Religious Education Congress 2005

Name: Irene
Date: October 12, 2006
Comments

We loved the closing liturgy at Congress 2006. It was a tri-lingual Mass setting. Can you give us the name of the Mass setting and where to find it?

Reply

The Mass setting was "Misa del Mundo" (Spanish for "Mass of the World") by Jesse Manibusan. He is published by OCP Publications. The link is www.ocp.org/en/products/music/11147.php.

Name: Ariadna
Date: October 6, 2006
Email: ajimenez_06@hotmail.com
Comments

Hello!
As always I loved this year's Congress and I can't wait to go to next year's Congress. However, while your website is insightful and you can find just about everything on here, you cannot find a place to update your address. I re-registered to get a Registration Guidebook but I wish you would have a way to update your address for when people move during the year that way duplicate books would be saved for others.

Reply

You are correct. We currently do not keep our mailing information online to be able to update addresses. However, we do use the NCOA (National Change of Address) service from the Post Office. So addresses that have changed since last year should be caught and updated. (The NCOA found 677 in last year's list of people who moved.)

Name: Barbara E.
Date: August 9, 2006
Comments

Regarding the request to not allow rolling backpacks: Some of us have back and shoulder problems/injuries that prevent us from ever carrying heavy backpacks and bags again. The rolling backpack allows us to carry our lunches, jackets, umbrellas, etc. along with all the things we purchase in the vendor areas, just like those whose backs are strong -- something which we otherwise would not be able to do. I have been almost run into by wheelchairs and motorized scooters -- should we ask people who rely on these to stay away too? A little consideration, please.

Name: Ann Cavera
Date: August 6, 2006
Comments

How are speakers and musicians chosen for the Congress?

Reply

The process is this: The Congress Committee chooses a "theme" based on the weekend's Sunday readings. The Liturgy Committee then selects a musician to compose the official theme song for Congress. (An original song is composed every year.) Next, committee members and Religious Education staffers jointly outline general workshop categories, which is followed by identification of specific workshop topics. From there, workshop speakers and musicians are discussed, then reviewed by the Congress Committee and are approved and invited by Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony.

Name: Rebecca Zdybel
Date: April 25, 2006
Comments

As a music minister from South Carolina where Catholics comprise only 3 % of the population, it was exciting to come to Congress and partake of the cultural diversity in your liturgies, and appreciate just how wide the arms of God can spread in order to be inclusive of as many as possible.

I enjoyed the music very much, particularly a workshop run by Sean Mahon, Cesar Marquez and Victor Vanacore titled "Extreme Makeover: Liturgical Music Edition." Their fresh renditions of music we all know helped me go home with ideas for our
own music makeovers. I hope to return and partake of more of their offerings at future Congresses.

I also thoroughly enjoyed my exposure to Matt Maher. His concerts were vibrant and inspirational for me as well. I can't wait to introduce more of his music to our parish!

Name: Amy
Date: April 23, 2006
Comments

I really enjoyed Congress this year!! It's no wonder why every year more and more people come to this event.

I do have some observations and suggestions:

Please DO NOT allow rolling backpacks. I lost track of how many times I saw people almost fall and hurt themselves over these things. Though they are convenient to use, the vendor area is not the place for one.
Please have more food options. The lines were too long due to the lack of food options. Also areas to sit to eat lunch. I can't believe that in that large of a place more areas could not be cordoned off for lunch areas.
Hall D though good size for the speakers that were in them, were horrible acoustically. I went to hear Terry Hershey and I could hear everything else around me as well. It was distracting. It took away from the talk. I know that the room set up was not ideal as well and overheard Mr. Hershey trying to see if he could speak somewhere else so that he could be seen by everyone. I know the sound person did all that he could to help but this is a good indication that the set up wasn't thought through.

I give you kudos though because overall you did a great job and I am already counting the days till next year's Congress.

Name: wellsprings_uk
Date: April 19, 2006
Comments

Hello
As a middle-aged Brit I have always felt uncomfortable with liturgical dance! However, the dancers at the Congress helped me to understand something of what Miriam's and David's dances before the tabernacle/the Lord meant to those who witnessed them and ensured they were recorded. I witnessed movement that directed my eyes to the Word and Sacred Action.
I will never be a liturgical dancer - but thank-you for showing me what Miriam and David offered to the People of God

Name: Greg Johnson
Date: April 18, 2006
Comments

Overall, this year's Congress was great as always. It is a highlight of the year!

There are always some "old favorite" speakers and a mix of new speakers. To continue its wonderful growth and vitality, the RE Congress needs a steady infusion of new speakers and new voices.

With the above point as a lead-in, here is my question:

What is the process for suggesting new speakers?

Reply

You may suggest speakers to congress@la-archdiocese.org or submit speaker information along with audio or video samples to: Congress Coordinator, 3424 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010. All new speakers are reviewed by our Congress Committee and are approved and invited by Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony.

Name: Ann Menna
Date: April 17, 2006
Comments

God bless you all.
We from Philadelphia had a wonderful experience and came in touch with a Church alive.
Happy Easter
ANN

Name: Barb Votel
Date: April 17, 2006
Comments

Just wanted to thank you all for making the RECongress wonderful as usual. Loved attending the workshops, and found them to be informative and interesting as usual. Still miss "The God Squad" -- are they still making appearances?

Also happy that you invited Ceili Rain back in 2006. I heard them first at Congress in 2000 and have become a big fan of their happy, hopeful music. Looking around at the large crowd at their concert, it was evident that their fan base keeps growing. So many were singing along with them and dancing. Hope they will continue to be in your future plans too. Can't get too much of a good thing. And the Irish dancers were wonderful too.

Name: Alice Camille
Date: April 17, 2006
Comments

Steve Binz' presentation on the Book of Revelation was the most professional and enlightening treatment of a topic I can recall in over 15 years of attending Congress. His use of PowerPoint was most effective (not the lame "read along with me as I read this outline to you" approach we too often see!) And his enthusiasm for his thesis -- that apocalyptic writing is a journey of imagination through which the reader is changed -- has made a convert out of me. I used to speak on Revelation myself, but I'm tearing up my notes in favor of Binz' approach! I sincerely hope we see Steve again at Congress. We can never have too many speakers preaching the Scriptures with passion and creativity.

Name: Marie
Date: April 17, 2006
Comments

This was my first year attending and I truly enjoyed it. It was a very uplifting event with great speakers, music, exhibitors, etc. However, since I didn’t get a chance to turn in my evaluation form, I would like to give a few comments:

Please have the exhibit area open longer. It was very hard to try to fit it in unless you skipped a session, which I ended up doing. It is so big and crowded, you just need more time to go through it.
Please have more breaks in the seating in the big arenas (D&C). The long rows of seats made it difficult to get in and out. Also, the noise from the other side was bad.
Please have more copies of the liturgy music and readings. One I went to ran out, and the other didn’t receive them until after the mass started.
More food options and more seating available to sit in when you are eating lunch.

Overall, it was a wonderful event and we can’t wait until next year. Thanks to everyone who put together this great event, coordinating all the great speakers and programs.

Name: Bill O’Connor
Date: April 12, 2006
Comments

[My friend] Kevin attended the Congress this year for the first time and he was most impressed. Indeed, the “Church is alive and well.” Once again I wish to say 2006 was a great Congress. Thank all the Congress Staff from Sr. Edith on down to all the volunteers for their dedication and hard work.
Peace, Love, Prayers,
Bill O’Connor

Name: Annie Paliza
Date: April 12, 2006
Comments

After taking several years off from Religious Ed involvement to raise two children, I returned this year and I have to say this Congress was a great ending to a fun year! The sessions left me feeling renewed and excited about returning to Religious Education. In addition, the Hispanic Mass on Saturday evening was absolutely wonderful. The Bishop's message, the music, and the liturgy were all very uplifting. THANK YOU!

Name: Lynette Castiglione
Date: April 12, 2006
Comments

My comments for the 2006 liturgy: Great as usual -- especially Fr. Tony Richard's mass and classes. Always bring him back. My one drawback that I wish you would work on for next year is the scheduling. Can you make it so the exhibit hall is open longer than 5 p.m. and the liturgies and breaks time out better. It is so hard to have dinner and go to concerts.

I was looking over comments from the past and was very upset to hear that someone was upset about any speaker speaking from Dignity in San Francisco. As someone who knows people that attend this church on a regular basis it is unfair to judge people when you haven't seen the whole package. There are fine people who should be speaking at Congress. But, over all, great as usual. But do reconsider the scheduling ... and video taping as well.

Name: Josefina Valdés Dávila
Date: April 12, 2006
Comments

Muy muy agradecida!

Mirar las fotos fue asomarme de nuevo a la experiencia preciosa de su Congreso! Felicidades y que el Señor les bendiga para seguir siempre adelante!

Gracias por compartir su riqueza

Editorial Enrique de Ossó. Guadalajara, México.

Name: Dorothy Turner
Date: April 12, 2006
Comments

Thank you for one of the best Congresses I have attended. For me and I believe I can speak also for St Raphael's (Santa Barbara) youth ministry team, the highlights were Fr. Tony Ricard, Mark Hart, Matt Maher (wow!), Hall B Youth Day Mass & the Young Adult Congress Mass. That Mass was an incredible experience of celebration and Spirit.

I just had two issues to share:

1) Hall B Youth Day Mass' sound crew for the SB Regional Choir was really awful. It has never been that way before so we were very surprised, disappointed and mystified.

