1955 to 12th and Jackson streets
- Additional classrooms built 1962 and 1988
- Closed May 26, 2006
Diocesan House of Formation (2012)
On September 20, 2012, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor dedicated a new diocesan House of Formation on the Our Lady of Good Counsel campus for men discerning the priesthood — a sign of the parish's continuing importance for diocesan vocations beyond its pastoral ministry to neighborhood families.
- Bishop Anthony B. Taylor dedicated the House of Formation on Sept. 20, 2012
- Located on the parish campus in central Little Rock
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor and deacon and supported by a full-time office, faith-formation, youth, and maintenance team. Contact emails for each staff role are published on the diocesan parish page.
- Pastor: Fr. J. Jaime Nieto ([email protected])
- Deacon: Dc. James Goodhart ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Maria 'Lupita' Guadalupe Guido ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Luna ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Margarita Montiel ([email protected])
- Maintenance Supervisor: Manuel Gaitan ([email protected])
- Assistant Maintenance Engineer: John Farmer ([email protected])
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Charlotte Self ([email protected])
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The parish runs a Religious Education program for children directed by Maria Luna, as well as an active Youth Ministry coordinated by Charlotte Self ([email protected]). Together these ministries anchor the parish's work with young families in central Little Rock.
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Luna ([email protected])
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Charlotte Self ([email protected])
Catholic Campus Ministry at UALR
Our Lady of Good Counsel hosts Catholic Campus Ministry for the University of Arkansas – Little Rock, welcoming students, faculty, and staff to the parish community. The campus minister is Susej Thompson ([email protected]), and inquiries can also be directed to the parish office at (501) 666-5073.
- Campus Minister: Susej Thompson ([email protected])
- Parish contact: (501) 666-5073
- Welcomes all UALR students, faculty, and staff
Get Involved
The parish invites volunteers into Liturgy and Parish Involvement, Outreach, and seasonal volunteer opportunities — three broad families of service that keep the parish active and welcoming. Volunteers can sign up by calling the parish office.
- Liturgy and Parish Involvement
- Outreach volunteer opportunities
- Seasonal volunteer opportunities
- Sign up by calling 501-666-5073
Visit and Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at any Mass or by contacting the office to join the parish, ask about sacraments, or arrange access to the perpetual adoration chapel.
- Office: 1321 S. Van Buren St., Little Rock, AR 72204
- Phone: (501) 666-5073
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- General email: [email protected]
- Website: http://goodcounsellr.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Richard Zawadzki, SVD
Pastor in 2006 when he petitioned Bishop J. Peter Sartain to close Our Lady of Good Counsel School after 112 years.