RECongress Theme Song Video Announced

Tony Alonso is the composer of our theme song for the 2020 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. And GIA has just released the video "Vive la Misericordia, Vive la Santidad | LA RECongress 2020 Theme Song." Watch the video here and learn more about this theme song from the composer himself. 

Tony Alonso is also presenting a bilingual workshop with Peter Kolar on Wednesday, Session 5-02, "Let Us Walk with Jesus / Caminemos con Jesús." Take a look at the behind-the-scenes video about the project. 

Find other RECongress Spotlights here »

Did You Receive Your Mailing?

Youth Day — This is the last week for mailing of Youth Day packets (containing Chaperone and youth badges, Chaperone badge holders, Track information, map, and participant guidelines).
If you register before Feb. 5 and still don't receive your packet in the mail, contact the Registration Desk at 213-637-7348. After Feb. 5 all packets are available for pick up on site in Anaheim. NOTE: Feb. 12 is the last day for new Youth Day registrations. 

Adult Days — This is the last week we are mailing RECongress tickets. If you don't receive your tickets in the mail, check to see if you have an email confirmation with an ID number. That's all you need — your ID number is the same as the barcode. Barcode confirmations began being sent on January 20. You can use the barcode to print out your tickets in Anaheim at the Registration area, located in the Hall B Prefunction area. Hours during the RECongress weekend are:
Thursday, February 20: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday, February 21: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Saturday, February 22: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm
Sunday, February 23: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Find mailing information on our Updates page here »

Front Row with Archbishop Gomez

Saturday, February 22 - 10:30 am
– Performance Stage in Hall A
 

Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez (left), who was recently elected President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will host an interactive conversation with Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, on the papacy of Pope Francis. Grab a front row seat on site  at the Performance Stage or online through Facebook Live.

Find other RECongress Spotlights here »

Last Weeks For Disney Ticket Offer

Religious Education Congress attendees may purchase specially priced Disneyland Resort Theme Park eTickets prior to their arrival. There is special pricing for Twilight Convention tickets (after 4 pm), 1-day 1-park, multi-day and park hopper tickets. This discounted eTicket offier is only available online at https://www.mydisneygroup.com/ZMRB20A. NOTE: We recommend to order your discounted eTickets by February 16. Tickets are valid from Saturday, February 15, 2020 through Wednesday, February 26, 2020. (This special offer is not available once you arrive at the Disney Resort and is intended only for attendees and guests of RECongress 2020.)
See other RECongress 2020 Updates here »

Art Exhibit Announced

Friday through Sunday – Arena Lobby
 

Our Art Exhibit features artist Fr. William Hart McNichols, who was named “among the most famous creators of Christian iconic images in the world” by Time magazine. The Roman Catholic priest says of his work: “I try to bring true devotion and prayer into the process of writing an icon, dependent upon the inspiration of the Blessed Trinity, the saints, holy ones, and the Mother of God.” Take some time to experience these beautiful images displayed in the Arena Lobby.

Find other RECongress Spotlights here »

RECongress Exhibitors in Hall A

One of the most sought-after perks of registration is admission to the Exhibit Hall. This year, we have 540 booths in Hall A, showcasing nearly 250 companies as exhibitors — ranging from religious art to music, from publishing houses to educational institutions, in addition to our own represented Archdiocesan ministries. Hours for the Exhibit Hall (Hall A) during RECongress adult days are:
Friday & Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
You can download a map of Hall A here.
Find the listing of RECongress Exhibitors here »

Speaker Book Signings Announced

A number of our RECongress Speakers have scheduled times to sign their books and CDs after their workshops. The Signing Area is located in the Exhibit Hall, in the northwest corner of Hall A. Please check the posted schedule on site for any updates to table or appearance times.

Find the Speaker Signing Schedule here »

Youth Day Spotlight: Katie Prejean McGrady

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 Hall.

