Name: Mary
Date: March 3, 2009
Comments

I just finished taking your online evaluation and found it was not as thorough as the written one. For instance, the section on Congress liturgies allowed only one overall mark rather than a mark for each of the various elements (homily, music, liturgical movement) that the written form allows. (I’ve already sent a separate email message regarding the disastrous Friday night Contemplative Liturgy I marked poor – a first for me.) The online survey also indicated, at the start, that there would be a “Comments” section at the end for expanding on areas marked excellent. However, the only section I found that allowed comments was called “Suggestions for improvement,” which didn’t suggest commenting on what’s already excellent. I reached the end of the survey before I realize that comments on excellent workshops should have been made back in the section marked “Suggestions for improvement.” Very odd. So, below are my comments on my excellent workshops this year:

• 118 – I look forward to Patrick Mullen each year – he brings the scripture to life

• 227 – Father Welbers surprised me with his historical and geographic knowledge of St. Paul. He proved to be truly enlightening.

• 318 – Father Tad made what could have been a dry and intellectual topic clear and lucid. I learned so much from this workshop that my mind can hardly hold it all. I came away with far, far, far more than expected.

• 425 – Father Spitzer is so passionate about his topic regarding physician assisted suicide that it was contagious. He made me realize, more than ever before, the implications of these laws, especially their impact on the poor and marginalized.

• 511 – Father Joe Kempf was a joy and a delight. I wasn’t expecting the workshop this was, but ended up delighted with it, nevertheless. I even ended up purchasing some of his books for my grandchildren.

• Friday Lunch Arena – Jesse Manibusan blew me away, and I’m in my 60s!

• Saturday Lunch Arena – John Angotti plays music that touches our hearts (my husband’s and mine) and is always a joy to listen to.

• Saturday Celtic Liturgy – beautifully prayerful – everything was excellent and it is still a part of my day to day life as we were invited to write out prayer intentions before the Mass, some of which were mentioned during the Prayer of the Faithful. Upon exiting, we were invited to draw an intention card from a basket and pray for that intention throughout Lent. I have the card I drew on my bathroom mirror and pray each day for the intention written thereon.

Thank you, again, for an overall excellent Congress. I’m looking forward to 2010.

Name: Jose Robledo Jr.
Date: March 1, 2009
Comments

I was reading the book for RE Congress we received, and I wanted to congratulate you on a successful and beautiful event. I have never been to RE Congress, but have heard many good things. So I decided to attend this huge spectacular event and it is was very exciting. I will consider coming next year and maybe Volunteering for this event.

Once again, I congratulate you on a successful and blessed event and much continued success.

Name: Carol Sassie
Date: March 4, 2009
Comments

Congress was great. I would like to order tapes from the sessions I attended but cannot find my Guidebook. Please let me know if this is possible and how.

You can find online versions of the Guidebook (in three different formats) at archive.recongress.org/2009/guidebook.htm. The recording order page is found at archive.recongress.org/tapes.htm

Name: Paula
Date: March 3, 2009
Comments

Hello, I heard the music at the Closing Liturgy was wonderful. Do you know who performed?

There were a variety of performers: Tony Alonso and ValLimar Jansen were the cantors, there were a number of soloists on songs, John Flaherty was director of the band and Congress Choir, and Josh Blakesley was there to perform this year's Congress Theme Song. The worship aid appears in the Program Book and is downloadable at archive.recongress.org/2009/guidebook.htm.

Name: Laurie
Date: March 3, 2009
Comments

I thought the PowerPoint presentation at Friday's opening event was fantastic. Can it be purchased? Also, the workshops on Social Justice issues, e.g. Jim Wallis and Fr. Bryan Massingale were superb.

Name: hsyg_stjoes
Date: March 2, 2009
Comments

The buses we chartered were charged $20 parking fee, however there is no mention of this fee in the handbook.

Unfortunately, buses are equated with Youth Day, and we give chaperones that information. We'll include that information in next year's Registration Guidebook.

Name: Jack
Date: March 1, 2009
Comments

What a wonderful experience! Congress is the religious peak experience that helps sustain us throughout the rest of the year. One suggestion: Every year we leave with a plastic name tag holder that could easily be recycled or used again. Please have a place to put them for re-use. Also please have recycling areas for guidebooks and liturgy books. Thank you!

That's a very good idea. We'll look into a Congress "green" crew. We would invited you to help, but you didn't leave your email address.

Name: Mike
Date: March 1, 2009
Comments

The link will be available shortly at archive.recongress.org/survey.

