Religious Education Congress 2005

I loved this year's RECongress, as always. Thank you!!! PLEASE bring back Ceili Rain and Steve Angrisano for 2008!

Name: Michael Marien
Date: April 30, 2007
Comments

Dear Jan:

I received today a most surprising gift from you – my journal, which I had left on a bench outside one of the hotels at the Congress. Imagine my disbelief when it made its way up to Canada and back into my hands! I don’t know who the thoughtful person was who turned it in, but many thanks to him or her. And many thanks for your kindness and thoughtfulness – after all, I only had my name in it, and you took the time to search your database and send it my way.

The RECongress will always hold a special place in my heart, not for great speakers or wonderful liturgies, but for amazing people like the person who found my journal, and you, Jan.

Continued Blessings to you and all the fantastic people who worked on Congress 2007!

Michael Marien
Leduc, Alberta, Canada

Name: Alfredia Johnson RN
Date: April 13, 2007
Comments

This was the first year I attended RECONGRESS and I am still on fire!!! I look forward to not only attending but participating, I would like to be notified of the scheduled choir rehearsals in advance so that I may express my gratitude for God's blessings through song and possibly liturgical dance!

Name:
Date: March 26, 2007
Comments

LOL – that's funny :D

Reply

Our theme for Youth Day 2007 was "Live Out Love," thus, LOL.
Youth Day links and photos can be found on our Youth Day 2007 page and our MySpace/YouthDay page.

Name: Marlin Filipek
Date: March 15, 2007
Comments

I always enjoy the evening liturgies and particularly the Black Culture mass. I was very pleased to Rev. J-Glenn Murray, S.J. as the celebrant as I have been an admirer of his presentations for many years. However, I felt he crossed the line of good liturgical sensitivity when he stopped the "flow of the liturgy" at the Our Father when the assembly had joined hands and instructed us to raise our hands. I was not surprised because I know that is the posture he recommends in the Cleveland Diocese, but as a visitor to our area and a "servant of the people" continuing with the "flow of the liturgy" would have been acceptable.

Name: Julie Ashmore
Date: October 18, 2006
Comments

Hi,

We had a wonderful time at the Congress. The general mass on Friday was so uplifting. I think it would be great if the Congress were more family friendly and offered activities for children, so whole families could attend. And/or it would be great if Youth Day was expanded to include jr. high kids as well. Our family has traveled from northern California for the past two years to attend Congress together. Fortunately, my brother lives close by, so he can watch our kids, but I know of other families who might like to do Disney and the Congress but don't have a place for the kids to go – just a thought.

Also, please consider streamlining the check-in process – can't the Congress ticket holders/name tags be mailed ahead of time to avoid the bottle neck we experienced of already having registered but having to wait in a long line just to get the plastic thing to put our tickets in?

Keep up the great work!

Name: Kathy Neal
Date: March 15, 2007
Comments

Congress was great. I discovered Matt Maher last year and was thrilled that he would be participating in the lunchtime concert on Friday and the Young Adult Mass on Saturday. I bought a Josh Blakesley CD, which I love, and hope that he may be able to participate in Congress again next year. The Saturday Night Concert was amazing with all the most amazing musicians. The glo-sticks added to the atmosphere. I continue to enjoy attending the workshops of Terry Hershey, Sr. Anne Smollin, and Fr. Tony Ricard. I wanted to submit my Evaluation Form, but forgot. I wish you had the option of filling them out online.

Name: Jan Haines
Date: March 11, 2007
Comments

An enjoyable spirit-filled weekend, but what's with the liturgical dancing, inclusive language and invitation for all to the Eucharistic table without the mention of repentance/reconciliation? I love my Catholic faith but the whole message felt watered down. Really enjoyed the Sacred Space!

Name: Terri
Date: March 10, 2007
Comments

What happened to all the comments?? I would assume someone would have something to say! This was an awesome event.

Name: Lynette Castiglione
Date: March 9, 2007
Comments

I really liked Congress, as usual. However this was my first Youth Day and I felt it was a little disorganized. Meaning if you were seated for a workshop in the Arena you got into Mass, otherwise you didn't get in. Also I feel speakers Matt Kelley and Mark Hart were good except for their comments about the priesthood. It felt like recruitment instead of a choice. I felt like they were preaching this and Matt Kelley was a little intimated to the students as well. The best part was Jessie Manibusan, of course. You should let him teach a session during Youth Day.

As a youth leader in my first Youth Day, it was a great experience. However, the only thing that turned me off was the recruiting of priests and nuns. I don't think that was necessary.

