A KICK-OFF rally has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, to open the Peoria area “40 Days for Life” campaign of prayer, fasting and community outreach to end abortion.

The rally will begin with a 5:15 p.m. picnic at the East Peoria Riverfront Park (behind Wal-Mart), to be followed by prayer, speakers and singing at 6 p.m.

As part of the pro-life campaign that opens the next day, participants are being sought to take shifts in an around-the-clock vigil planned outside the abortion facility at 7505 N. University St. in Peoria.

A similar campaign is planned for the Champaign area, with a 40-day vigil to take place outside Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois, 302 E. Stoughton in Champaign.

BISHOP DANIEL R. Jenky, CSC, this week encouraged Catholics to fast and pray, key elements of the “40 Days for Life” effort which is planned in dozens of U.S. cities.

“In his encyclical, ‘The Gospel of Life,'” wrote Bishop Jenky, “Pope John Paul II stated ‘a great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil.’

“One of the most heinous forces of evil in our world today is abortion,” continued Bishop Jenky. “To bring about the end of abortion and to serve life, I encourage the faithful in central Illinois to fast and pray for the sake of the culture of life.”

The Peoria and Champaign efforts continue through Nov. 1. For more information on the Peoria campaign, call Karen Guth at (309) 453-7493 or Cathy Trowbridge at (815) 876-6952. To volunteer in Champaign, e-mail Ross Johnson at 40days@prolifeillinois.com. More information is also available online at www.40daysforlife.com.