RECongress 2016 Theme Song
Listen how the RECongress 2016 Theme Song was created by Meredith Augustin, Director of Music at St. Francis of Assisi (right in the heart of New York City!) and Catholic artist with World Library Publications.
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RECongress Registration
Note: We are no longer accepting mailed-in registrations. Please register online or on site at Congress in Anaheim.
Youth Day registration closes on Tuesday, February 16. There is NO on-site registration for Youth Day.
Congress registration remains open through Sunday morning, February 28.
 

Youth Day and Congress Tickets
If you received an email confirmation with a barcode, print it out and bring it with you to Congress (or have it with you on your smartphone) to print your tickets at the Registration area at Congress. If you did not receive your tickets by mail and haven't received a confirmation email, call Lu this week at (213) 637-7348. At Congress, just go to the Registration area in the Prefunction Area of the Convention Center.

On-site registration hours at Congress are:

     Thursday, February 25: 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
     Friday, February 26: 7:00 am-3:00 pm
     Saturday, February 27: 7:30 am-3:00 pm
     Sunday, February 28: 8:00 am-11:00 am

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Convention Center Parking
The Anaheim Convention Center is undergoing construction. The expansion project has demolished Car Park 1 next to the Arena on  Katella Ave. During construction, you may park in Car Park 4 or Car Park 6 (both accessed from West Street), or the Toy Story Lot (off of Harbor Blvd), or the parking structure at the Anaheim GardenWalk (off of Katella Ave.). You can download a parking map here and watch a video about the expansion project here.

The Convention Center is providing shuttle service to and from both the Disney Toy Story Lot and the Anaheim GardenWalk parking structure. For your convenience, the shuttle runs from 7 am-10 pm. Parking is $15 — the same rate as at the Convention Center.
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60 Years of RECongress
Congress 2016 is our 60th event since the first CCD Institute held in 1956. Celebrating our 60 years, we will be giving away 60 FREE registrations for Congress 2017. Be sure to visit the Office of Religious Education Booth in Hall A and enter your name on one of the iPads. Names will be randomly selected from those entered. You do not need to be present at the booth to win; you will be notified if you are selected.
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RECongress 2016 Special Issue
Take an advance look at the special Congress 2016 issue of The Tidings, weekly newspaper of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Every Congress attendee receives the free commemorative issue. In it there is a story about Keynote Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ as well a piece on Fr. Christopher Bazyouros, Director of the Office of Religious Education, and articles by Tidings contributors -- and Congress speakers -- Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, and Heather King.
See our Reviews page »

Disney Ticket Offer Ends Next Week
Next Wednesday, February 24, is the last day RECongress attendees can purchase specially priced Disneyland resort tickets. The discounted rates apply to Twilight Convention tickets (after 4 pm), 1-day 1-park, multi-day and park hopper tickets. This offer is only available online at the Disney Ticket Store and is not available at the Park. The tickets are valid from Thursday, February 18 through Monday, February 29, 2016. The online ticket store closes Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 9:00 PM PST.
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Sacred Space at Youth Day
Thursday through Sunday, Convention 304
For the first time, Sacred Space will be a part of the Youth Day experience. Sacred Space provides a quiet place to pray in the chapel and the opportunity to walk the labyrinth, where you can mindfully reflect on your life as you journey toward a fuller life in God. Included this year, you can pray the Stations of the Cross, focusing on the victims of human trafficking. Hours on Youth Day are from 7:30 am-4:30 pm.

See the Youth Day page »

Stations of the Cross in Sacred Space
Thursday through Sunday, Convention 304
Stand in prayerful solidarity with the victims of human trafficking as you pray the Stations of the Cross at Sacred Space this year. Human trafficking is a painful reality -- modern-day slavery happening all around us, often undetected. Download and read the prayer reflection, “Garden of Dreams – A Via Crucis on Human Trafficking,” as you prepare to journey with these countless victims.
Read about the Stations of the Cross »

Speaker/Artist Book Signing
Authors and musical performing artists appearing at Congress have scheduled times to sign their books, CDs and DVDs at the Signing Area. After every period there are scheduled times for speaker signings — including Keynote Sr. Helen Prejean on Saturday. Note the NEW location for the Signing Area — now located in the northwest corner of Hall A. Check the posted schedule for any updates to table number or appearance times.
See the Signing Schedule »

Calling Young Adults!
The Young Adult Ministry is in need of Young Adults who would like to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Communion and Ushers for the Young Adult Mass at RECongress 2016. Mass is on Saturday, February 27 at 5:15 pm in the Marriott Marquis Ballroom. There is also a required brief rehearsal during lunchtime that Saturday. Sign up here for information to be emailed to you.
See the Volunteers page »

Visit the Technology Center in Hall A ...
Friday thru Sunday – Tech Center in Hall A
Don't forget to check the online Tech Center schedule or at the Tech Center for computer demonstrations by the Catholic Communication Collaboration, Claremont Lincoln University, Gradelink, Immaculate Heart Radio, Magis Center, Sacramental Scribe, St. Camillus Center,  and more. Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez starts off events at the Tech Center on Friday with an online video chat with students from St. Mary Magadelen School in Camarillo.

... and Don't Forget Your Free ePostcard
In addition to the Congress 60th year logoed souvenir pens, pins and magnets, you can also claim a free souvenir ePostcard. The ePostcards are only available on Sunday and only at the Technology Center, located in the southeast area of Hall A under the "Computer Demonstration" banner. Take your picture at Congress to email home and/or to your friends.