Name: Anne
Date: March 8, 2007
Comments

I loved Congress this year, as I always do. Thank you for all you do to make this event a wonderful and uplifting event for all! The speakers and workshops were all amazing, and the music was so prayerful and inspiring. To experience the music of David Haas, Marty Haugen, Tony Alonso, Donna Peña, and Frank and ValLimar Jansen in one weekend is worth the price of the weekend alone!

I know that logistics for an event like this are complex. I would like to make one little suggestion though – could the doors be opened to the Arena earlier for the opening sessions on Friday and Saturday? I know that there are probably last minute rehearsals and other things going on, but when the doors open as late as they do, it becomes disruptive to the event itself. We were still trying to find seats midway through the morning praise on Saturday and folks were still filing in as Fr Massingale began to speak. It's difficult when the venue opens at 7:45 a.m. and morning praise begins at 8, so getting folks in earlier would help.

Thank you again for all that you do to make this event happen!

Reply

Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much for your very kind comments concerning Congress 2007. We are happy that you were with us. We will follow up with your concerns about the Disneyland tickets and see if there is anything that can be done. Take care and we look forward to your participation with us in 2008.

Peace,
Paulette Smith
Congress Event Coordinator

Name: Mary
Date: March 7, 2007
Comments

Greetings, next year is the year that we will bring our teens to Youth Day. We're coming from far Northern California. Are there any churches in the area that would provide parish housing? We're happy with gym floors!

Reply

This link on the Diocese of Orange web site has a listing of schools in the Anaheim area – www.rcbo.org/schools/north.htm. You might start out by contacting them.

Name: Amy
Date: March 6, 2007
Comments

I've tried to order tapes online for this year's Congress but it seems like I can't find the link for the 2007 workshops. Can you help me? I would like to purchase Terry Hershey CDs as well as Megan McKenna CDs. I don't know if I am just missing something or if it just hasn't been updated. Please help......

Also please invite Dr. Wicks back. His talk was great. One of the best that I have ever attended in my many years of attending Congress.

Reply

The link is available at archive.recongress.org/tapes.htm. There are even a listing of the most popularly purchased sessions.

Name: Kathy Hanley
Date: March 6, 2007
Comments

Hi there! I attended the Congress this past weekend and it was GREAT! However, I have one complaint with regard to Disneyland Tickets.

I bought my ticket to Disney through your web site at the date so that I would get a discount. The discount was great $11 and I was very pleased. However, with the charge and mailing it came to $62.95. When I got to the gate to go in I looked at the prices and they were $63.00! So I had only saved myself a nickel. I feel that was a waste of my time and credit card charges. I am not sure if you are aware of this so I thought you should know. The company isn't saving people that much money. A nickel is a nickel yes, but the hassle to buy it on line, when I could of just gone to the gate. I will also write to the company that my ticket was purchased from.

Thank you for listening, and outside of that the congress was great. Msgr. Ray East is THE BEST!! along with Terry Hershey! Keep them coming back! It works!

Name: Julie
Date: March 6, 2007
Comments

Please let me know the information of the song sung during communion on Youth Day @ RECongress 2007. I could only remember a few words of it " this is the air that I breathe...and I'm desperate for You. I'm lost without You...." This song touched me deeply. Thank you.

Reply

The song was entitled "Breathe" and can be found in Spirit and Song 2, song #382. Spirit and Song can be purchased through www.ocp.org or on www.spiritandsong.com.

John Rinaldo
Consultant for Youth Ministry and Confirmation
Office of Religious Education

Name: Jane Leung
Date: March 5, 2007
Comments

Hello to all the organizers of Congress 2007:

This was my first Congress and I hope to come every year from now on. I was baptized only last year after going through RCIA and this past weekend was the best one of my life!

I met so many supportive people (teachers, sisters and brothers) and was amazed by the fellowship and love at all the liturgies and workshops that I attended. Your staff and workshop leaders deserve all the credit for making the Congress so spiritually fulfilling for all.

Sincerely yours,
Jane Leung

Name: Laura Torres
Date: March 5, 2007
Comments

Is it possible to do our evaluation of the Congress online? Its tough to find the time to reflect on the workshops and liturgies when its so fast-paced during the weekend?

Reply

It's not online ... yet, but we are trying a different way to process the evaluation forms this year.

Name: Anthony
Date: March 5, 2007
Comments

I went to Youth Day 2007 in Anaheim. I really like the music, but I didn't have a chance to buy the CDs. Can I ask for the name of all the bands and musical artists that played on Youth Day (March 1, 2007)?

