Irish roots were firmly planted in Arkansas when the Diocese of Little Rock was established in 1843. The first bishop, Sisters of Mercy and hundreds of parishioners hailed from Ireland and established many of the first parishes, schools and hospitals in the state. A region initially described as a “suburb of hell” was slowly transformed into a missionary field that now has more than 156,000 lay Catholics, 134 priests, 102 permanent deacons and 170 religious serving 128 parishes.
https://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/5854/Thriving-vineyard-Diocese-celebrates-175-years
https://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/5854/Thriving-vineyard-Diocese-celebrates-175-years
