Upcoming major events of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles include the Religious Education Congress and the Black History Month Liturgy.

Feb. 19-22: Religious Education Congress
"Steeped in Mercy, Balm for the World" is the theme for the largest annual gathering of catechists in the United States, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The four-day event begins with Youth Day for high school students Feb. 19, followed by the adult portion Friday-Sunday. Keynote speakers include Richard Gaillardetz, Scott Appleby, Victor Escalante and Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Luong of Orange. A wide assortment of liturgies and musical events, plus more than 200 workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, are also offered.

Registration is $60. For information, call (213) 637-7346, or visit www.recongress.org.

Feb. 28: Black History Month Liturgy
African American Catholics will gather for the second annual liturgical celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 5:30 p.m. Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry of Chicago will serve as the homilist.

The theme is "The Lord hears the cry of the poor," said Jocelyn Lyons, director of the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization.

Despite fewer equal employment opportunities, greater economic hardships and ongoing experiences of racism in society, God persists in caring about and loving the African American community, said Lyons.

"We know that God hears us, and the hope is that God will help us to get through these hard times," said Lyons. "God is with us even in our greatest poverty."

She added that with God's grace African American Catholics have served others and have helped to build and sustain the faith community.

"This liturgy at the Cathedral is another opportunity to express and to celebrate our gifts as an African American community within the Catholic Church and beyond," said Lyons.