Spring's promise of new life and vitality will be reflected in the 2010 Religious Education Congress March 18-21, as the annual catechetical event takes an integrative, "green" approach to its workshops on spirituality, health and the environment.

Centered on the theme of God's "Incredible Abundance," next year's RE Congress at the Anaheim Convention Center is expected to draw more than 40,000 participants to its slate of 315 workshops, daily liturgies, concerts and art exhibits. The Los Angeles RE Congress is the largest event of its kind in the United States, opening with Youth Day attended by more than 15,000 high school students and their chaperones.

"Even though this is a time of scarcity in relation to markets and money, hopefully Congress will take us a step deeper," said Religious Sister of Charity Edith Prendergast, director of the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education. "Real happiness," she noted, "comes from that abundance of God which often comes to us in very ordinary ways [such as] a smile.

"The call of Congress," she continued, "is to get in touch with the richness inside of ourselves and maybe the richness inside of somebody else…. The rituals of prayer as well as fun [activities] are all about abundance if we only open up our eyes to recognize God's blessings coming to us in both simple and profound ways."

According to Paulette Smith, event coordinator, Congress organizers took a holistic approach in next year's selection of workshop topics and exhibits in order to help integrate people with their spirituality, their physical health and their connection to the earth.

A special interactive exhibit in the Grand Arena Lobby --- the result of the Office of Religious Education's collaboration with the archdiocesan Office of Justice and Peace, Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change --- will spotlight God's Creation with images of people and places around the world affected by climate change.

"It's not just about the earth and creation, but it's also how care for the earth is also about caring for those in developing countries" who face the harshest impacts of global climate change, noted Smith. Participants will have an opportunity while at Congress to join the Catholic Climate Covenant and take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor.

Opportunities to refresh both body and spirit will abound at Congress, including daily movement exercises with first-time workshop presenter, Susan Searle, and the return of Sacred Space's spiritual respite area on the Convention Center's third level offering Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a labyrinth, art and music.

Keynote speakers include Mitch Albom, the bestselling author of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," delivering Saturday morning's address in the arena at 8:30, and author/lecturer Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Barbara Fiand, presenting Sunday morning's English keynote talk, "Harnessing for God the Energies of Love." The March 21 Spanish morning keynote talk will be presented by Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chávez of San Salvador.

A sampling of new workshop speakers and their topics includes: Trappist Father Michael Casey, "Lectio Divina: Ancient and Modern"; Rabbi Michael Mayersohn, "The Judaism Jesus Believed and Practiced"; Paula Huston, "Praying Like a Monk: A Contemplative Path Through the Chaos; Lisa Hendey, "E Abundance: Faith Formation for the Facebook Generation"; Paulist Father Frank Desiderio, "Letting Go of a Grudge"; and Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer, "An Astrophysical Response to Atheism."

Among popular returning speakers are poet David Whyte, presenting a Friday Evening Poetry reading in room 207; Jim Wallis, speaking Saturday afternoon on "When the Market Became God"; Oblate Father Ronald Rolheiser, talking Friday morning on "The Abundance of God and Philanthropy of the Heart"; Dr. Robert Wicks, speaking Saturday morning on "Enhancing Spiritual and Psychological Resilience"; and liturgical musician Donna Peña, who is composing the 2010 Congress theme song (she previously has authored 1992's "On Holy Ground" and 1993's "Compassion Poured Out").

Concerts throughout the weekend will include performances by Good Ground, a gospel group from New Orleans; The Jacob & Matthew Band; Jesse Manibusan & Santiago Fernández; John Angotti with special guests; Peter Kolar & The Holy Cross Marimba Ensemble with Rafael Moreno; ValLimar & Frank Jansen; Vietnamese Folk Dance Troupe/Lasallian Youth with Bro. Fortunat Phong; Dona Peña/Mariachi; Monica's Joy with Chris de Silva and Gary Daigle; and Dr. Iven, among others.

The March 21 concelebrated closing liturgy, with Cardinal Roger Mahony presiding, will feature the 200-plus voice Congress Choir under the direction of John Flaherty.

Congress' registration fee of $60 (due by Feb. 5 deadline; $70 after Feb. 5) covers admission to all events, workshops (tickets required), concerts, liturgies and exhibits (name badges required) throughout the three days. For more information, visit www.RECongress.org.