St. Albert Catholic Church

St. Albert Catholic Church 

History 

Before Greers Ferry Lake was created most Catholics in the area traveled to Searcy or Fairfield Bay for Mass.  With the lake here, there was a need for a Sunday Mass as more Catholics moved into this area.

In 1965, we celebrated Mass every Sunday at the Heber Springs City Hall. In 1967, the Presbyterian pastor offered their church for a place for the Catholics to conduct Mass. Bishop Albert Fletcher then assigned priests to celebrate Sunday and Holy Day Masses during the year.

Donations of land and money enabled us to begin building our own church in Dec. 1968. Our first Mass was offered on June 2nd, 1969. Our parish center was added in 1981 and expanded to its current size in 1993.

Expansion and renovation plans were begun in 2005. With our growing parish family we are working towards a new church building.  We are a mission church so our Pastors have resided in the neighboring towns  of Fairfield Bay and Searcy.  Currently our Pastor resides at Searcy.

Ground was broken in Nov. 2008.  The church dedication was held by Bishop Anthony Taylor on  Dec. 19, 2009. 

Mission Statement

Saint Albert's parish is a family of Catholic believers seeking to know, love, and serve God and others. We recognize Christ in one another and so use our gifts of time, talent, and treasure to serve the community and world. We are dedicated to creating an environment of welcoming and fellowship through worship, outreach, evangelization, and service.

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            What makes a Saint:

Why were the saints, saints?

Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful; patient when it was difficult to be patient; and because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still; and kept silent when they wanted to talk; and were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable. That was all!

It is quite simple and always will be.

(Borrowed from Minute Masterpieces)  

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Heavenly Father, teach us to trust you always, even when we face great challenges.  We overcome challenges not by our own power but only by your spirit.  In Jesus' name.  Amen              

Parishioner Prayer List 

Please say a prayer for recently deceased: Norma Birdsong.  Also please pray for those listed in our prayer book and in our bulletin at St. Albert's parish.

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Our Pastors 

Fr. Edward E. Simpson                  1962-1969

Fr. Ruiben Groff                               1969-1979   

Fr.Richard P. Davis                         1979-1983 

Fr. John E. Barnes                           1983-1993   

Fr.  Frances D. Colavechio             1993-1995 

Fr. Robert T. Dienert                         1995-2001 

Fr. James Fanrak                              2001-2002

Fr.Udo Vincent Ogbuji                      2002-2007

Fr. John O. Agbakwuo                    2007- 2011

Fr. Mathew Malapati                        2011-  

Coming Home

This is an evangelization program using the Internet and television to bring Catholics back to the Church. This is a full-time national apostolate.  The program now features a new advertising campaign and an interactive Web site: www.CatholicsComeHome.org.

St. Albert Mailing Address:

PO Box 1198 

Heber Springs, AR 72543