Reply

Our featured Youth Day artists included:
Jesse Manibusan - www.jessemanibusan.com, also on spiritandsong.com
Curtis Stephan - www.razedrecords.com, also on spiritandsong.com
Sarah Hart - www.sarahhartmusic.com , also on spiritandsong.com
Jacob and Matthew - www.jacobandmatt.com
Tony Melendez - www.tonymelendez.com
Righteous B - www.righteousb.com

Name: Marlene
Date: March 3, 2007
Comments

re: Youth Day
When we asked for directions from workers in the burgundy blazers, we were either given no vocal response (shrug of the shoulders) or an "I don't know" and go ask the other person down the hall. We were constantly walking from one person to another. Very frustrating!

Reply

The people in the burgundy jackets are Convention Center staff and, as you've discovered, not all have been informed about RECongress events and information. The best source of RECongress information are the people with the color ribbons. Keep in mind that our Congress information booth is always located in Hall A.

Name: David
Email: irtrung@gmail.com
Date: March 1, 2007
Comments

Is there a list of all the songs, including those by the young singers and choir, from Youth Day '07?

Name: Loreen
Date: February 27, 2007
Comments

Will there be a FREE bus between the Hyatt Regency Hotel & the Convention Center again this year? If so, what will be the schedule?
Many Thanks,
Loreen

Reply

Yes, there will be shuttle service again this year. You can check with the hotel front desk or the shuttle driver for scheduled service times.

Name: Ken
Date: February 26, 2007
Comments

May I bring my 5-year-old to the Saturday night concert?

Reply

Yes, you may as long as he or she does not get bored and fuss! I’m sure you will handle this situation if it should arise!
Take care and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Peace,
Paulette Smith
Congress Event Coordinator

Name: Hung
Date: February 26, 2007
Comments

The PrayerJAM on Saturday night looks to be a pretty awesome event. Am I permitted to video tape it?

Reply

Dear Hung,

In response to your question concerning the videotaping of the Prayer Jam on Saturday night, please note that you would need to receive permission from the sponsoring group, which is OCP/Oregon Catholic Press. Please contact Kerry York or Diann Bruno at the OCP Booth at Congress. Booth numbers 401, 403, 405, 500. 502, 504.

Paulette Smith
Congress Event Coordinator

Name: Ray
Date: February 26, 2007
Comments

I like to converse with the Master upon arrival. In which room may find his EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE? Thank you in advance. Ray

Reply

Eucharistic Adoration will again be part of our "Sacred Space" at Congress. Though this year it will find a new location – on the , though it will be in a new location – Convention 304 on the 3rd floor. Our Sacred Space will also offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a labyrinth, and meditative music and inspirational art.

Name: George
Date: February 24, 2007
Comments

There are not (and never will be) enough restaurants / food vendors with meatless entrees for 20,000 people at Congress. How about asking the Cardinal for a dispensation for abstaining from eating meat on March 2nd for Congress attendees?

Reply

While the Cardinal does not grant dispensations for the reasons noted, our office would simply encourage the fellow to do his best to abstain. If he is unable to do so, he can always observe abstinence on another day.

Eileen Bonaduce, Cardinal's Secretary
Office of the Archbishop of Los Angeles

Name: Lisa
Date: February 24, 2007
Comments

How many participants do you anticipate at the 2007 Congress?

Reply

We do keep statistics on Congress. For Youth Day we expect nearly 13,000 students, and with chaperones totaling over 15,000. For Congress we have over 21,000 pre-registered. For the four-day total we will have over 40,000. You can find this year's updated statistics at archive.recongress.org/2007/stats.htm

Name: George
Date: February 24, 2007
Comments

Name: Louise
Date: February 23, 2007
Comments

I have a few extra tickets. Do you know anyone that I could share them with?

Reply

Youth Day tickets? You can contact Mike Norman, Coordinator for Youth Day, at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org

Congress tickets?

If you will be going to Congress – you may drop off extra workshop tickets at the Registration booth in the Prefunction Lobby at Congress. They will be used at the Ticket Exchange window.

If you won't be attending Congress – a "few extra tickets" has no value if it doesn't come with the name badge. If it's a full set of tickets, they can be passed along to friend.

