Bishop Soane Mafi Named Cardinal
This month, on Sunday, January 4, Pope Francis nominated 15 new cardinals. Among them was Msgr. Soane Patita Paini Mafi, bishop of Tonga, who is scheduled to lead our Tongan liturgy at Congress. In fact, Cardinal Mafi is the first Cardinal ever for Tonga and, at the age of 53, is the youngest of the newly named cardinals. The cardinals will be officially installed to their posts on February 14. Pope Francis also announced a meeting with all the cardinals to be held February 12-13 to discuss possible changes to the Roman Curia, the church's main bureaucracy.
See our Congress Updates »

Youth Day T-Shirts
Official Youth Day 2015 T-shirts – with the theme “Talk Jesus with Me” –  are now available for pre-order. Customize your Youth Day shirt with your youth group or parish name on the back for only $2 additional. All orders with payment must be received by February 16, 2015 to get the pre-order discount rate:
T-shirts: $13; V-Neck: $16; Sweatshirts: $25
Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
(2XL - 4XL sizes are $2 extra for T-shirts and $5 extra for hoodies.)
Order online at www.seraph7.com or by email seraph7clothing@gmail.com.
Go to the Youth Day page »

Youth Day Speaker Feature: Fr. Greg Boyle
Both Tracks at Youth Day are set to see the Youth Day Arena speaker and one additional workshop, including this one and 11 others whose sessions are held in the Convention Center meeting rooms.

Fr. Greg Boyle is founder and Executive Director of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation program in the United States. The native Angeleno was ordained a Jesuit priest and transformed by his work in Bolivia, Mexico and Folsom State Prison in California. It was in the Boyle Heights community of Los Angeles that Fr. Boyle started Homeboy Industries. He is author of the New York Times best-selling book, “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.”

Arena Session - "Barking to the Choir – Now Entering the Kinship of God"
Youth Day, Thursday, March 12, 2015
This workshop will explore what “being in the world” means, and where we can find God in the world – in compassion and loving kindness. Fr. Greg Boyle will reflect on the sacredness of life through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, drawn from more than 30 years of work with formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women in Los Angeles.
See the Youth Day Workshops »

RECongress Spotlight: Young Adult Events
Saturday, March 14 - Marriott Hotel
LITURGY, 5:15 pm - Our Saturday liturgy welcomes young adults from around the world at this celebration that highlights the gifts of young adults. Fr. Marc Reeves will be celebrant with The Jacob and Matthew Band providing music.
DANCE, 9-midnight - This annual Congress tradition is a chance to meet new friends and reconnect with old. All young adults 18 to 39 are welcome. ID required for admission. (The cost is $7 per person.)
See other 2015 RECongress Spotlights »

Speaker Feature: Jesse Manibusan
Over the three days, Congress 2015 will offer 309 workshops presented by 202 speakers. Topics range from personal growth to music to spiritual topics – in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Each Emailing we spotlight one of those speakers:

With over 28 years of ministry in the church, Jesse Manibusan is an itinerant witness, songwriter, speaker, joy cultivator, storyteller and evangelizer. Together with his wife, Jodi, they are co-founders of 2by2 Ministries. Manibusan is a keynote speaker, workshop clinician and musician at numerous national and international events. He is a composer and recording artist with spiritandsong.com and has various CDs published by Oregon Catholic Press.

Multicultural Church: Many and One (*)
Session 7-16, Saturday, March 15, 2015 - 10:00 - 11:30 am
Jump into an experience that embraces the variety and diversity in our parishes and in the world. Moving toward oneness and communion in many cultures requires a small portion of courage, humility and, dare we say, faith! This workshop will transform more than your liturgies. Come and see!
See the other Congress Speakers »
 

Speaker Throwback: 2010 Interview
Watch the 2010 LIVE interview with Youth Day and Congress speaker and entertainer Jesse Manibusan by RECongress LIVE host Alex Venegas. You can find other past interviews on our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/RECongress. Did you know you can still find all the recorded sessions from Congress 2010 on our RECongress 2010 Recordings page?

Disney Tickets Offer
Religious Education Congress attendees can purchase specially priced Disneyland resort tickets prior to your arrival. There are discounted rates for Twilight Convention tickets (after 4 pm), 1-day 1-park, multi-day and park hopper tickets. This offer is only available online at www.disneyconventionear.com/ZMRC15A and not available at the Park. Tickets are valid Tuesday, March 10 through Sunday, March 22, 2015. The online ticket store closes 9:00 PM PST on Tuesday, March 10, 2015.
Check online for restrictions and bulk ticket orders.

See the Updates page »

Special Hotel Rates
Don't forget to make your travel arrangements now. We have secured special rates for Congress attendees at a number of hotels with pricing to meet everyone's needs. Make sure when making your reservations you mention the Religious Education Congress so that you receive our special contracted rates.

See the Listing of Hotels »

Just for Southern Californians
Ralphs Grocery Company, a major supermarket chain in the Southern California area, supports schools, churches and other non-profit organizations with annual contributions. The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is a member of Ralphs Community Contributions Program. Simply by using your Ralphs rewards Card a portion of eligible purchases are contributed to the RECongress. This is an annual program that must be renewed each year. The current term just began last month. If you were part of the program last year, we thank you and encourage you to re-enroll again for this year's term.

We encourage all 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.

Organization Name: Archdiocese of Los Angeles - Religious Education
Organization Number: 90658

Find step-by-step instructions and information online and

Read about the Ralphs program »

RECongress.org
You can always find the latest Congress information and updates online. Though our Congress Emailings feature some of our Congress Speakers, Spotlights, Entertainment and Liturgies, you can find the complete listing online at www.RECongress. And check our updates pages updates and announcements.
See the 2015 Updates page »

RECongress Emailing
Be sure to sign-up for this twice-a-month Emailing about the latest Congress updates and information. You may opt out from our Congress Emailing at any time from the "Manage Your Subscription" link below.

See past Emailings »

© 2014  Los Angeles Religious Education Congress   //   Online at  archive.recongress.org