Photo Caption: The annual Walk for Life through downtown Peoria on Tuesday is one of several activites throughout the diocese planned during Education for Life Week.

EDUCATION for Life Week has begun.

Sponsored by the Respect Life Board of the Diocese of Peoria, the week’s activities are designed to inform people about what is being done to foster a culture of life in central Illinois and what they can do to help.

The week, which opens on Saturday, Jan. 16, will conclude on Friday, Jan. 22, the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decisions that legalized abortion in the United States.

“Taking our cue from the great champions for the ‘culture of life,’ Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, let us make truth and love the hallmarks of this year’s pro-life work,” said Father William Miller, IC, chairman of the diocese’s Respect Life Board.

THE FAMILY Resources Center, an agency of the Respect Life Board, will host an open house each day from Jan. 18 to 22 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and on Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the center will be open until 5 p.m.

In addition, the Family Resources Center will serve as the gathering point for the Walk for Life on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Those who will be walking to Sacred Heart Church for the Sanctity of Human Life Rally (see related story) may visit the center at 321 Main St. from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to view the wide range of audiovisual and print materials, which are available on a free-loan basis.

Free “baby feet” lollipops and literature will be given to all visitors, according to Jan Smith, director.

Information about other pro-life events that are scheduled throughout the diocese in the coming days follows.

Msgr. Powell to speak
at Bloomington service

The annual memorial service for the unborn victims of abortion sponsored by the McLean County Right to Life Committee will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, on the west steps of the old McLean County Courthouse at the corner of Center and Jefferson streets in Bloomington. Msgr. Eric Powell, pastor of Epiphany Church in Normal, will be the speaker for the 12:15 p.m. program.

Candlelight vigil slated
at Women’s Choice Center

A program and prayer service for people of all faiths is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22, at the Women’s Choice Center, 2711 Happy Joe Drive, in Bettendorf, Iowa. The program will begin at 7 p.m. at Heritage Church, which is located behind the center, and will be followed by a candlelight prayer service outside the Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa Clinic. Refreshments will be available back at the Women’s Choice Center afterward.
Those who would like to start the evening with the rosary may meet at the Women’s Choice Center at 6:30 p.m.

Pro-life breakfast
marks 30 years

The 30th annual Sir Knight Larry Quane Memorial Pro-Life Breakfast will be held on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Farrell Hall at St. Pius X Church, 2901 24th St. in Rock Island. The cost of the breakfast, which is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Allouez Council No. 658, is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger, with a family maximum of $18 for two adults and children 16 and younger.
The menu includes juice, pancakes and sausage, applesauce and a beverage. Tickets will be available at the door.
Proceeds will support pro-life activities in the Quad City area.

Galesburg service
planned for Jan. 31

Melanie Kochersperger will talk about how adoption was a blessing for her and her husband and their son, who was adopted from Poland, at an interdenominational prayer service planned for Sunday, Jan. 31, by Knox County Right to Life. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1501 Webster St., in Galesburg.
A free will offering will be accepted for the local women’s pregnancy center.
Refreshments will be served after the service.