More than 10,000 people are expected for the 36th annual SCRC Catholic Renewal Convention held Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Sponsored by Southern California Renewal Communities based in Burbank, the event centered on the theme "Trust in the Lord" will feature over 40 workshops, daily liturgies, and special youth/young adult programs.

A number of prominent local and national Catholic leaders within the renewal are scheduled to speak, including internationally-renowned healing ministry teachers Francis and Judith MacNutt, who will conduct a weekend School of Healing Prayer that has pre-registered over 1,000 Catholic and ecumenical clergy and lay ministers.

Convention manager Barbara Lambert said organizers "had no idea" the three-day School of Healing Prayer offering teachings on the charism of healing would have such ecumenical appeal, drawing Catholics as well as Evangelical, Episcopal, Lutheran and Presbyterian ministers. She credited its popularity to the fact that "people want to be able to minister to one another."

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the birth of the Catholic charismatic renewal, Walter Matthews, executive director for the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the United States, will open the convention Aug. 31 with his morning talk, "Forty years of Renewal: A Journey of Hope in the Wilderness."

Saturday morning keynote speaker, singer/songwriter John Michael Talbot, founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity based at Little Portion Hermitage near Eureka Springs, Ark., will perform some of his inspirational songs during his presentation, "Living Waters: Celebration of the 50th recording." Other musicians at the conference include Christian rock singer Matt Maher and the duo Jacob and Matthew, scheduled to perform for the Friday night teen concert.

Among workshop topics offered by Southern California presenters are "Trusting the Lord That I Can Be Forgiven," by Divine Word Father Michael Manning; "Walking on Water 101," by Carmelite Sister Mother Regina Marie Gorman; "Experiencing the Power of Praise," by Dominic Berardino and Nestor Aclan; and "Be Not Afraid," by Sister Antonia Brenner.

Young adult conference workshops, designed for ages 18-39, include "Holy Sexuality: John Paul II's Theology of the Body," by Michele Fleming and John Labriola; "Mary: The First Charismatic," by Jesuit Father Robert Faricy; and "Young Adults, Where Do We Go From Here?" an open forum with Father Jim Clarke.

A special pictorial-biographical and relic exhibit, "Heroes of the Faith, Missionaries and Martyrs," will be on display for the second year in a row. Among the saints highlighted will be St. Charles Lwanga and companions, St. Maria Goretti, Blessed Mother Teresa, St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Frances Cabrini and The Vietnamese Martyrs.

The popular annual Saturday night Mass and healing service on Sept. 1 will begin with praise and worship at 6:45 p.m. followed by liturgy. Jesuit Father Bill Delaney will preside at the 7:30 p.m. Mass while Francis and Judith MacNutt will conduct the healing service immediately after the liturgy.

For registration information, call SCRC at (818) 771-1361 or visit its website: www.scrc.org.