RECongress Emailing - January 13, 2020 (REC #2020.17)

RECongress Registration Deadline Extended

Did you know you can still register for the 2020 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress at the lower rate? The registration deadline has been extended through Monday, January 20. The discounted rate for Youth Day is $35 ($40 after January 20) and the discount for the Adult Days of RECongress 2020 is $75 ($85 after January 20).

And keep an eye on our site — archive.recongress.org — for coming information about RECongress 2020.

20/20 Through God's Eyes — A reflection on our Youth Day theme: "Teens and the whole church need to see "Through God's Eyes" so we can fight the injustices that are tearing us apart as human beings. Not judging a person for who they love or where they are from but rather loving them because they are who they are. Looking through his eyes, he shows us how perfect we are in ways that he has created us to be. Come and get ready to see yourself with those new lenses, 20/20 Through God’s Eyes!"

Pass along this emailing or our link — archive.recongress.org — to share with friends, and encourage them to sign up for the Emailings to receive the latest information about RECongress 2020. If you do not care to receive future updates, you can find removal information at the bottom of this message.

It's Not Too Late To Volunteer

Youth Day — We are in need of "happy" people to help in volunteer positions for Youth Day. Any adult over the age of 21 who is not chaperoning a group is invited to volunteer.

Adult Days — We are also in need of volunteers at the Adult Days workshops in roles as MCs (speaker liaison), Chairperson (workshop coordinator) or Assistants (ticket takers).

RECongress Choir — We also extend an invitation those who are interested in singing at the Closing Liturgies (Sunday at 8:00 am and at 3:30 pm).

Volunteer Meeting — Interested in volunteering? We invite you to attend the meeting for all new Volunteers on Tuesday, January 21.
Check for further information and requirements online.
Find information on our Volunteer page here »

Youth Day Spotlight: Mike Patin

In addition to the Arena Keynote on Youth Day, you make your choice of two workshops from the remaining 14 sessions held in ACC North.

Youth Day - Thursday, February 20, 2020

Title: #ISEEWHATYOUDIDTHERE

Speaker: Mike Patin

Location: ACC North 255-257 (upper Level 200)

Times: 8:15 am & 1:00 pm

Nearsighted. Farsighted. Double vision. Night blindness. There are countless challenges to physical vision. The same is true for spiritual vision. The challenges of school, family, friendships and more can blur our vision and make it difficult to see how we can live as disciples when there is so much going on. We’ll take a different look at being vibrant, young Catholic disciples today.

Mike Patin, the “engaging Cajun,” lives in Lafayette, La. He has served the church as a high school teacher, coach and diocesan staff person. Patin previously was with the CYO/Youth Ministry Office for the New Orleans Archdiocese and, since 2003, he has been a full-time “ faith horticulturist” addressing groups across the United States and Canada as parish mission presenter, trainer and retreat facilitator. He has published two books: “A Standing Invitation” and “This Was Not in the Brochures: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry.”
Find our other Youth Day Speakers here »

Speaker Spotlight: Fr. Albert Haase

Over the three days, RECongress 2020 will offer nearly 300 workshops presented by about 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:

Franciscan priest Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, is a popular preacher, teacher, spiritual director and guest on talk radio shows. A former missionary to mainland China for over 11 years, he is an award-winning author of 11 books on popular spirituality, most recently, ”Becoming an Ordinary Mystic: Spirituality for the Rest of Us,” and presenter on five best-selling DVDs, including “The BE Attitudes: Ten Paths to Holiness.” He is currently Chaplain at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Temple, Texas, in the Austin Diocese.

Friday, February 21, 10:00-11:30 am - Session 1-10

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION

The spiritual journey is the process of being conformed by the Spirit of God to the image of Christ for the sake of others. In this workshop, we’ll explore the stages and dynamics of the spiritual journey, its challenges for 21st-century Christians, and see how ordinary people were transformed by their willingness to surrender to God’s grace.

Sunday, February 23, 1:00-2:30 pm - Session 8-11

THE PRESENT MOMENT: A SACRAMENT AND AMBASSADOR

In the 19th century, “Abandonment to Divine Providence,” a work ascribed to the 18th-century Jesuit priest Jean-Pierre de Caussade, became an instant best-seller and one of the great works of spirituality. In our contemporary age, where “living in the present moment” is a current fad, this 19th-century text offers a Christian and mystical approach to the here and now. This workshop explores the mysticism of the present moment and offers both a technique for living in the present as well as a discussion of its practical effects.

Find the list of RECongress Speakers here »

Liturgy Spotlight: For Evangelization of All

Within the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, liturgy is celebrated every Sunday in no fewer than 40 different languages. We have worked diligently to inculturate the liturgies at Congress to accurately and authentically reflect the church of Los Angeles.

Friday, February 21, 2020 • 5:15 pm
JOYFUL NEWS: MASS FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF ALL PEOPLES

Presider: Bishop Daniel Flores (photo)

Music by: ValLimar Jansen

In this liturgy, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your unique call to share the joyful news of the Gospel through your own life, ordinary activities and everyday settings — especially in your practice of mercy and your growth in holiness. Pope St. Paul VI wrote in “On Evangelization in the Modern World“ that “the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church” — the mission of each and all of us! [Language: English]

Bishop Flores is also the Spanish Keynote on Saturday Morning.

Find the listing of RECongress Liturgies here »

Entertainment: Sacred Illuminations

February 22, 8:30 pm – ACC North 158 (lower 100 level)

An annual feature at RECongress is Sacred Illuminations, a mystical choreography of light and sound. Incorporating her newest fine art photography and reflections, Sister Rose Marie Tulacz, SND will lead us to a deeper experience to live mercy and be holy so our witness gives glory and thanks to the Father
Find other Entertainment at RECongress here »

Note the January Deadlines for Several Hotels

We have contracted with a number of hotels to offer attendees a variety of pricing and room types. But you need to book now. A number of these hotels have January deadlines for the special rates. Check our online listing and be 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 »

Just for Southern Californians

Ralphs Grocery Company, a major supermarket chain in the Southern California area, supports schools, churches and other 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.

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

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

Looking Back 25 Years ... at 1995

From the 1995 Religious Education Congress Registration Guidebook, with the theme "Passion for Justice" held February 16-19, 1995 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

CATHOLIC AND CAPABLE

This workshop will explore the notion of shaping our ministry among youth in a way that gives them the SKILLS to develop their spiritual life, handle the new stressors in their lives, and make a contribution to others.

Mike Carotta is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky. He has been involved in religious education for more than 20 years. He has authored several religious education programs currently in use. Most recently Mike served as Executive Director of the NCEA Department of Religious Education in Washington, D.C.

See the 1990 RECongress Guidebook here »

Our Web Site — RECongress.org

You can find all Congress information and updates online. Our upcoming RECongress Emailings will feature some Congress Spotlights, and we will be adding speaker and hotel information online. Check our site for updates and announcements.

RECongress Emailing

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Find past Emailings at archive.recongress.org/emailing.htm