Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, gives the homily at the 2016 Respect Life Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. The public is invited to this year's Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, at the cathedral. (The Catholic Post file photo/Jennifer Willems)

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will celebrate a Mass for Respect Life at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The public is invited.

Among those attending the Mass will be parish respect life representatives from around the Diocese of Peoria. Following the Mass, that group will gather at the Family Resources Center to study materials for the coming year made available by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Mass also draws students representing Catholic schools from around the Diocese of Peoria. Among the expected concelebrants is Father William Miller, who chairs the Diocesan Respect Life Board. Helping to coordinate the Mass and subsequent activities at the Family Resources Center is Cecilia Soñé, newly appointed diocesan director of Respect Life.

The Mass and study day take place in advance of a flurry of pro-life activity in the diocese as October, known as Respect Life Month, nears. Among the activities are the openings of 40 Days for Life campaigns set to begin Sept. 27 at abortion facilities in Champaign, Ottawa, and Peoria; Life Chains in various communities on Sunday, Oct. 1; and the Respect Life Dinner in Peoria, also on Oct. 1.