2) I attended 2 sessions in Hall D1. There was a concurrent session in Hall D2. The distance between the two sessions was not adequate. The sound overlapped in a very distracting manner and made it much harder to hear and concentrate on the sessions. Maybe that will be corrected when Congress has use of the other hotels next year.

Thank you very much for a wonderful, uplifting Congress. I am still riding the spiritual high.

Name: Gary Jansan
Date: April 11, 2006
Comments

Dear Sister Edith,
I would like you to bring back one of the speakers you had at Congress in the past -- Father Tony Cambell. He was good
and is missed. So please bring him back.

I would like like to see one other thing change at the RECongress. I would like to see the booths open after the Friday and Saturday night liturgies. People end up missing their workshops to go to the exhibit booths.

Name: Nerissa Broas
Date: April 11, 2006
Comments

For those of us who forgot to turn in our evaluation forms--it would be nice to be able to do our evaluations online. Anyway--Great Job!!

Reply

Thanks for the idea. We'll look into it for next year.

Name: Sr. Lucy, fma
Date: April 9, 2006
Comments

Several dioceses require continuing education credits for certification in religious education. Can one get CE credits for attending workshops offered through the Religious Education Congress?

Reply

Yes, in cooperation with the Office of Religious Education at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, both Loyola Marymount University and Mount St. Mary's College offer continuing education credit for attending the Religious Education Congress. You can find specific information in our Registration Guidebooks (2006 pdf, pgs 93-94).

Name: Josefa Esparrago
Date: April 9, 2006
Comments

Some suggestions:

1. Please invite the St. Louis Jesuits again in the coming years. Their music is very uplifting. I would love to have them sing at the Arena masses. This year the Friday evening Mass where they sang was filled to capacity. Many were turned down at the door. Their Sunday lunch concert was a big delight. Please include more of their music in future liturgies. I had a great session, too, with Matthew Kelly.

2. If the Masses have to be inclusive of different ethnic groups, why was the Prayer of the Faithful done only in English & Spanish (referring to the Sunday AM closing Mass)? What happened to the different representations?

3. I find ever-growing Hispanization over the years. True, there is some Vietnamese, but there's just too much Spanish in the opening & closing sessions, even if there are already special Spanish liturgies. At least, please keep EACH song monolingual, one at a time. It's kind of distracting, esp. for non-Hispanics. This is an international event, not just for LA. You could find some backlash - especially with too much emphasis on freedom for illegals. I didn't mind Spanish all these years, but this year's political tone made it offensive. Please keep personal opinions in individual sessions, not for GENERAL ones. Hard-working legal immigrants who survived in spite of tough INS rules HAVE THEIR RIGHTS, too. Cardinal Mahony, please remember that.

4. For environmental responsibility, please include a recycling bin. There's so much recyclable materials that we can keep away from our landfills: paper, cans, plastic.

My overall experience at the Congress was very good. This is my 21st Congress, never missing a single one since I came to the U.S. I've been a volunteer, too, for many years. I hope the pleasant experience stays that way. Thank you.

Thank you, Fathers John, Roc, Bob, and Dan, for sharing your talent.

Name: Irene
Date: April 7, 2006
Comments

I have attended over 15 Congresses and enjoyed them all. Things seem to get better and better each year. One problem we had was attending a workshop in Hall C. The acoustics made it difficult to hear the comments from the audience members using microphones. Maybe it would be better not to have workshops in this hall if they include audience questions/comments [for the speaker].

Name: David Portugal
Date: April 7, 2006
Comments

I am always amazed at how Congress continues to improve! I also would like to see Scared Space open before and after sessions.... When Danielle Rose was singing in there during Adoration I thought I was in heaven! Truly its gotta be close to it! As for the post about extending Youth Day... what we did was take our Parish YOUTH LEADERS to the 3 day event. After all its not a family event as much as it is a event for those who teach the faith! Just my opinion. ;-)

Name: Claudia
Date: April 6, 2006
Comments

I agree that the Sacred Space should be open before and after sessions. This year I also felt that climate control was erratic -- the big rooms were freezing (and noisy!) and the small rooms were hot! But overall the experience was wonderful!

Name: Claudia
Date: April 5, 2006
Comments

1) Sacred Space -- needs to be open before and after sessions. It would have been great to be able to say good night to Him on my way out.
2) Contemplative Mass -- needs a larger venue!!! The one with Michael John Poirier was "sold out" by 4:45! That is what people want -- good solid liturgy without dancers or themes.

Name: Claudia
Date: April 5, 2006
Comments

Congress was extraordinary! I loved it. You had tremendous speakers this year. Congratulations. But I do have a complaint on Youth Day. It will be our 5th year for our church going to Youth Day, and even though you always mention not to reserve any seats in the Arena many chaperones do. We had a group of 80 this year and could not sit together because of saved seats by other groups. I don't think they had their first workshop in the Arena. I know is difficult to ask for tickets at the entrance of the workshops in the Arena but it would be really helpful. Many of my teenagers ask if they have ever had any workshops in Spanish in Youth Day, and if you ever going to have any in the future years?
Thank you very much and God Bless You.

