Changes Ahead for Religious Ed Office
Following nearly three decades of service, Sr. Edith Prendergast, FSC, will be retiring as director of the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, effective June 30, 2015. Sr. Edith describes her 27-year tenure as “a very energizing experience." "It’s all been very, very positive for me. What helped sustain me along the way is certainly my passion for this ministry, my vision, my excitement about it, and the relationships that I have created along the way, which are central to building community,” she said.

She will be succeeded by Fr. Christopher Bazyouros, it was announced January 15. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez appointed Fr. Bazyouros as the new director beginning July 1. Fr. Bazyouros has served as associate pastor at several different churches in the archdiocese, most recently as Pastor of St. Albert the Great Church in Compton, Calif., before coming to the ORE to help in his current ministry as the Adult Faith Consultant.

Read The Tidings story »

Extraordinary Ministers at Congress
Are you a trained Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? We invite you to sign up to be a floor Minister of the Cup for any one, two, three, or all the Arena liturgies at Religious Education Congress. Floor Ministers are Ministers of the Cup on the "floor" of the Arena. (There is separate training during the Religious Education Congress on Friday at noon for any Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the upper levels of the Arena.)

You must attend one of seven mandatory trainings to serve as a FLOOR Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. See the Volunteer page for more information, training locations, and the link to sign up.
See the Volunteer page »

Congress Speaker Richard Rohr on Oprah
Though Fr. Richard Rohr won't be appearing at Congress this year, he is scheduled as a guest on Super Bowl Sunday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," airing February 8, 2015. The show is expected to feature some of Rohr’s 14 books as well as discussion of his ministry in audio, video, retreats, conferences and personal appearances.
Fr. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province, founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, N.M., where he currently lives. Fr. Rohr was with us last at Congress 2013. His new book with Franciscan Media, "Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi," reveals how revolutionary St. Francis was in his own time and how he is still changing lives today.
See Other Congress Updates »

Youth Day T-Shirts
February 16 is the last day you can pre-order your Youth Day 2015 T-shirts – with the theme “Talk Jesus with Me.” Customize your Youth Day shirt with your youth group or parish name on the back for only $2 additional. Pre-order discount rate:
T-shirts: $13; V-Neck: $16; Sweatshirts: $25: $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: Bob Perron
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.

Bob Perron has been sharing his style of standup and storytelling for over a decade. He has presented at major national youth ministry conferences in over 60 dioceses across the United States and Canada. Perron is Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.V., and previously served as Executive Director at the St. Thomas More Center in the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa. He is author of “Lessons Learned From a God-Sized Family: In a Me-Sized World.”

Session X - "Snapchat Relationships"
Youth Day, Thursday, March 12, 2015
Have intimacy issues? Do relationships last as long as a Snapchat picture? Do we understand what it means to be intimate? This workshop will look at healthy intimacy in all our relationships – with others and especially with Christ.
See the Youth Day Workshops »

RECongress Spotlight: Speaker Book Signings
Friday through Sunday – Convention Hall A
Authors and performing artists appearing at Congress have scheduled times to sign their books and CDs at the Signing Area. The tables are located in the southeast corner of Hall A. Check the posted schedule for new speakers and updates to appearance times.
See the 2015 Speaker Signing Schedule
See other 2015 RECongress Spotlights »

Speaker Feature: Fr. James Martin
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:

Fr. James Martin is a Jesuit priest and Editor at Large of America magazine. He is author of several award-winning books, including “Jesus: A Pilgrimage,” “Together on Retreat,” “Between Heaven and Mirth,” “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” and “My Life with the Saints.” The popular speaker has given retreats and presented to parish groups and national conferences, and for the past several years has been a frequent speaker at the Religious Education Congress.

Who is Jesus? (*)
Session 2-20, Friday, March 13, 2015 - 10:00 - 11:30 am
The person at the center of our lives, Jesus, can sometimes seem so distant. But by entering more deeply into the Gospel narratives, we can come to know him more deeply. Fr. James Martin will help you look at both the historical Jesus (the man who walked the dusty earth of first-century Palestine) and encounter the “Christ of faith” (the one who performed miracles, rose from the dead and now lives with us through the Holy Spirit). Come and meet Jesus anew!

Gospel Laughter (*)
Session 6-14, Saturday, March 14, 2015 - 10:00 - 11:30 am
Too often the Gospel message is reduced to a bland series of dos and don’ts. Join Fr. James Martin in looking at not only the places where Jesus shows us his own joy, but also how the saints and the great spiritual masters used joy, humor and laughter in their quest to holiness. All this and some great jokes, too!
See the other Congress Speakers »
 

Speaker Throwback: 2011 Workshop
Watch Fr. James Martin's March 19, 2011 Arena workshop, Session #6-15, "Finding God in Your Daily Life." You can watch other past Arena workshops for free on our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/RECongress. And you can still find his other 2011 workshop, Session #8-12, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph." Did you know you can still find all the recorded sessions from Congress 2011 on our RECongress 2011 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

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.
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RECongress Emailing

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