Institute on Religious Life

3051 N. Christiana Ave.

Chicago, IL 60618

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Wick

Feb. 14, 2005 Director of Operations

700 words 773-267-1195

Top Cardinals, Youth Program To Be Featured at
Institute on Religious Life Conference April 1 – 3

Chicago, IL – Top cardinals, free programming for youth, and the premiere of a new video are all part of the National Meeting of the Institute on Religious Life (IRL) to be held April 1 – 3 in Mundelein, IL.

The popular conference, attended by hundreds of religious/consecrated and lay persons each year at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, will feature the IRL’s new video, Completely Christ’s: The Radical Call of the Consecrated Life.

“This year’s meeting will be a great source of inspiration concerning religious life and consecrated life in the Church,” noted Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem., IRL Executive Director. “And the new video on vocations has real substance — we know it will challenge young Catholics to give all to Jesus Christ.”

The principal celebrant and homilist for Friday’s opening Mass will be IRL President Most Rev. Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford, IL. The keynote address that evening will be given by His Eminence Justin F. Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia. The principal celebrant and homilist for Holy Mass on Saturday will be His Eminence Francis E. Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago. On Sunday, Most Rev. Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop of St. Louis, will give the closing talk, and he will be the principal celebrant and homilist for Holy Mass that day.

Other speakers include Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P., well-known teacher, retreat master and EWTN speaker, who will speak on “The Virtuous Life: The Godly Life.” Rick Sarkisian, Ph.D., writer, producer, and career counselor, whose LifeWork Press produced the new IRL vocations video, will address the topic, “Forming a Culture of Vocations.”

Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, R.S.M., Superior General of the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Alma, MI, will give the banquet address Saturday evening. Sr. Vincent Marie Finnegan, O.C.D., will receive the Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award as a representative of the founding members of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR).

On Friday, Apr. 1, before the meeting begins, a special session for religious and consecrated will be held at the Marytown Conference Center. Msgr. Charles Mangan, member of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will speak on “Living the Eucharistic Mysteries,” and “Mary, Woman of the Eucharist.”

The meeting gathers priests, bishops, religious and laity annually from around the country and beyond to celebrate the gift of consecrated life and to deepen their commitment to the faith. The theme of the 2005 meeting will be “Consecrated Life: A Vocation to Faith and Fidelity.” It will draw attention to the importance of being faithful to Catholic truths in these times of confusion, and to become more inspired to plant the seed of vocations in others.

Businesses, religious and individuals are encouraged to assist the IRL with this meeting by taking out an ad in the banquet program booklet. Those who take ads will also have the unique opportunity to convey good wishes to Sr. Vincent Marie and the CMSWR and to celebrate the effect they have had on so many communities in this country.

On Saturday a special break-out session will be held strictly for young people, ages 13 – 30, which will be free, including lunch, for those who are pre-registered. The session will include the premiere of the IRL’s new vocations video.

Religious communities are invited to set up display tables at the meeting, and various book vendors and other Catholic organizations will be on hand to sell books, tapes and offer information. 

“Each year our National Meeting is a tremendous encouragement to both religious and laity,” Fr. Thomas said. “The networking and outreach to potential vocations hold real promise for the future of the Church.”

The registration deadline for the meeting is March 18. Please contact Michael Wick, IRL Director of Operations, for additional information about placing an ad or registration at (773) 267-1195, or visit www.religiouslife.com.

Founded in 1974 by the late Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., the IRL is a national organization of bishops, priests, religious and lay people dedicated to promoting and supporting the consecrated life, particularly vowed religious life, as a gift to the Church and an evangelical witness to the world.

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Copy of this press release at: www.religiouslife.com/pr_02-14-05.phtml.