About Saint Albert · Heber Springs, Arkansas
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church is a bilingual Catholic parish in Heber Springs, Arkansas, in Cleburne County, part of the Diocese of Little Rock's Central Deanery. The parish was established to serve Catholics in Cleburne County, who previously had to travel to St. James Church in Searcy for Mass, and grew along with the population drawn to the Greers Ferry Lake area. The current church building was planned in 2005, constructed beginning November 2008, and formally dedicated on December 19, 2009 by Bishop Anthony Taylor. The parish is currently led by Fr. Paul F. Worm and serves worshippers in both English and Spanish, with weekly Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, confession before Mass, and a range of parish commissions for liturgy, formation, social outreach, and parish life.
- Patron
- St. Albert the Great
- Rector
- Fr. Paul F. Worm
- Diocese
- Diocese of Little Rock
Why belong here
St. Albert is a small but warm family parish where worshippers of every background are recognized in Christ and welcomed to share their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. The community offers bilingual worship (English weekly plus bilingual Masses on the third weekend), weekday and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary before Mass, and ongoing faith formation for all ages. Active commissions in Liturgy, Social Ministries, Education/Formation, Parish Life, and Building & Grounds give parishioners clear ways to serve and belong, while the parish also reaches beyond Heber Springs by jointly attending St. Mary Church in Mountain View.
Mass times at Saint Albert
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before each Mass
Adoration times
- Sunday 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday 7:50 a.m. (per catholicmasstime.org)
History of St. Albert Parish
St. Albert was created by the Diocese of Little Rock to meet the needs of Catholics in Cleburne County, an area that had no Catholic church of its own before the parish was founded. With the construction of Greers Ferry Lake and the population growth that followed, what had been a rural corner of central Arkansas attracted enough Catholic families to warrant a parish of its own. By 2005 the community was ready to build a permanent home: planning began that year, fundraising in 2006, and construction in November 2008. The completed church was dedicated on December 19, 2009, when Bishop Anthony Taylor anointed the walls and altar and Father John Agbakwuo received the church key from Ronald Fair before a crowd of more than 300 people.
- Pre-parish Catholics attended St. James Church in Searcy
- Founded in the wake of Greers Ferry Lake's population growth
- Fr. Richard Davis served St. Albert jointly with St. James, 1979-1983
- New church construction began November 2008
- Church dedicated December 19, 2009 by Bishop Anthony Taylor
Parish Identity and Mission
The parish describes itself as a 'family of Catholic believers seeking to know, love, and serve God and others,' with a stated mission to unite God's people in the sacraments, steward His generosity, and evangelize the community. Members are invited to recognize Christ in one another and to share their time, talent, and treasure in service of the parish, the wider community, and the world. Visitors and newcomers are welcomed with practical pathways into parish life — baptism applications, sponsor letters, and registration are all handled through the parish office.
- Mission: unite God's people in the sacraments, steward His generosity, evangelize the community
- Values: welcoming, fellowship, worship, outreach, evangelization, service
- Contact point for registration/sponsorships: office manager Judith
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by a pastor supported by two deacons and a team of lay staff and commission leaders. The diocesan directory and parish website together list the current pastoral team, parish staff, and the contact people for each parish commission.
- Pastor: Fr. Paul F. Worm ([email protected])
- Deacon: Dc. Robert Morris ([email protected])
- Deacon: Dc. Michael Walsh ([email protected])
- Office / Business Manager: Judith Hollowell
- Evangelization & Faith Formation: Bonnie Allen
- Liturgy: Mary Armour
- Music Director: Mike Zurka
Devotions
Devotional life at St. Albert centers on the Rosary, which is prayed 35 minutes before Masses on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The parish also observes the traditional First Saturday Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Rosary: 35 minutes before Mass on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
- First Saturday Mass (Month of the BVM): 9 a.m.
Parish Commissions and Ministries
Parishioners serve through five commissions that cover the breadth of parish life. Each commission has a designated lay or staff contact who can answer questions and onboard new volunteers.
- Liturgy Commission — contact Mary Armour
- Social Ministries — contact Fr. Paul or Jay Dillashaw
- Education / Formation — contact Fr. Paul or Charley Nowack
- Parish Life Commission — contact Fr. Paul or Rose Mary Gill
- Building and Grounds Commission
Faith Formation and Education
The parish describes its education and formation work as nurturing the whole person — fostering spiritual growth, compassion, and critical thinking for learners of all ages. Programs are coordinated by Bonnie Allen and Amanda Lozeau, with the pastor also directly involved.
- Evangelization and Faith Formation
- Education/Formation programs for all ages
- Youth Ministry
Music and Liturgy
Liturgy at St. Albert is described on the parish website as 'a vibrant expression of faith and community,' engaging parishioners in Sacred Scripture, prayer, and song. Mike Zurka serves as Music Director.
- Music Director: Mike Zurka
- Liturgy lead: Mary Armour
Outreach and Social Ministries
The Social Ministries commission brings faith to life through compassionate outreach — supporting neighbors in need, organizing service projects, and fostering connections that uplift spirits. New volunteers are invited to contact Fr. Paul or Jim Marino to get involved.
- Community service projects
- Outreach to those in need
- Volunteer coordination through Fr. Paul and Jim Marino
Sacraments and Parish Registration
Parishioners and visitors can apply for baptism, request a letter of recommendation (for sacraments at another parish, e.g., serving as a Confirmation sponsor or godparent), and register as parishioners by completing the relevant form and emailing it to the office manager/secretary, Judith.
- Baptism application
- Letter of recommendation (sponsor/godparent)
- Parish registration
- Contact: Judith (office manager/secretary)
Parish Life and Community Events
The Parish Life Commission organizes the social fabric of the parish — events that build community and a sense of belonging. The parish has hosted events such as a Bingo Night (May 2024) and other fellowship gatherings announced through the parish communications.
- Parish Life Commission — contact Fr. Paul or Rose Mary Gill
- Community events and fellowship gatherings (e.g., Bingo Night)
Facilities and Grounds
The current church building was constructed starting November 2008 and dedicated December 19, 2009. The campus also includes the Saint Albert's Catholic Church Columbarium, a place of in-ground memorialization on parish grounds.
- Current church building dedicated December 19, 2009
- Saint Albert's Catholic Church Columbarium on grounds
- Building and Grounds Commission maintains the property
Beyond Heber Springs: Sister Mission
In addition to serving Heber Springs, the parish 'also attends' St. Mary Church in Mountain View, extending pastoral care into a neighboring community.
- Joint mission with St. Mary Church, Mountain View
Visiting and Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Inquiries about sacraments, registration, and parish life are handled by Judith, the office/business manager.
- Office Hours: Tues–Fri, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Phone: (501) 362-2914
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 21 Park Road, Heber Springs, AR 72543
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Richard Davis1979-1983
Served St. Albert (Heber Springs) together with St. James (Searcy) as a multi-parish assignment of the Diocese of Little Rock.
- Fr. John Agbakwuo
Received the key to the new church building from Ronald Fair at the December 19, 2009 dedication ceremony.
- Fr. Paul F. Worm
Current pastor; listed on diocesan and parish pages.