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August 17, 2015

RECongress 2016 (#2)

Congress Speakers added

Our planning for the 2016 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is fully underway. We are constantly adding speaker photos and workshop updates, and you can find our latest listing online on our Speakers page. And consider staying at Congress this year! Soon we will have Hotel updates with special rates for Congress attendees.

Pass along this emailing or our link — archive.recongress.org — to share with friends, and encourage them to sign up for the Emailings to receive the latest information about RECongress 2016. 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 »

Congress 2015 Theme: "Boundless Mercy"

Fr. Chris Byzouros, the new Director for the Office of Religious Education, offers his reflection on this year's theme:
"Our theme for the Religious Education Congress 2016 — "Boundless Mercy" — takes its inspiration from the Gospel story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well and from the Jubilee Year of Mercy convoked by Pope Francis.

In his letter Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis writes, “Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive." We see this mercy and love in Jesus as he speaks to the Samaritan woman and promises to give her “living water.” I invite you all to join us at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim..."

Read the Director's complete reflection about this year's Congress theme — and past themes — online on our Themes page.
See the RECongress Themes »

RECongress 2015 Slideshow

See the just-released video of highlights from last year's Religious Education Congress set to the 2015 Theme Song, "See Through the Eyes of Love" by John Angotti, Meredith Augustin, James T. Brown and Gary Daigle. You can find all our videos about Congress on our RECongress Channel on YouTube.

Congress Speaker Feature: John Burland

Over the three days, Congress 2016 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 our speakers:

John Burland is an educator and composer of religious music for children and adults. He is the Education Officer-Liturgy/Music for the Catholic Education Office in Sydney, Australia, and a workshop presenter, composer and touring musician for Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division. Burland has worked as a teacher and religious education coordinator for over 20 years in school and parish communities. He is a regular speaker at conferences and gatherings across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and North America.

Let’s Pray! Let’s Sing! An Engaging Way to Teach Catholic Prayer to Children
The journey in faith for children encompasses many Catholic prayers that children come to know and use on a regular basis. As religious educators we are tasked with teaching these prayers to our children and students – and sometimes the families we serve! Incorporating song into faith formation to teach and join in traditional prayer has a positive impact on learning and makes the role of the catechist, teacher and parent much easier. Join John Burland as he shares the treasure of Catholic prayer through easy-to-use, engaging and prayerful music resources for children and families.

Songs of Mercy and Celebration: Echoing the Message of Jubilee
In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we have been called to be “merciful like the Father” and share the Good News that God loves us. Through the gift of song, John Burland will share a variety of engaging songs that celebrate and affirm God’s mercy and love in our world. These songs are suitable for children at the elementary level and incorporate gesture, traditional prayer and communal song. Come join us as we echo in song the message of Pope Francis in this Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Go to the Speakers Page »