CHICAGO (February 3, 2005) – Therese film star Lindsay Younce will be the keynote speaker at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Chastity Education Initiative Benefit Dinner at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2005 at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, and Auxiliary Bishops Francis Kane and Thomas Paprocki will be guest at the dinner.

Proceeds from the event -- entitled “Educating Minds, Inspiring Hearts” -- will support programs sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Respect Life Office that empower teens and college students to abstain from premarital sexual activity, alcohol and other drugs, violence, and all risky behaviors.

Younce, the 22 year-old professional actress who portrayed the title role of Catholic saint St. Therese of Lisieux in the recently-released feature film Therese, will discuss the importance of chastity in her own life and in her conversion to Catholicism. Clips of the Therese film will be shown as part of the evening’s program

The archdiocesan Chastity Education Initiative has involved more than 20,000 teens, young adults, parents and educators since its launch in August, 2003. In the Fall of 2004, a “College Outreach” program was added to the services offered by the Respect Life Office for young adults, and it provides resources and speakers to Catholic colleges and Catholic ministry centers at secular colleges and universities located throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet.