Speaker Spotlight: Sr. Helen Prejean

Over the three days, RECongress 2020 will offer nearly 300 workshops presented by nearly 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. Helen Prejean, a sister of the Congregation of St. Joseph, is author of “Dead Man Walking,” the book that has spawned am Academy Award-winning movie, a play and an opera. The human rights activist and speaker has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on the death penalty and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions. Based in New Orleans, Sr. Prejean travels the United States, Europe and Canada giving talks about her ministry.

THE DEAD MAN WALKS: UNCEASING DEATH PENALTY DIALOGUE BEARS FRUIT

 Sr. Helen Prejean is known worldwide for her tireless dialogue with citizens and fellow Catholics on the necessity to end government killings. She is author of “Dead Man Walking” and “The Death of Innocents”; she now brings to us, “River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey,” which tells of her gradual awakening to the Gospel call to do justice, which led her to Death Row. She has been a dynamic partner in Catholic dialogue on the death penalty and is eager to share her behind-the-scenes account of Pope Francis’ declaration on August 2, 2018 that the death penalty can never be allowed under any circumstances.

RIVER OF FIRE: AN ACCOUNT OF THE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING THAT LED TO DEATH ROW

“River of Fire” is the prequel to “Dead Man Walking” and tells of Sr. Helen Prejean’s “slow” quickening to faith that does justice. For her, for a long time, faith in Jesus meant being charitable to those around and praying for God to comfort people suffering from injustice. In “River of Fire,” she tells of God’s gentle, relentless grace that woke her up to serve impoverished African Americans, who quickly became her teachers, introducing her to the “other America,” and, in turn, led her to Death Row.

Find our listing of RECongress Speakers here »

Have You Considered Volunteering?

Our Los Angeles Religious Education Congress could not function without the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time. If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer for our next RECongress, please consider this your "personal invitation." We have a need for volunteers for both Youth Day and our Adult Days, including Adult Days Workshop Volunteers (English, Spanish and Vietnamese), Eucharistic Ministers for the two Sunday Closing Liturgies in the Arena, and musicians for the RECongress Choir. All new volunteers should plan to attend a Volunteer Meeting held on Tuesday evening, January 21, 2020.
Find additional Volunteer information here »

Some Hotel Tips

With you in mind, the Religious Education Congress has contracted with certain hotels in the Convention Center area that offer a variety of pricing and room types that should meet everyone’s needs. Please pay special attention to the amenities offered -- some properties offer free breakfast options and several hotels offer suites that can house up to 6 people -- that can add even greater value to your stay. To get the quoted rates, be sure you are speaking with the local property and mention that you are attending the 2020 Religious Education Congress and ask for the REC or Religious Education Congress Block Group Rate.

Find the list of contracted hotels here »

Have You Registered to Help?

Ralphs Grocery Company, the Southern California supermarket chain, supports non-profit organizations with annual contributions. Here is an easy way to help the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, a member of Ralphs Community Contributions Program. Simply by using your Ralphs rewards Card a portion of eligible purchases are contributed to the RECongress. Be sure to re-enroll for this new September 2019 term.

We encourage all Ralphs shoppers to sign up for the free Ralphs rewards Card and register it with the Community Contributions Program. It’s the easiest way to contribute to RECongress.
Name: Archdiocese of Los Angeles - Religious Education
Organization Number: KV939

Find step-by-step instructions and information online and
Read more about the Ralphs program »