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. |