"AWAKEN HOPE - SHOUT JUBILEE" is the theme of this year's Religious Education Congress in April and it's an event people can find out more about via the Internet.

"Our web site offers an overall view of Congress 2000," said Adrian Whitaker, Congress coordinator in the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education. "Having this information on-line is an added convenience for all of our delegates, for anyone interested in finding out more about Congress."

Launched in 1996, the web site is located at http://congress.la archdiocese.org [later to become archive.recongress.org]. Designed by Chris Krause, consultant for the Religious Education Congress, the site features descriptions, photos and stories of past congresses; a detailed listing of dates, times, speakers, workshop topics and other information for Congress 2000; and a variety of links to related Internet sites.

A newly added feature on the site allows secure on-line registration for Congress 2000 with the use of a major credit card.

"We used to get a lot of calls from people asking what Congress is all about or from others who wanted to know how to register," said Whitaker. "This web site can answer all their questions and save a lot of time for everyone."

Dubbed the "nation's largest gathering of Roman Catholics" drawing as many as 37,000 people -- the annual Religious Education Congress is open to all interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, growing in their ministry or enriching their spirituality. Congress 2000 will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center April 7-9, preceded by "Youth Day" on April 6.

Sponsored by the Office of Religious Education, Congress 2000 will offer more than 200 workshops (including English, Spanish and Vietnamese), addressing subjects ranging from Jubilee themes to liturgical topics to the Catholic pro-life movement. Daily liturgies and Saturday and Sun day morning keynote talks with also be presented.

In addition, Congress 2000 will present more than 200 exhibit booths, featuring music, religious art, publishing houses, educational institutions and numerous others. Free lunchtime are evening entertainment will highlight a variety of music styles, from Caribbean to contemporary Christian.

The registration fees for Congress 2000 are $50 per person through Feb. 20 or $60 thereafter. The registration cost covers admission to all workshops, exhibits, concerts and liturgies.

For additional information, to order Congress 2000 Registration Guidebooks, or for on-line registration, go to http://recongress.org. Information is also available by calling (213) 637-7346.

Copyright 2000 The Tidings -- February 4, 2000
photo by Maria Torres