Organizers of the 37th annual SCRC Catholic Renewal Convention taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 29-31 expect more than 10,000 people to attend the Labor Day weekend conference of workshops, liturgies and concerts.

Sponsored by the Southern California Renewal Communities based in Burbank, the event is centered on the theme, "Be Transformed." Besides more than 40 workshops on a variety of spiritual topics, the convention will include young adult and teen tracks as well as the annual Saturday night healing service featuring internationally-renowned healing ministry teachers Francis and Judith MacNutt and Barbara Shlemon Ryan.

The MacNutts and their ministry team will repeat last year's School of Healing Prayer during the weekend, adding an advanced level due to popular demand. "Last year's School of Healing Prayer was so well-received. We filled the 1,500-seat room to capacity," said Sandy Berardino, SCRC staff member.

Bishop Sam Jacobs from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, will preside at the opening liturgy on Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and speak on "Charismatic Renewal at the Heart of the Church" in the arena Aug. 30. Saturday morning's keynote speaker, Charles Whitehead, former president of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services from Buckinghamshire, England, will talk on the theme topic, "Be Transformed - God Is At Work In You."

"Charles Whitehead is the most prominent layman worldwide in the international Catholic charismatic renewal. He'll bring a lot of new insights in his talks," said Dominic Berardino, SCRC president.

He also noted the highly-anticipated return of workshop speaker, Deacon Alex Jones, a permanent deacon from the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan, and former Pentecostal minister who, along with his entire congregation, converted to Catholicism some years ago. Deacon Jones' workshop topics include "What to Do When Loved Ones Leave the Church" (Aug. 30) and "Finding God in the Wilderness: Making Sense of Our Sufferings" (Aug. 31).

Among local Catholic workshop speakers are Claretian Father John Hampsch; Claire Frazier-Yzaguirre, MFT; Mother Regina Marie Gorman, OCD; Divine Word Father Michael Manning; and Redemptorist Father Bill Adams.

"The SCRC convention has a variety of topics for people in various stages of their spiritual journey. Participants can explore the spiritual depths of their faith and many people continue to have life-changing experiences," said Dominic Berardino, who added that SCRC attendees come from almost every continent.

Evening events include a Friday night concert with Catholic recording artists, Matt Maher and Jacob & Matthew; the Saturday night liturgy with Father Patrick Crowley, SSCC, presider, and healing service in the arena; and a Saturday night social for young adults. Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis will preside at the Sunday afternoon closing liturgy beginning at 2:30 p.m.

SCRC convention registration forms are available online at www.scrc.org. On-site registration will be held Friday and Saturday mornings. For further information, call the SCRC office, (818) 771-1361.