Important Dates

Congress 2012
Mar. 22 (Youth Day) & Mar. 23-25, 2012

2012 Theme
"Voice Infusing Life" /
"Voz que Infunde Vida"

 • What is Congress?

 • Dates

 • Congress Challenge

 • Youth Day

 • Featured Speaker

 • Film Showcase

 • Lunch Entertainment

 • Ticket Offer

 • Hotels

 • So. Cal-ers Only

 • RECongress.org

 • Emailing

Online at archive.recongress.org


Email us at
congress
@la-archdiocese.org

Office of Religious Education - Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Friend us, find us, watch us...

It's hard to believe it's already 2012 ... let alone that Congress is only 79 days away! Be sure you are aware of some important Congress dates. Also, the first 5,000 people to register for Congress are "guaranteed" their first choices. So be sure to register this week; we are quickly approaching our 5,000th registrant! Our RECongress Emailings highlight some of the events going on at Congress 2012 — including added events and a spotlight on some of the speakers and musical artists coming to Congress. Also, a reminder that fees increase February 4, and be sure to check the Web site for hotel properties with special attendee rates and updated speaker information. Be sure to register soon to get the reduced fee. Pass along this emailing or our link — archive.recongress.org — to share with friends and encourage them to sign up for our Congress Emailing for updates. If you do not care to receive future updates, you can find removal information at the bottom of this message. ¡Para información en español, clic aquí!

WHAT IS CONGRESS?
The Religious Education Congress, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education, is the nation's largest annual gathering of Roman Catholics! Our last RECongress, held in March 2011, brought together nearly 40,000 people during the four-day weekend!

See 2011 Congress Statistics

Location
Congress is held at the Anaheim Convention Center, located at 800 West Katella Ave. in Anaheim, Calif. (just across from Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure). See a Yahoo Map

Fees
The registration fee for Congress is $60 per person. Youth Day has a separate registration and fee of $20 per person. Note: Fees increase after February 4th.

Registration
The Registration Guidebook contains all workshop and speaker descriptions, entertainment and liturgy options, and all events during Congress. There are two Registration Forms per book. If you don't have a Guidebook, you may either download it or order a copy to be sent by mail.

Order a Guidebook

ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE
Be a Voice for Congress
RECongress aims to teach more about the Catholic faith as well as to advance personal growth. We invite you to join in this great work and offer others the opportunity to hear God's voice in their own lives by inviting them to RECongress. Sign up to "Accept the Challenge."

On the 'Accept the Challenge' site you can find:
  Take the Challenge - Sign up for the contest
  Voice Infusing Life - Watch the video
  Shout Out! - Post on Facebook and Twitter
  Viva Voices! - An update blog and RSS Feed

"Accept the Challenge" Contest

YOUTH DAY OPPORTUNITIES
For Youth
We invite all high school students attending Youth Day to consider becoming MCs to introduce speakers before workshops. Young people may also become part of the Archdiocesan choir for our liturgy — talented singers and  instrumentalists are invited to come be part of the group that leads the music at Mass.

For Adults
If you are an adult (or you know someone who is) that is NOT chaperoning a group for Youth Day, and would like to volunteer for the day, we have a place for you! Our adult volunteer team helps with crowd control, information sharing and much more during the day. We’re looking for youth-friendly people that can make the day more enjoyable for all.

Adult Volunteers
Youth Day is fast approaching and we need volunteers to help make the day run smoothly for our young people! If you received a letter and postcard to volunteer for Youth Day, please return the postcard to Erin and Jonathan Avila at the address on the postcard. If you are interested in volunteering and did not receive a letter/postcard, please email Erin and Jonathan Avila at YDvolunteer@recongress.org.

Find out more and download forms off our web site.

See the 2012 Youth Day Page

FEATURED SPEAKER: JOHN BURLAND
John Burland is an educator and composer of religious music for children and adults. He is the Project Officer-Liturgy/Music for the Catholic Education Office in Sydney, Australia, where he conducts workshops, celebrations and reflection days. Burland has worked as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and religious education coordinator for over 20 years in school and parish communities. He is a regular speaker at conventions and gatherings across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Friday, March 23, 2012
3:00 - 4:30 pm — Session 3-02
"Music for Celebrating the Mass with Children"(*)
As religious educators, the introduction of the new translation of the Roman Missal has called us to ensure that children and families continue to grow in their knowledge, understanding and celebration of the Mass. In this workshop, John Burland will share a collection of cate­chetical songs for deepening children’s understanding of the Mass and a variety of liturgical music that can be used in Masses with children. Come ready to raise your voice as we celebrate together in song!

Saturday, March 24, 2012
3:00 - 4:30 pm — Session 6-02
"Proclaiming the Word of God with Children Through Song and Celebration"(*)
Music is a rich and formative teaching and learning resource that can be effectively woven into religious education to enhance knowledge, understanding and celebration. Through the use of song and movement, John Burland will share practical and engaging strategies for creatively teaching Scripture, doctrine, sacraments and other catechetical themes. Come ready to raise your voice in song as we journey in faith!

NOTE: Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez has had to cancel his participation at this year's Religious Education Congress to fulfill a personal engagement with Pope Benedict. His session 4-19: "Living the Mission of Jesus in Our World Today" has been cancelled.

See the RECongress 2012 Speakers Page

FILM SHOWCASE 2012

See other Congress Spotlights

FRIDAY LUNCHTIME ENTERTAINMENT
Arena — 11:45 am - 12:30 pm
John Burland, Andrew Chinn &
Michael Mangan
“Celebrating with Voices, Hearts and Hands”
Join these three dynamic and spirited Australians for lunch as they raise their powerful voices in songs of faith and joy. Experience a vibrant inter-generational celebration. Come sing and let the Spirit infuse life.

See the Congress Schedule

SPECIAL CONGRESS OFFER
Congress attendees can pre-order specially priced Disneyland Resort Tickets. Find specials on tickets to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, with special pricing on evening passes and on single- and multi-day passes for both Disneyland Resort parks. Note: These tickets are only available for sale online until March 22. Tickets are valid March 19-April 1, 2012.

See other Congress Updates

HOTELS
Don't forget to make your hotel reservation. RECongress has contracted with local hotels to offer special rates for attendees. We suggest making hotel reservations as soon as possible. Check online for our most current listing of hotels for Congress attendees. When making reservations, be sure to ask for the Religious Education Congress rate. You can find information about contracted hotels on our web site.

RECongress Hotels Page

JUST FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS
We encourage all Southern California Ralphs shoppers to sign up for the free Ralphs rewards Card and register their card with the Community Contributions Program. It’s easy! Every time you shop for groceries and scan your card at Ralphs, RECongress will automatically earn up to 5% of all eligible purchases per enrolled card. Sign up now! It’s never been easier to contribute to the RECongress. Find step-by-step instructions and information on our Congress site.

RECongress Ralphs Program

RECONGRESS.ORG
You can find all the latest Congress information and updates online. We are always adding new speaker and hotel information. Check our site for updates and announcements.

archive.recongress.org

EMAILING
Our Emailings for Congress 2012 run through April 2012. Be sure to Sign-up for our Congress Emailing List for Congress reminders and news. If you missed any, you can find them all online at archive.recongress.org/Emailing. You may opt out from this Emailing at any time from the link below.

© 2012 RECongress.org