Registration Guidebook is online
The Guidebook is your key to registration and contains all workshop and speaker descriptions, entertainment and liturgy options, and all events during Congress. Review the Guidebook to plan your registration.

The Guidebook is available in four formats:
PDF: The Registration Guidebook is viewable as a PDF document that requires the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
iPaper: The Guidebook is available in iPaper format, which requires no software download and is a Web-based version of the book.
Web: View every workshop period (English and Spanish) as a separate web page.
Paper: Still prefer the paper version of the Guidebook? You can still have one mailed out to you (order one at right).
See the Guidebook online »

Youth Day Feature: Mike Patin
Both Youth Day tracks get to see the Youth Day Arena keynote and two chosen workshops, including this one and others whose sessions are held in the Convention Center meeting rooms.

Session H - "Messy, Madness, Mayhem: Families!"
February 25, 2016 - HALL B
We all have families. There’s stuff we like and stuff that drives us crazy! They come in all varieties. Sometimes we compare and wish for different. Where’s the hope? Where’s God in our family?

“Faith Horticulturist” Mike Patin lives in Lafayette, La., and has worked in ministry since 1984 as a high school teacher, coach and diocesan youth minister for the New Orleans Archdiocese. He has spoken to groups ranging from 10 to 23,000 in over 130 dioceses in the United States and Canada on the issues of Catholic faith, positive attitude, using your gifts and living life fully. Patin has published two books: “A Standing Invitation” and “This Was Not in the Brochures: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry.”

See the Youth Day page »

Official Youth Day T-Shirts

Attention Group Leaders: Official Youth Day T-shirts and hoodies are now available for custom and group pre-orders through PAL (Peace and Love) Campaign! Customize your Youth Day shirt with your youth group or parish name on the back for only $3 more. All orders with payment must be received by January 25, 2016 for direct shipping.

Special pre-order discount pricing is valid through January 25, 2016:
     T-shirts: $13* ($15 at Youth Day)
     Hoodie Sweatshirts: $30* ($35, limited quantity at Youth Day)
     Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
          *2XL-4XL T-shirts are $2 more; hoodie sweatshirts $5 more.

Order online at www.palcampaign.com/layouthday or email layouthday@palcampaign.com for orders or questions.
See the Youth Day page »

RECongress Spotlight: Art Exhibit

Friday thru Sunday, Arena Lobby
See how local talent has captured the
images of God’s Boundless Mercy in and around our local community. This exhibit will also provide an opportunity to explore our own understanding of God’s mercy. Come spend some time, let your heart be touched.

See all the Congress Spotlights »

Liturgy Feature: Mass of Compassion

The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, as called for by Pope Francis, has already inspired many people and had a great impact on our work in preparation for Congress 2016. The jubilee year, along with Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, sparked some wonderful creativity in our liturgy preparations. Our hope is that the liturgies of Congress may be a Spirit-filled encounter with Christ Jesus and a celebration of the life of the Church.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016 - 5:15 pm
Mass of Compassion

Rev. Michael Kennedy, presider

Music by Trevor Thomson

The key to mercy is compassion. Compassion and mercy are common themes of the season of Lent, and Year C is full of parables about the compassion of God from the account of Luke. Without compassion, why would we go to the margins to assist those in need? This liturgy is intended to remind us of the necessity of compassion in Christian life and ministry.
See the Congress Liturgies »

Speaker Feature: Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ

Over the three days, Congress 2016 will offer 300 workshops presented by 200 speakers. Topics range from personal growth to music to spiritual topics — in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Each Emailing we spotlight one of our presenters:

Author and speaker Fr. Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest, is founder and Executive Director of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation program in the United States, now in its 26th year. The native Angeleno was transformed by his work in Bolivia, Mexico and Folsom State Prison in Northern California, and when he returned to the Boyle Heights community of Los Angeles he started what would become Homeboy Industries. Fr. Boyle is also author of the N.Y. Times best-selling book, “Tattoos on the Heart.”

Be Fearless for Me: Courage and the Gospel of the Marginalized (*)

Period 2-01, Arena, Friday, February 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Pope Francis insists that the credibility of the Church rests in how we bring the Gospel to the marginalized. Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, will explore the invitation of Jesus to be courageous in living the Gospel at the margins. Drawing upon 30 years of working with gang members, Fr. Boyle will focus this reflection on joy, hope and the courage of tenderness.

Forgive Us Our Trespasses as We Execute Those Who Trespass Against Us? (*)

Period 4-22, Saturday, February 27 - 10:00 - 11:30 am

This session invites you to participate in one of the most merciful actions people of faith can participate in: to self-reflect, understand and put into action our faith teachings as they relate to the use of the death penalty as a form of justice. Chaplain Javier Stauring will moderate a panel of inspiring and insightful speakers, including gang intervention expert Fr. Greg Boyle, activist Mike Farrell, and a family member of a homicide victim. As Pope Francis notes: “The death penalty is contrary to the sentiment of humanitas and to divine mercy, which must be the model for human justice.”
Go to the Speakers 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 Hotels listing »