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Registration is still open for the largest annual gathering
of catechists in the United States.
 "Steeped
in Mercy, Balm for the World" is the theme for the 2004 Religious
Education Congress, taking place Feb. 19-22 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.
The Congress theme --- drawn, as is customary, from that
Sunday's Scripture readings --- "invites us to let the voices
of a world in need echo in our hearts, beckoning us to press
forward as messengers of new life," said Sister of Charity
Edith Prendergast, director of the archdiocesan Office of
Religious Education which has presented the Congress each
year since 1967.
Approximately 185 speakers --- including keynote speakers
include Richard Gaillardetz, Scott Appleby, Victor Escalante
and Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Luong of Orange --- will present
workshops and talks on religious education, family life, social
justice issues, spirituality and parish ministry. Sister Prendergast
will present her Congress-opening keynote talk on Friday morning
as part of the opening rite and welcome.
 A
wide assortment of liturgies and musical events, plus more
than 270 workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, are
also offered. The eucharistic liturgies include Hawaiian,
Hispanic, jazz, black culture/Nigerian, Filipino, Vietnamese,
young adults and contemplative. Bishop Tod Brown of Orange
and Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles will preside at the
closing liturgies on Sunday morning and afternoon, respectively.
Lunchtime and evening musical events will feature the Daughters
of God; Brother Rufino Zaragosa & the Vietnamese Folk Dance
Troupe with La Sallian Youth; Tom Kenzia, Frank and ValLimar
Jansen; Bob Halligan & Ceili Rain; Jon Mattingly & the Newman
Singers; Peter Kolar & the Holy Cross Marimba Ensemble; and
Gary Daigle, Jim Gibson and John Angotti. On Friday, Daigle
and John Flaherty will direct a performance of multicultural
music, dance and art featuring numerous well-known Congress
performers.
Registration is $60. For information, call (213) 637-7346,
or visit www.recongress.org.
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