The keynote speaker at Youth Rally 2018 will be singer, songwriter, and youth minister Jackie Francois Angel from Orange County, California.

High school students from throughout the Diocese of Peoria are invited to take part in Youth Rally 2018, which this year is scheduled for Saturday, March 24 — the vigil of Palm Sunday.

The rally will begin at noon at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria and conclude with participants carrying blessed palms in an outdoor procession to nearby St. Mary’s Cathedral for a closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC.

Past diocesan youth rallies have taken place in the fall. That the first one scheduled for the spring falls just prior to the start of Holy Week is an “extra blessing,” according to Karley Bates, programs coordinator for the Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation.

“I hope the teens get the opportunity to have time in prayer, and they are open to know they are called not to comfort, but for greatness,” said Bates. The theme of this year’s rally is “Spirit Lead Me” and is designed to help the teens discover God’s will for their lives.

SINGER IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

The keynote speaker is Catholic singer, songwriter, and youth minister Jackie Francois Angel from Orange County, California. Married in 2013, she and her husband Bobby have two daughters and a newborn son — named John Fulton to reflect their devotion to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, whose cause for sainthood has been promoted by the Diocese of Peoria.

“I’m sure she’s looking forward to being in the cathedral where he was ordained a priest,” said Bates of Angel, who she described as a “super dynamic” speaker.

Angel’s two keynotes will focus on the vocation of marriage, while breakout talks by priests and religious will explore vocations to priesthood and the consecrated life.

There will also be time for icebreakers and games, the sacrament of reconciliation, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE NEARS

The registration deadline for participants and chaperones is Wednesday, March 7. Late registrations may be accepted, but space is limited and those registering after the deadline will not receive the rally t-shirt. Cost is $30 per person, which includes dinner and the shirt.

Registration is done through parish or school youth groups, with further information found by clicking on the rally banner at cdop.org. Youth in grades 9 through 12 who wish to attend but are not part of a youth group must contact Bates at (309) 671-1550 or kbates@cdop.org and will be assigned to an existing group.

Father Geoff Horton, a member of the chaplain team at Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, will be homilist at the 6:15 p.m. closing Mass. The rally is scheduled to conclude at 8 p.m.