Dr. Bryan Thatcher, founder and director of the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy, will present a Lenten day of reflection on Thursday, March 21, at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. The theme will be “Mercy Is a Way of Love: God’s Message of Divine Mercy.”

It is being sponsored by the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy Cenacle of Peoria, directed by Father John Verrier, pastor of St. Joseph in Brimfield and St. James in Williamsfield.

A Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in the Spalding Renewal Center, which is connected to the Spalding Pastoral Center, 419 N.E. Madison Ave. Registration and a continental breakfast will begin at 9 a.m.

In addition to Dr. Thatcher’s presentations, the day includes an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and lunch. It will end by 3:45 p.m.

Trained as a medical doctor, Dr. Thatcher left 26 years ago to focus on people’s spiritual suffering as an apostle of Divine Mercy. The Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy were recognized as an official lay apostolate of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in 1998, and now include more than 3,500 cenacles in the United States.

Registration before March 1 is $20, which includes meals. After that date the fee goes up to $25. Priests and members of religious communities will be given a reduced rate of $10.

Registration closes March 14, although organizers are encouraging people to sign up early as this event is expected to sell out. For more information, call Arlene Heinz at (309) 868-9061.

To register, send a check made payable to “Divine Mercy Cenacle of Peoria” to Janice Lukich, 20806 N. Sequoia, Chillicothe, IL 61523. Be sure to include the names of all who will attend, as well as a street address, email address and phone number. Prayer intentions are also welcome.