Youth Day Speaker Feature: Judy McDonald
Both Tracks at Youth Day get 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.

Judy McDonald, a professional comedienne for the past 20 years, is in great demand at parishes and conferences across the United States and internationally. She was a residential minister at the University of San Diego and became Youth Minster for the San Diego Diocese. McDonald has been in full-time traveling ministry for over 10 years, including shows for military bases in Germany, Italy, Belgium and parishes in Ireland, Croatia, Scotland and across the United States.
Dealing with Stress
Are you stressed? Does just being asked the question stress you out? We all get stressed from time to time, but how we choose to deal with it can really say something about us. Come to this session if you are OK with laughing and loving God and, oh ya, totally stressed out!
Go to the Youth Day page »

Congress 2015 Welcome
Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC, Director of the Office of Religious Education, extends her welcome to the 2015 Religious Education Congress:
"Once again it is my privilege and joy to extend to you a heartfelt welcome to Congress 2015. Each year you bless us with your presence, your enthusiasm and your ongoing commitment to share the Good News of our rich Catholic story and traditions.

"The theme chosen for Congress 2015 – “See” – inspired by the blind man’s extraordinary encounter with Jesus (John 9:1-41) challenges us to SEE anew, to peer beneath the surface and see more deeply. We are invited to open wide not only our physical eyes, but also the eyes of the heart, the eyes of our memory and perceive God’s presence in all of life, in joy, in pain, in struggle. ..."

Read the Director's complete reflection about this year's Congress theme – and many past themes – online on our Themes page.
See the Welcome letter »

RECongress Spotlight: Sacred Space
Friday through Sunday – Convention 304
Break away from the busyness of the day’s events and enter a space dedicated to facilitating a sense of spiritual rejuvenation. Our Sacred Space will offer Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a labyrinth, art and music. View the Stations of the Cross video from Congress 2014, "A Journey of Hope Along the Migrant Trail: A Via Crucis."

View the 2015 RECongress Spotlights »

Congress Speaker Feature: Clarissa Valbuena Aljentera
Over the three days, Congress 2015 will offer over 300 workshops presented by more than 200 speakers. Topics range from personal growth to music to spiritual topics – in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Each Emailing we spotlight one of those speakers:

National speaker, consultant and writer Clarissa Aljentera is Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation and Media Resources for the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry in the Chicago Archdiocese, where she is also an Adult Confirmation Catechist. Aljentera has presented at local and national events. She published “The Parish Guide to Social Media” in 2013. Originally a newspaper reporter from California, she now performs “improv” and writes rap based on Scripture.

I Am Over Facebook! Exploring Other Social Media Sites to Help Parish Leaders Remain Relevant
Instead of feeling helpless when it comes to navigating social media, learn to harness new energy and potential to evangelize and communicate with others. Move beyond the standard parish website and Facebook page and familiarize yourself with other social media sites. In this workshop, we’ll look at social media strategies to share our faith beyond the pews. Parish leaders can learn tools and tips that can assist them in communication.
 
The Write Way! Using Creative Writing as a Way to Access Prayer and Spirituality
The written word has a powerful effect on an author and his or her readers. The hands of a writer are the instruments God uses to convey humor, compassion and joy. In this workshop, we’ll explore writing as a way to have an intimate conversation with God. Whether writing for an audience or just writing for oneself, learn more about writing as a form of prayer. Clarissa Aljentera will use storytelling, rap and Scripture to convey her message. No writing experience is necessary!
Go to the Speakers page »

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 ends August 31, 2015. If you were part of the program last year, we thank you, but everyone needs 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 »

Angotti in Concert
"Job: The Now Testament," an original musical by Congress performer John Angotti, is coming to the Los Angeles area. Performances will be at Holy Name of Mary Church, San Dimas (Oct. 9); Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Northridge (Oct. 10); St. Monica Church, Santa Monica (Oct. 12); Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove (Oct. 13); and Blessed Junipero Serra Church, Lancaster (Oct. 14).

See the poster »

RECongress.org
You can find all Congress information and updates online. Our upcoming RECongress Emailings will feature some Congress Spotlights and we will be adding speaker and hotel information. Check our site for updates and announcements.
Go to RECongress.org »

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