Youth Day Feature: Ansel Augustine

Youth Day 2018 features an Arena Keynote, Session and Liturgy along with a choice of two workshops from among 13 speakers. Each Emailing we will spotlight one of those speakers:

Dr. Ansel Augustine has worked for over 18 years in his hometown of New Orleans as well as around the country. He is currently Residence Minister for Student Leadership and Faith Formation at St. John’s University and on the faculty for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Augustine presently serves on the board for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. He has presented at various national conferences and has written several publications related to ministry.

What's Goin' On: Culture and Politics
In this workshop, we will take a look at the state of our world. How are we called to respond as people of faith in a world that appears to reject faith? We will also examine some ways to strengthen our faith.

Find our Youth Day page here »

Congress Speaker Feature: Sr. Barbara Reid

Over the three days, Congress 2018 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:

Sr. Barbara Reid, a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Mich., is Vice President and Academic Dean as well as Professor of New Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where she has served since 1988. She is author of biblical works and presents approximately 25 speaking engagements a year throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Bolivia, Peru, Thailand and Guatemala. Sr. Reid’s most recent book is entitled, “Wisdom’s Feast: An Invitation to Feminist Interpretation of the Scriptures.”
 

Women Arising In the Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of Luke has more episodes featuring women than any other Gospel, which led early feminists to say that Luke is the Gospel for the advancement of women. Later feminists have examined the roles that women play in the third Gospel and have concluded that it relegates women to silent, passive roles, and when women speak, they are corrected or not believed. This session will reveal the women at the tomb as faithful, persistent hearers and proclaimers of the Word, even as women fall silent in Luke’s second volume, leaving us with an ambiguous message.
See our other speakers here »

Liturgy Spotlight: Eritrean Mass

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 5:15 pm

Eritrean (Eastern Rite)
Rev. Tesfaldet Asghedom, presider
Music by the Eritrean Community

Father Tes Asghedom serves as Pastor at Sacred Heart Church in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles and is one of the oldest parishes founded in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The country of Eritrea, on the northeast coast of Africa, is equally divided between Christian (Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic and Lutheran protestants) and Muslim religions.
See the listing of Congress Liturgies here »

RECongress Spotlight: Film Showcase

Friday, March 16, 7:45-9:45 pm

This year’s Film Showcase, in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Religion and Spirituality, presents excerpts from a number of narrative feature films, shorts, documentaries, experimental and animated films, whose thematic elements are grounded in Catholic social teaching, justice, ministry, spirituality and theology. Filmmakers will be present to meet with audience members.
Find other Congress Spotlights here »

Special hotel rates for attendees

Be sure to find our interactive map with information about contracted hotels with special rates for RECongress attendees. You can find all hotel information online. To get the quoted rates, contact the hotel directly and be sure to mention that you are attending the 2018 Religious Education Congress and ask for the REC or Religious Education Congress Block Group Rate.
Find the Hotel listings here »

Discount ticket store opens next month

Religious Education Congress attendees may purchase specially priced Disneyland resort eTickets. There is special pricing for Twilight Convention tickets (after 4 pm), 1-day 1-park, multi-day and park hopper tickets. Our online eTicket store is scheduled to open November 9.
See other Congress Updates here »

Just for Southern Californians

Ralphs Grocery Company, the Southern California supermarket chain, has a program to help non-profit organizations with annual contributions. We invite you to re-register your Ralphs Rewards Card again this year to benefit the RECongress. The current term began September 1 and runs through August 31, 2018. This is an annual program that must be renewed each year.  You may register online or by calling (800) 443-4438.

Sign up for the free Ralphs rewards Card and register your card with the Community Contributions Program. It’s never been easier to contribute to the RECongress.
Name: Archdiocese of Los Angeles - Religious Education
Organization Number: 90658

Find step-by-step instructions and information online and
Go to the RECongress Ralphs page »

A Look Back: RECongress 2008

FRIDAY EVENING CONCERT: Arena – 8:00 pm
BOB HALLIGAN, JR. & CEILI RAIN
Ceili (say: KAY-lee) is a Gaelic (Irish) word that means “party.” Thus, Ceili Rain is a Celtic-pop rock downpour of heavenly partiness! This six-headed joy-monster for Jesus will delight kids from 3 to 93. Billboard Magazine raves: “This group deserves to be heard by the entire world!” Join the Celtic conga line in the Arena on Friday night! live in solidarity and loving care.
See the Guidebook from RECongress 2008 »