See Last Year's ePostcards »

Scooter / Wheelchair Rentals
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your ability to attend or enjoy RECongress due to handicap access or mobility concerns, please feel free to contact Rob Williams at RECmobility@la-archdiocese.org. RECongress' Mobility Team will be available to help with wheelchair transport, special seating and any access issues within Congress. At Congress you can find the Mobility Team located just outside Congress Headquarters (AR-1), in the Arena Lobby area.

NOTE: The Convention Center does not provide wheelchairs. You may contact Alpha Drugs Pharmacy at either of their two locations in Anaheim: 1240 S. Magnolia, (714) 220-0373; or 515 S. Beach Blvd., (714) 821-8959.

OC Medical has scooters and wheelchairs for rent to attendees during the Religious Education Congress. Contact them to reserve equipment at 755 N. Euclid Street in Anaheim, (800) 593-4942 FAX (714) 956-4692. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am-5:30 pm, Saturday from 10 am-2 pm. Online at www.ocmedicalsupply.com.
See the Congress Updates page »

Audio Recording at Congress
Most of the Congress workshop sessions are audio recorded with speaker permission. Audio CDs are available at Congress for purchase at the CSC Digital Media booth, located at the east wall in Exhibit Hall A. Downloadable MP3s will be made available after Congress. You can order on site, from the order page in the Program Book or online — during Congress and after. NOTE: Attendee recording of any workshop or general assembly session is not permitted.
Go to Recording page »

Tips to "Survive" Congress
Once again we bring you "Tips for Surviving RECongress" written by Congress attendee (and blogger) Claude Muncey:

If you're not already familiar with it, the RECongress is probably the largest regularly scheduled gathering of Catholics in North America. It is held at the Anaheim Convention Center across the street from Disneyland. Thursday is Youth Day, which attracts around 15,000 high schoolers, and Friday through Sunday is the Congress itself, which is attended by anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 teachers, catechists, musicians and other Catholics in ministry from all over the country. There are dozens of conference sessions each day with Masses and other events in the evenings. Here are a dozen handy tips for surviving the Religious Education Congress:
Dress for comfort
There is nothing formal about RECongress. Good shoes and socks are a must. Think of it as going on a day hike with 10,000 of your closest friends!
Get there the night before
If possible, even Thursday afternoon (Youth Day). Try to avoid crossing Downtown Los Angeles between the hours of 3 pm and 7 pm.
Take your entire registration packet
Bring the whole envelope and get there Thursday between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm or early Friday to avoid lines when picking up your book and nametag holder. ...
Read the complete list of Congress 'Survival' Tips on our Web site.
See all the Congress Tips »

Some RECongress Reminders:
Live Streaming in Hall B
As an alternative to dealing with the Arena crowd, you can watch Friday’s Opening Event (8:30-9:30 am) by a live streaming broadcast in Hall B.

Program Book Online - click here
Our 2016 Program Book — the one given away at Congress — and even our Registration Guidebook are available online in PDF (requires the free Adobe Reader) and in iPaper format (requires no software download).

Hotels - click here
RECongress has contracted with local hotels to offer special rates for attendees through early February. When making hotel reservations, be sure to ask for the Religious Education Congress rate, if still available.

Show Your Badge & Save Program - click here
Congress attendees can receive promotional offers and discounts during Congress with the "Show Your Badge & Save" program. Discounts are available at participating restaurants, attractions and much more.

Anaheim Protesters

If there are protesters at Congress, please do not engage in conversation with them. Ignoring them is the best way of responding. We have developed a plan with Convention Center staff to handle any potential protests.

Airport Shuttle - click here
Prime Time Shuttle is offering Congress attendees special online convention discounts for transportation to and from Southern California airport or cruise ship terminals.

Chair Massage at Congress
On Friday and Saturday (10 am-4:30 pm) and again on Sunday (10 am-2:30 pm) in the Hall A Prefuntion area you can take a break from the bustle of Congress with a chair massage. The cost is $1 per minute.

A.A. Meetings
Join a lunchtime meeting with other Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) men and women. This is an open meeting for anyone working a 12-Step program, or anyone interested in 12-Step recovery. The meeting room is location on the Marriott’s lower level, in the San Diego room.

Lost and Found
There is a Lost & Found desk located outside of Congress Headquarters, located in Convention AR 1, near the south end of the Arena.

Message Center
The Message Center, located in the Prefunction area, can receive incoming messages. Call (714) 765-8883 or (714) 765-8884 to leave a message, or you can leave a note on the Message Board.
Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Ralphs Rewards Program - click here
Don't forget to sign up at your Southern California Ralphs store for the free Ralphs rewards Card and register the card with the Community Contributions Program.

See the Updates Day page »

Free ACC Emailing

Want to know what's happening in the Los Angeles Archdiocese? The Archdiocesan Catholic Center (ACC) Newsbriefs is a free, weekly newsletter sent to your email address each Friday with information on upcoming workshops and events sponsored by ACC departments as well as other events throughout the Archdiocese. To subscribe, log on to lists.la-archdiocese.org/mailman/listinfo and provide your email address, your name and your phone number (in case of any questions). Your contact information will not be shared.
Read about the Tech Center »