Youth Day Participant Opportunities

Youth Day invites all young people to consider sharing their gifts in one of the following ways:

Liturgical Ministries: Serve within the Eucharistic Mass as a cross bearer, candle bearer, gift bearer, altar server or lector. These roles support our ritual worship.

Ministers of Movement: Youth who express themselves best through movement are invited to lead the assembly in gesture and prayer. This may include dance, liturgical movement and ritual gesture.

Music: Those singers and instrumentalists who have a passion for performing are invited to join the Youth Day Choir. Please note that soloists and instrumentalists must go through an audition process.

General Session Host: Youth who are confident speakers in front of a large audience are invited to audition. Roles include skits, storytellers, poets and those who provide narration.

Workshop MC: Youth comfortable speaking in a smaller setting are invited to assist in introducing our speakers and presenters. These individuals will also be responsible for opening and closing our day in prayer.

Social Media: Serve as part of the social media team to assist in capturing content and usable quotes.

Spirit Squad: Serve as a member of the Spirit Squad whose job it is to pump up the crowd at Youth Day!

All young people interested in one of the above roles are invited to register for Youth Day Recruitment Day, and then attend on November 16, 2019, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. The day will take place at St. Bede the Venerable Parish (215 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011). All participants must register in advance to attend.
Find more information on the Youth Day page here »

Youth Day Spotlight: Doug Tooke

Both Tracks on Youth Day get to see Arena Keynote Doug Tooke. In addition to the keynote, groups select two workshops from the remaining 14 sessions -– all held in ACC North.

Title: HOLYNESS IS HARD?
Speaker: DOUG TOOKE
Location: Convention Arena

The challenge to pursue holiness and sainthood seems difficult … at first. In this keynote, Doug Tooke will show through story, Scripture and real-life practices that the pursuit is worth the risk!

Doug Tooke is Vice President of Ministry Advancement for ODB Films as well as an adjunct staff member with Life Teen International. He has over 25 years of professional ministry experience and has traveled to over 100 dioceses teaching, keynoting conventions and training youth ministers. Tooke is a recipient of the National Catholic Youth Ministry Award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. He, his wife and their five daughters all live in Helena, Mont. when things do not go our way?
Find other Youth Day Speakers here »

Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Robert Wicks

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 will spotlight one of our speakers:

Dr. Robert Wicks is Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Maryland. He has also taught in universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology and social work as well as offering a number of commencement addresses. Dr. Wicks has published over 50 books. He is a recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Counseling Association’s Division on Ethics and Values and has received the Papal Medal from Pope John Paul II for his service to the Church.

HEARTSTORMING: CREATING A PLACE GOD CAN CALL HOME
Amid the challenges of life there are many opportunities to experience in deeper ways the peace of God and to share it with those we meet every day. When we do this, God offers us not only new wisdom when we stand in the darkness but also provides the strength to offer a “spiritual smile of hope” to those who need it most. Topics include understanding “spiritual sadness”; exploring the amazing paradox of letting go; failure and “entertaining angels”; grace, really; unnecessary personal darkness; and exploring the three inner journeys all of us must take in the spiritual life.

THE SIMPLE CARE OF A HOPEFUL HEART: STRENGTHENING YOUR INNER LIFE IN CHALLENGING TIMES

One of the greatest gifts we can share with others is a sense of our own peace. However, we can’t share what we don’t have. By discussing psychological and spiritual approaches to maintaining a healthy perspective and enhancing resilience, Dr. Wicks, an expert on the prevention of secondary stress (the pressures experienced in reaching out to others), offers insights into the process of reaching out without being pulled down. Topics include toxic compassion; developing your own self-care program; knowing the four “voices” we need in our circle of friends; benefiting from inner darkness; and deepening your own rule of prayer.

Find the list of RECongress Speakers here »

Spotlight: Friday Lunchtime Concert

Friday, February 21, 11:45 am-12:30 pm – Hall B

Meredith Augustin & Lorraine Hess

Join WLP artists Meredith Augustin and Lorraine Hess for a lunchtime concert that will nourish your soul and heal your heart!

Find other Entertainment at RECongress 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, sure to 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 »

Southern Californians: It's a New Year

Back-to-school time also means back-to-Ralphs.com time! RECongress is a member of Ralphs Community Contributions Program. Simply by using your Ralphs Rewards Card a portion of eligible purchases is contributed to RECongress.

If you would like to register or if you've already registered this year, you need to re-register. Everyone needs to be re-enrolled for the term that starts September 1. Simply register your Ralphs Rewards Card online at www.ralphs.com. Once it is registered, click on Community Contributions and choose Name: Archdiocese of Los Angeles - Religious Education or Organization Number: KV939.

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