The DAEC, which is sponsored by the Office for Catechesis, is held every other autumn. The last several conferences have been held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield; however scheduling difficulties prompted the move to Decatur, said Jonathon Sullivan, director of Catechetical Ministries.

“We are very pleased with the accommodations at the Decatur Conference Center,” said Sullivan. “They have recently renovated and have a beautiful facility.” He added that the cost for attending DAEC will remain the same as what people paid in 2008.

The theme of this year’s DAEC will be “Entering the Mystery, Renewing the People.” Father Richard Fragomeni will be the keynote speaker, while Father Paul Turner will be the closing speaker. Featured speakers include David Anderson, Santiago Cortes-Sjoberg, Sue Grenough and Jo Ann Paradise. Sunday night will include a performance of Marty Haugen’s Agapé — The Stories and the Feast.

Sullivan asks that people who expect to attend “save the date” for DAEC. Registration brochures will be available from the Office for Catechesis after Aug. 1. If you have questions about DAEC, contact Chris Malmevik, associate director of Catechesis, at (217) 698-8500, ext. 178 or e-mail .