Name: Cathy Montoya
Date: February 26, 2009
Comments

Arena (and Hall B) sessions are listed on our Updates page Speaker session locations can be found in the Program Book, available in online format at archive.recongress.org/2009/guidebook.htm

Name: Carla
Date: March 1, 2009
Comments

Name: Mary
Date: February 27, 2009
Comments

Our 5 p.m. Eucharistic Liturgies, evening prayer and evening concerts are open to Congress attendees and their guests. It is the day events -- workshops, lunchtime entertainment, and the Exhibit Hall -- that requires registration for admission. The Exhibit Hall is just one of the many benefits of registration.

Name: Cathy Montoya
Date: February 26, 2009
Comments

Arena (and Hall B) sessions are listed on our Updates page Speaker session locations can be found in the Program Book, available in online format at archive.recongress.org/2009/guidebook.htm

Name: Chris
Date: February 25, 2009
Comments

It was a limited time offer. Once they closed the page, we removed the link.

Name: Cindy
Date: February 24, 2009
Comments

Our afternoon Eucharistic Liturgies, evening concerts and evening prayer (including Taizé) is open to Congress attendees and their guests. It is the day events -- workshops, lunchtime entertainment, and the Exhibit Hall -- that requires registration for admission.

Name: Maureen
Date: February 23, 2009
Comments

Congress registration gets you availability to eight sessions of workshops, three days of lunchtime entertainment, two evening concerts -- and the Exhibit Hall -- all for just $70, which is certainly less than most conferences. The Exhibit Hall is an added benefit to Congress attendees. We don't offer day rates or Exhibit Hall-only admissions.

Name: Susan
Date: February 17, 2009
Comments

Yes, Congress registration is available Friday, Saturday or Sunday -- all at one-rate: It's $70 whether you are there for just one workshop or stay all three days. Registration gives you access to workshops, all entertainment and the Hall A Exhibit area. The benefit to pre-registration is being able to choose your workshops. With on-site registration you will be given Arena (English) workshops or Hall B (Spanish) workshops.

Name: Bob Naglich
Date: February 9, 2009
Comments

Yes, those dates are confirmed now.

Name: Dorothy Giammona
Date: February 7, 2009
Comments

Several of us registered by mail. One in our party has not gotten his workshop tickets, what happens now??

You can email the Congress office at and see if the tickets have been returned, or if we have mailed to an incorrect (or incomplete) address.

Name: Barbara
Date: February 7, 2009
Comments

I want to know which Mass (Liturgy) will be held in the Arena on Friday night, Feb. 27, 2009.
Thank you, Barbara

It will be the Hawaiian Liturgy. You can find the 2009 liturgy schedule on our updates page at archive.recongress.org/2009/updates.htm.

Name: Carrie
Date: February 6, 2009
Comments

Matt Maher's site says he is also doing a Saturday evening concert, but I don't see it listed on Congress schedule. When and where is it going to be held?

There are a number of concurrent events and gatherings during Congress. However, if it is not Congress-sponsored event, it won't be listed in our Program Book.

Name: Buster
Date: December 10, 2008
Comments

Any tentative date yet for the 2010 Congress?

Dates are March 18 (Youth Day) & March 19-21.

Paulette Smith, Congress Event Coordinator

Name: Bridget Longoria
Date: November 26, 2008
Comments

I’m curious to know; in the future will we be able to download the workshops on our iPods in addition to buying the recording? Thank you for your time.

We have been looking into that possibility. It's only recently we've transitioned from cassettes to CDs!

Name: Pati La Belle
Date: November 14, 2008
Comments

Dear RE Congress Coordinators,
I would not recommend doing business with Ramada Limited Suites. I just got off the phone with them and although they have rooms available they would not honor the RE Congress rate. Someone should call them and explain what the guaranteed “rate through 1/26 means.” They tried to tell me that because Congress is after 1/26 the rate is higher. I tried to explain that it means that the rate is good if you make your reservation before 1/26 (if rooms are available) but they just weren’t getting it. They did have rooms available but are charging $104 instead of the $79 rate in the Congress book. If my chance you are able to straighten them out on this please let me know. I don’t have a lot of money and would like to stay there at that rate if possible.

Hi Pati,
I think I have an answer for you concerning the Ramada Limited Suites. I think it comes down to what the front desk miscommunicated to you. What appears to have happened was that the room block we contracted with the Ramada had already been filled when you called to get rooms. Because the block was already filled our Congress rate no longer applied because they were offering you rooms outside of our block. It has nothing to do with our event being held after January 26th. If you are still interested in the hotel, they informed me that they have 6 rooms remaining in the block. I hope that this helps to describe what I think happened.

Paulette Smith, Congress Event Coordinator

Name: Maria
Date: November 17, 2008
Comments

My husband and I are Sunday school teachers, and we would like to attend the sessions at RECongress this year. We have a 7-year-old daughter, can we take her along with us to the sessions? Or is there any group of kids, activities, or child care available at the Convention? Appreciate your suggestion so both of us can attend the RECongress.