Our Lady of the Holy Souls

About Our Lady of the Holy Souls

Our Lady of the Holy Souls is a Catholic parish of more than 1,500 families in Little Rock's Hillcrest neighborhood, one of central Arkansas's most established Catholic communities. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Little Rock and is led by Pastor Fr. Daniel Velasco and Associate Pastor Fr. Joji Allam, supported by three deacons and a lay staff. Its mission statement, 'Encounter Jesus, Serve Others,' captures the parish's focus on liturgy, formation, and outreach. The parish began celebrating its 100th Anniversary in August 2024, marking a century of Catholic life in the Hillcrest area.

Parish History

The parish's roots reach back to the early 20th century. On January 3, 1927, the parish school opened at the mission church at Tyler and 'I' Streets under Olivetan Benedictine Sisters from Jonesboro, with 40 students enrolled in its first year. For roughly four and a half years, classes were taught inside the church itself — the first two grades in the sacristy and the older grades in the main body of the building, divided by an army curtain. Under Monsignor Francis A. Allen, the school expanded in 1944 with new classrooms, a library, kitchen, office, and auditorium, and graduated its first eighth-grade class in 1946.

• Parish school founded January 3, 1927
• Six students received First Communion May 1, 1927
• First kindergarten added in 1944
• First 8th-grade graduating class in 1946
• 100th Anniversary celebrations launched August 2024

Parish Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Daniel Velasco and Associate Pastor Fr. Joji Allam. Three deacons — Dc. John W. Hall, Dc. James Goodhart, and Dc. Edward 'Ted' Saer — assist with liturgy, faith formation, and parish life. The lay staff includes a Business Manager, Parish Life and Stewardship Director, Music Director, Youth Faith Formation Director, and church and school secretaries.

• Pastor: Fr. Daniel Velasco
• Associate Pastor: Fr. Joji Allam
• Deacon John W. Hall
• Deacon James Goodhart
• Deacon Edward (Ted) Saer
• Business Manager: Shelley Tienken
• Music Director: Carly Golladay
• Youth Director: Andrew Baka
• Parish Life & Stewardship Director: Laura Humphries
• Pastoral Secretary: Carolee Riley
• Church Secretary: Wendy Floriani
• Bulletin Editor & Sacristan: Cindy Stabnick
• Special Events & Facilities Coordinator: Susie Williams
• Social Media Coordinator: Samantha Minster

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at Our Lady of the Holy Souls covers the whole span of Catholic life. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) welcomes adults into the Church, while Youth Faith Formation (YFF) meets Sundays from 9:00 to 10:15 AM in the Parish Hall during the school year for children in grades 1 through 8 who do not attend the parish school. Catholic Youth Ministries (CYM) provides ongoing youth community and faith experiences for older teens.

• OCIA (RCIA) for adults
• Youth Faith Formation (YFF) — Sundays 9:00–10:15 AM, grades 1–8
• First Holy Communion prep (entering 2nd grade)
• Confirmation prep (entering 8th grade)
• Catholic Youth Ministries (CYM)

Our Lady of the Holy Souls School

Our Lady of the Holy Souls School, located adjacent to the parish at 1001 N. Tyler Street, has been educating children in the Hillcrest neighborhood since 1927. The school serves students from PreK3 through 8th grade and today operates 23 classrooms along with a cafeteria, gymnasium, library, art room, music room, computer lab, and science lab. It is led by Principal Amber Bagby and Assistant Principal Sarah Richards. The school is part of the Diocese of Little Rock's Catholic Schools system and observes the diocesan school calendar.

• Grades served: PreK3 – 8th
• Founded: January 3, 1927
• Principal: Amber Bagby
• Assistant Principal: Sarah Richards
• Address: 1001 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72205
• Phone: (501) 663-4513

Music Ministry

The parish's Music Ministry, under Music Director Carly Golladay, supports the sung liturgy of weekend and daily Masses. The ministry welcomes musicians and cantors from the parish community to share their gifts in service of the parish's worship life.

• Music Director: Carly Golladay

Parish Life & Stewardship

Parish Life and Stewardship, directed by Laura Humphries, coordinates the lay apostolate and giving life of Our Lady of the Holy Souls. The office helps parishioners find ways to use their time, talent, and treasure in support of the parish's mission to 'Encounter Jesus, Serve Others.' It works alongside the Special Events and Facilities Coordinator, Susie Williams, who organizes parish gatherings and manages campus use.

• Parish Life & Stewardship Director: Laura Humphries
• Special Events & Facilities Coordinator: Susie Williams

Sacraments

Information about the seven sacraments — including Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, and the Anointing of the Sick — is available through the parish office. Adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full reception into the Catholic Church are invited through OCIA; children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation do so through the Youth Faith Formation program.

• Baptism — contact parish office
• First Holy Communion — YFF, entering 2nd grade
• Confirmation — YFF, entering 8th grade
• Matrimony — contact parish office
• OCIA for adult initiation

Contact & Visit

The parish office is located at 1003 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72205, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The office can be reached by phone at (501) 663-8632 or by email at [email protected]. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at any Mass or parish event.

• Address: 1003 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72205
• Phone: (501) 663-8632
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM