Father Burghardt will lead morning and evening sessions around the themes of justice and jubilee. The first session will include short lectures and time to reflect, pray, discuss and ask questions. The evening event will be a lecture, and a question-and-answer period. Times for the sessions are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event is geared to appeal to a large cross-section of Catholics, organizers said. Social justice ministers, catechists, parents, priests, deacons, lectors, leaders of prayer, liturgical ministers, pastoral staff members and others are encouraged to attend.

The event is being sponsored by the Diocesan Center for Pastoral Life and Ministry, the Diocesan Peace and Justice Office and the Diocesan School Office. Father Burghardt, 85, who holds a doctorate in theology, taught historical theology for 32 years at Woodstock College and The Catholic University of America. A senior fellow of the Woodstock Theological Center in the Washington, D.C., he has published 19 books and 260 articles in more than 70 journals.

Father Burghardt has honorary degrees from 22 colleges and universities. In 1996 a Baylor University survey included him as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. He is the creator of a project titled "Preaching the Just Word," an effort to improve the preaching of justice issues.

The Guilfoil Memorial Day of Justice is held in memory of Benedictine Sister Mary Alice Guilfoil, former director of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Office.

The event is free, but participants are being asked to register for one or both sessions by calling (816) 756-1858, ext. 408, or online at www.cplm.org/ind.htm.