PRESS RELEASE
Office of Religious Education •
3424 Wilshire Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90010
For Immediate Release
| Date: Contact: Phone: Fax: |
November 3, 1998 Adrian Whitaker 213/637-7332 213/637-6574 |
"Lead with Eyes of Wisdom" - Religious Education Congress
20,000 to attend
LOS ANGELES -- The annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from February 12-14, 1999. This three day Congress, for adults, is the largest annually held catechetical event in the world, according to Congress Coordinator Adrian Whitaker, who anticipates over 20,000 delegates will attend.
"Lead with Eyes of Wisdom," says Sr. Edith Prendergast, Director of the Office of Religious Education, "is a daily invitation from God to draw from the deep wisdom within us and the wide wisdom beyond us. This calls us to claim our own power and wisdom, and it means listening to the still small voice, the whisper that can easily be lost in the whirlwind of busyness.
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony along with over 100 priests and bishops will welcome the 20,000 delegates from the United States, Canada, Poland, Ireland, Australia, and Jamaica. Approximately 130 distinguished speakers and Catholic theologians will give presentations in the 254 workshops covering all areas of religious education and catechetical leadership.
While a good portion of the Congress addresses Catholic issues such as biblical spirituality, catechesis, social justice, sacraments and liturgy, many of the 254 workshops will also speak to the issues we all face every day. A few topics, not specific to Catholics, include spirituality in a pluralistic culture, national, ethnic and religious hostilities, health and wellness, specialized ministry to youth, family relationships and parenting alone.
This year's speakers are local, national and international who have lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Latin America and Europe. Rev. Michael Himes will be this year's keynote speaker on Saturday morning, February 12 and Rev. J-Glenn Murray, will give a Keynote Address Sunday morning, February 14.
Some other noted speakers presenting workshops are Paula D'Arcy, Fr. Michael Crosby, Sr. Mary Margaret Funk, Dr. Robert Wicks, Fr. Michael Barren, Dr. Diana Hayes, Rev. Virgil Elizondo, and Michael Galligan-Stierle.
Special emphasis will be given to the Spanish speaking communities with Carmen Villegas giving a Keynote Address on Sunday morning, February 14. There will be 43 general workshops, two liturgical celebrations and a noon time concert, designed specifically with the Hispanic community's needs in mind.
The Congress continues to feature six general Vietnamese workshops throughout the three days and a Eucharistic celebration on Friday, February 12.
Thought provoking performances by acclaimed artists including the well known talented Marty Haugen, Dr. Lorenzo Florian, Fr. James Marchionda, and Donna Peņa. Additionally, delegates will experience two Los Angeles Congress premieres, on Friday evening Julie and Tim Smith will perform a Broadway musical, "Jubilee 2000," bringing 20 centuries of Christianity to life. This award-winning extravaganza is based on a book written by Robert Blair Kaiser. On Saturday evening, returning by popular demand, Fr. Richard Ho Lung & Friends will perform "lsaiah." This Caribbean opera depicts the life story of the greatest of Prophets. Both evening performances will be held in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center.
"Lead with Eyes of Wisdom" will conclude with Cardinal Roger Mahony celebrating the Eucharist Liturgy at 3:30 p.m., Sunday February 14.
For registration information, please contact Adrian Whitaker, at (213) 637-7346. Handicapped facilities are available.