When respect life coordinators from parishes around central Illinois gather in Peoria on Saturday, Aug. 24, they will pray together, hear about the U.S. bishops’ Respect Life program, and recommit themselves to promoting life from conception until natural death.

They may also get a peek inside the new Family Resources Center, which is nearing completion at 415 N.E. Monroe St. Ground was broken last July for the facility, which is located across the street from the Spalding Pastoral Center.

Not only will the new building house the thousands of free-loan books, videos and DVDs the Family Resources Center is known for, but the Christ Child Society of Central Illinois as well. In addition, there will be chapel and expanded office and meeting space.

The day will begin with words of encouragement from Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who will celebrate Mass for the respect life coordinators at 9 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 607 N.E. Madison Ave. Joining him at the altar and presenting them for recertification will be Father William T. Miller, IC, who chairs the Diocesan Respect Life Board.

The annual gathering will continue at the nearby Spalding Pastoral Center, where the coordinators will receive the Respect Life program materials published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. This year’s theme is “Open Your Hearts to Life!”

The morning session includes presentations by Craig and Amy Dyke and Joseph Piccione.

The Dykes will talk about “Theology of the Body and Building Up the Culture of Life.” Craig is director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Family Life, while Amy serves as natural family planning coordinator for the Diocese of Peoria.

Married for 15 years, the Dykes have five daughters. They have taught NFP for more than a decade and the Theology of the Body since 2010.
Piccione is senior vice president for mission integration and corporate ethicist at OSF HealthCare in Peoria, and a member of the diocesan Health Care Committee. He also serves as adjunct professor at the St. Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford and adjunct associate professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria.

After a luncheon donated and catered by Michael’s Italian Feast of Washington, the respect life coordinators will reconvene for local updates and planning for Respect Life Month.

While the day is planned for priests and parish coordinators, anyone is welcome to attend. Reservations are required so arrangements can be made for the luncheon and workshop materials.

To register, send your name and address to the Family Resources Center, 321 Main St. Peoria, IL 61602. For more information, call the center at (309) 637-1713 or send an email to famresct@mtco.com..