Name: Jodi Gilligan
Date: February 1, 2007
Comments

Last year I attended the LA Religious Education Congress and plan to do so this year also. I loved almost everything about the Congress. I was very disappointed that on Friday during Lent the Convention Center did not offer more options of items with no meat. This is a Catholic conference and I would assume you are hoping Catholics attend. I did see one meal option of salmon with potato and vegetable but not all people can eat seafood. This year Friday March 2nd is also in Lent. Please help all Catholics adhere to the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat that is to be observed by us all. Sad to say when you come to a Conference to enhance and grow in your Catholic faith that you are forced go hungry or go against Church teaching. I would think the LA Religious Education Congress should have great pull with the Anaheim Convention Center to help guide them in food offering for the day.

Reply

I can certainly make a request to the vendors that supply the food, but they are independent vendors that we have no control or contract with. I will make a request that there be more than one option of non meat items, but cannot make any promises. I will do my best.

Paulette Smith
Congress Event Coordinator

Name: TP
Date: January 5, 2007
Comments

I have a MAJOR concern about Youth Day. Even though the Guidebook requests that groups not reserve any seats in the Arena many chaperones do. I would like to know how aware your staff is of this prevailing problem and the intentions you have of taking care of it. It seems that each year this is overlooked and ignored.

NO ONE seems to respect the lines that form outside the Arena when groups arrive 1-2 hours early before doors open. Last year, we arrived 1 hour before at the barriers of the front door and were the 3rd group in line – once doors open, hundreds of people moved around, in front and between our group preventing us from getting in all together.

There are NEVER any Youth Day or Convention staff outside to monitor or direct people. No signs indicating that people must stay in line. None of the Convention staff persons are of any help.

It seems that groups find a way to "sneak in" other doors other than the main front ones before other groups get to the Arena, therefore forcing everyone else WHO STOOD IN LINE respectfully but were shoved past, to go to the alternative halls.

Name: Earl McLaughlin
Date: December 12, 2006
Comments

I'll be attending my eighth Congress, and I am disabled. For the first time I will need to have a personal care attendant (PCA) accompany me. Is the PCA allowed to attend sessions at no charge? Thank you.

Reply

If you need an attendant at Congress, we ask that only one attendant accompany you to workshops and other Congress events. If an attendant is to accompany you, it is important to mail your registration and payment – along with your attendant’s (no payment necessary) – in the same envelope with a brief note explaining the circumstance. It is essential that you register by January 5, 2007.

The distances between the Convention Center and surrounding hotels are quite large. However, the Convention Center has a free shuttle service to Convention Center buildings. If you would like to be scheduled for Convention Center-only workshops, please include a note with your registration card.

NOTE: The Convention Center does not provide wheelchairs. You may contact Alpha Drugs Pharmacy at either of their two locations in Anaheim: 1240 S. Magnolia, (714) 220-0373; or 515 S. Beach Blvd., (714) 821-8959.

If you have further concerns, please contact Jan Pedroza at 213-637-7352 or email her at jcpedroza@la-archdiocese.org

Name: Elaine
Date: November 1, 2006
Comments

I am looking around but can't find information about Disneyland discounted tickets. I recall reading about it last year - there was a deadline as to when you had to place your order. Thank you, Eliane

Reply

It's back! For a limited time (only through February 12, 2007) specially priced tickets can be ordered for One-Day & Multi-Day Disney Theme Park Tickets. Find information on our home page.

Name: Gina McCormick
Date: October 26, 2006
Comments

I have a couple of questions regarding Youth Day registration:

1. The info says that we should list 2 chaperones on our first registration form. Can one of those chaperones be a chaperone on an additional form or do the first 10 students have to have 2 chaperones not listed on other forms?

2. Our diocese requires 1 chaperone per 5 students, so we'll need 2 chaperones per form. If we have more chaperones than that, is that allowed or is there a maximum number of chaperones that we can bring?

Reply

There is no "maximum" number of chaperones to a group, and your own diocesan guidelines for chaperones already meet our requirement. If you were only bringing 10 youth we required you would need two chaperones. Your own diocesan guidelines ask for that automatically (since it's one chaperone for every five youth).

Mike Norman, Youth Day Coordinator

Name: Ellen
Date: October 18, 2006
Comments

My husband and I always love to attend Congress to grow in our faith and bring it back to our parish. We like to go to the Saturday night Young Adult Dance as we still fit in that category. Can you have more of a variety of good music at the Young Adult dance on Saturday night? This year we hope that you will have a Young Adult Dance with a wide selection of '60s to '90s non-rap music. Thank you and God Bless.

Reply

The best I can say, Ellen, is that the music is chosen by the DJ. Be sure to let him know what you would like played.

Mike Norman, Youth Day Coordinator

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

Comments for Congress 2007

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

Comments for Congress 2007

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