By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

MILFORD - When the Father Jim Willig Memorial Chapel is dedicated today at the Milford Spiritual Center, it won't be just an honor to the late priest.

It will carry on Willig's ministry.

"This definitely is not an event to honor my brother. This is to help the sick and the suffering," said Margie Burke. "My brother was humble, and he didn't want recognition. He always gave it to God."

Willig's battle with renal cell cancer ended in June 2001, but the 50-year-old priest's tenacity and spirit inspired many at his parish, Sts. Peter and Paul in Reading. His book, Lessons from the School of Suffering: A Young Priest with Cancer Teaches Us How to Live, was written to comfort and strengthen people with terminal illnesses.

Willig's family, friends and fellow priests will be among about 1,000 people expected today for the blessing by Bishop Carl Moeddel and a homily by the Rev. Michael Sparough, a Jesuit and good friend of Willig.

"We want this to be a place for people to unite in their suffering, a place where people can find peace," Burke said. "He was such an example to all of us. He taught us how to take our suffering and give it to God. This chapel is just a continuation of that beautiful story."

Friends, family and even strangers began renovating the chapel, formerly a 100-year-old train depot, after Dan Roche, director of the Milford Spiritual Center, talked with Edgar Willig, Father Willig's father, about the idea nine months ago.

"We've always had a dream of doing something with that building, and this is a carrying on of Jim's ministry, this ministry of the school of suffering and how suffering can be such a teacher for us," said Roche.

Roche plans to establish the Willig Chapel Endowment Fund to pay for building maintenance as well as retreats to follow in Willig's teachings.

The chapel will be open to the public - of all faiths - 24 hours a day. Willig's book and tapes of his sermons will also be available there, Burke said.

Services today begin with the praying of the rosary at 1 p.m. at the Milford Spiritual Center, 5361 S. Milford Road.