Reply

I'm sorry that chaperones do not follow directions about not saving seats. In the future you might want to bring it to the attention of a Congress staff person that day. In the past we have offered workshops in Spanish and no one chose them. At this time we do not plan on offering workshops in Spanish.

Mike Norman, Youth Day Coordinator

Name: SJD
Date: April 4, 2006
Comments

Congratulations on another wonderful weekend at Congress! My wife and I have been participating for 24 years now and it continues to be an annual highlight for us!

I was wondering about the Hilton and the Marriott. Have they opted out for the Congress or cut way back on the number of rooms allotted to Congress participants? I tried to get reservations last September and they said they were already sold out. I also noted a paucity of workshops/liturgies in those two venues. What's up?

Steve

Reply

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the congrats. Glad your experience was good. The Hilton and Marriott will be back in full usage next year. This year there was another event so we used all the space in the Center. We’ll go back to our ‘old ways’ of using the hotel space next year (and we have plenty of hotel rooms too!)

Peace,
Vikki Shepp, Congress Coordinator

Name: Gary Jansan
Date: April 4, 2006
Comments

Dear Ms. Shepp
I would like to see a change in the Sunday Mass. I would like to hear the Mass in
in English only, not bilingual. I am talking about the mass in the Arena

Reply

Gary,
Thanks for your comments. As you are probably aware, our entire Congress is a trilingual event. We have speakers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and we include all three language groups in our closing liturgies. It is important that we acknowledge all involved.

Peace,
Vikki Shepp, Congress Coordinator

Name: Deacon Ed Smith
Date: November 22, 2005
Comments

In the age of compact discs, provide audio for the needs of the attendee. Rather than buying numerous tapes, which are on the way out, purchase one disc with the requested presentations.

I did some research online and found information indicating that DIGNITY, the group of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people who claim Catholic identity and are in open dissent with regards to the Church's teachings on sexuality as expressed in the Catechism and elsewhere, presented at the Youth Day and at other workshops in 2003. I am trying to decide whether to allow my teens to attend, and I need to know in advance whether or not they or any of their representatives, will be speaking, or if any open dissent of Church teaching on sexuality will be advocated by any speaker. How are prospective speakers screened and chosen, especially for Youth Day, is a more general and also important question which I would like answered. Yours in Christ.

Has Youth Day or Congress ever considered asking Michael Pritchard as either a keynote speaker or workshop speaker? He is a wonderful advocate for youth.

What happened to Kevin Saunders?? He is one of the great speakers that came to the Religious Education Congress. Why was he not invited to the latest Religious Education Congress? He was one of the reasons that I attended Congress. Please let me know what happened to him? Please invite him back!!

I have attended several Congresses and usually attend those that pertain to liturgy and spirituality. Richard Cheri's workshops are always dynamic. His musical directing style is one that can be easily translated into leading a small worship group such as a prayer group or non-liturgical worship event, into prayer through song. He was not used for liturgy this year. Even though I participated in the choir for one of the liturgies, I can say from first-hand experience that his style of bringing the assembly into the worship experience is unparalleled. Anyone who can have an entire arena on its feet, hands raised in prayer, singing and actively participating, needs more attention. His method can be translated into leading small and/or non-liturgical groups into prayer and worship through song. about it!

I notice the need for more Spanish speaking presenters. I wanted to recommend the following person as a possible Spanish speaking presenter for 2006: Fr. Bruce Nieli, CSP, of St. Patrick's Church in Memphis, Tenn. Fr. Bruce is fluent in Spanish and a dynamic speaker. He would certainly make an excellent presenter. Aside from presiding at our parish's Annual St. Anne Novena for many years, he and Fr. Domingo Rodriguez were the presiders at our Annual Novena when our parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2001. Fr. Bruce travels extensively throughout the U.S. spreading the Word of God. Hopefully you will consider him as a presenter for 2006.

Hi, I want to know if I could order a video/DVD/taping of the Saturday evening Young Adult Mass at the Arena with Fr. Tony Ricard and the Sunday morning mass. If so, how? Thanks, we had a "full-filled" time.

If I read the website correctly, Fr. Joseph Girzone was a guest speaker at the Los Angeles Congress at the Anaheim Convention Center approximately 5 or 6 years ago.

The Religious Education Congress is sponsored by
The Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese
Office of Religious Education

Comments for Congress 2006

The Religious Education Congress is sponsored by The Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese Office of Religious Education

Comments for Congress 2006

The Religious Education Congress is sponsored by
The Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese
Office of Religious Education