Women across central Illinois are invited to spend some time getting to know the Lord and their “diocesan family” better at a day of recollection sponsored by the Bishop’s Commission on Women in the Church and in Society on Saturday, March 20.

It will begin at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria with eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation at 9 a.m., a rosary at 10 a.m. followed by Benediction, and a Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, at 10:30 a.m. The remainder of the day’s events, which includes a buffet luncheon, will take place at the nearby Spalding Pastoral Center.

This year’s speakers will be Helen Hull Hitchcock, founder and director of the St. Louis-based Women for Faith and Family, and Msgr. Stanley Deptula, director of the diocesan Office for Divine Worship and executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation.

The theme of Hitchcock’s talk is “You, Me and Christ ? We Are One in the Liturgy: Women’s Unique Responsibility for Living the Catholic Faith,” while Msgr. Deptula will give an update on the sainthood cause for Archbishop Sheen, a native of El Paso who went on to evangelize people around the world through his popular radio and television ministry and his work as director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

SPEAKER ‘INSPIRATIONAL’
In addition to her work with Women for Faith and Family, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009, Hitchcock edits the organization’s quarterly journal, Voices. She is also the editor of the Adoremus Bulletin, a monthly publication of Adoremus ? Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy, which she co-founded.

Hitchcock has published articles and essays in a wide range of Catholic journals and has lectured in the United States and abroad. Married to James Hitchcock, professor of history at St. Louis University, she has four daughters and five grandchildren.

Agnes Christman of Danville, immediate past president of the Bishop’s Commission on Women in the Church and in Society, said people may be familiar with Hitchcock from her appearances on Eternal Word Television Network programs or Catholic radio. In fact, Hitchcock was invited to talk about the new Roman Missal on Father Mitch Pacwa’s show, “EWTN Live,” last Wednesday, Feb. 3.

‘A LITTLE PILGRIMAGE’
Julie Enzenberger of Hennepin, the new president of the bishop’s commission, said days like this are necessary for a variety of reasons.

“In our busy life, sometimes even with going to Mass, we forget to take out extra time for God,” she explained. “This is almost like a little pilgrimage. It will give people a chance to spend the whole day with the Lord.”

In addition to hearing more about the sainthood cause for Archbishop Sheen, those who attend will be able to buy books and receive holy cards and more information, she told The Post.

The cost for the Women’s Day of Recollection is $20 for registrations received by March. 1, and then $22 until March 15. Checks made payable to “Commission on Women” may be mailed to Mary Dyas, 27195 State Route 1, Danville, IL 61834.

Registrations cannot be taken over the phone, but more information is available at (217) 443-0938.