PARTICIPANTS at this year’s Diocese of Peoria Institute for Catholic Social Ministry will dig deeper into the biblical roots of the church’s teaching on social justice with the help of Father Donald Senior, CP, president of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

He will be the keynote speaker for the conference, planned for Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. His topic is “The Bible and the Social Mission of the Church.”

The institute program also includes presentations on “The Burning Truth of the Climate Crisis” by Sister Cathleen Real, CHM, and “Servant Leadership: How and Why It Works” by Dan Ebener.

The day, which begins at 9 a.m. and closes at 2:15 p.m., is sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

As a bonus, there will be an informal discussion with Father Senior on Friday, Oct. 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 N.E. Madison Ave. That conversation will be about “Proclaiming the Just Word” and is open to everyone.

“THIS IS an important and unique opportunity to stay in contact and to get connected with Catholic social teaching in a practical way and in a social way as well,” said Father Richard Bresnahan of Moline, co-moderator of social justice for the Diocese of Peoria. Working with him is Msgr. Doug Hennessy, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington.

“I still think it is not clear to a lot of people how biblically rooted Catholic social teaching is,” Father Bresnahan told The Catholic Post. “Over a thousand times Scripture mentions social justice issues — care for the poor, the sick, the widowed.”

THE FEE to attend the Institute for Catholic Social Ministry is $15, which includes lunch. The deadline for registration is Sept. 26.

A registration form is available on the Web site of the Diocese of Peoria at www.cdop.org. Click on “Events” and then “Event Flyers.” The forms and checks, made payable to Catholic Charities, may be sent to: Catholic Charities, Attn: Peggy Berry, 2900 W. Heading Ave., West Peoria, IL 61604.

For more information, contact Father Bresnahan at (309) 762-3168.