Youth Day - Thursday, February 20, 2020

Title: WHAT NEXT? DISCERNING VOCATION IN A “NOTHING MATTERS” WORLD

Speaker: Katie Prejean McGrady

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

Times: 9:45 am & 2:30 pm

It’s easy to believe that there’s a purpose for our life. It’s harder to figure out what that purpose is. And then, it’s even harder to convince people that the path you’re taking is good and right. So, what comes next? What will you do with your life? Where will you study and work, who will you marry, where will you buy a house, will you go to the seminary or the convent to become a priest or nun? What. Comes. Next?! Let’s figure out how to ask — and answer — those questions together.

Katie Prejean McGrady is an international speaker, traveling to 38 states and three countries, and author of “Room 24: Adventures of a New Evangelist” and “Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus.” She is the host of The Electric Waffle, a podcast of conversational chaos about culture and Catholicism. Mc- Grady was one of three delegates chosen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to attend the Pre-Synod gathering on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment at the Vatican.
Find other Entertainment at RECongress here »

Speaker Spotlight: Bishop Edward Braxton

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:

Most Rev. Edward Braxton was installed as bishop for the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. in 2005. He authored several books and many articles and has served on the faculties at The Catholic University of America, the University of Notre Dame, Harvard Divinity School, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Bishop Braxton’s 2015 pastoral letter, “The Racial Divide in the United States,” has been published in several journals and he has lectured on the issues addressed in the pastoral at a number of universities.

Friday, February 21, 10:00-11:30 am - Session 1-03
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH & THE DEADLY EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE IN THE UNITED STATES

In the face of the endless series of mass murders of innocent people through gun violence, Bishop Edward Braxton asks the question: Is there nothing we Catholics can do? Acknowledging that he is not an expert on these matters, he argues that all Catholics have a responsibility to examine their hearts, study Scripture, attend to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and find ways to be true instruments of peace. After listing practical suggestions, he insists that we can all do something. We must do what we can!

Friday, February 23, 1:00-2:30 pm - Session 2-05
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: WHAT IF HE WERE STILL ALIVE TODAY?

What if the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were still alive today? What if the gunshot wound had not been fatal? What if Dr. King, at 91, was among us, like Moses whose eyes were not dimmed? In this presentation, Bishop Edward Braxton will examine factors that are exacerbating the racial divide today. From Rev. Dr. King’s perspective, what would the troubadour for justice and peace have to say about the world today? What would be his response to political discourse increasing the racial divide and the fact of his “dream?” Has the Catholic Church advanced that dream?

Find the list of RECongress Speakers here »

Liturgy Spotlight: Taizé

Saturday, February 22, 9:00 pm
- ACC North 251 (upper level)
— New location this year! —

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic fraternity founded in Taizé, France. It is composed of more than one hundred brothers, from Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from about 30 countries across the world.
[Languages: Vietnamese and English]

The Taizé service has been offered at RECongress since 2005, and like all evening liturgies, concerts and prayer services, guests of attendees are also invited as well.

Find the listing of RECongress Liturgies here »

Entertainment: Saturday Evening Concert

Saturday, February 22, 8:00 pm - Arena
"Fiesta Latina”

Join many of your favorite OCP artists for a lively evening celebration of diverse Latino cultures, featuring some of the most beloved songs known by many in the community. Performances by Anna Betancourt, Mauricio Centeno, Jaime Cortez, Iván Díaz, Santiago Fernández, Estela García-López, Rodolfo López, Pedro Rubalcava, and Jessica & Koren Ruiz.
Find other Entertainment at RECongress here »

Airport Shuttle Service

The Religious Education Congress has made arrangements for discounted airport transportation with Karmel Shuttle, offering direct service between Los Angeles International (LAX), John Wayne (SNA), and Long Beach (LGB) airports to and from the Anaheim Resort. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.
3 WAYS TO REGISTER:
1) Visit www.karmel.com and enter Promo Code: RECON20.
2) Call toll free 1-888-995-RIDE (888-995-7433) and mention promo

    code “RECON20” at the time of reservation.
3) Click this link — exclusively for Religious Education Congress attendees.
Find additional shuttle information here »