For many years, the liturgies celebrated at the Religious Education Congress have been noted for their ability to embrace a variety of cultural styles, while evoking a spirit of both reverence and – well, celebration.

At Congress 2001, the schedule of liturgies – both eucharistic celebrations and prayer services – again reflects the diversity of the church. From year to year, some styles are substituted for others, which then return in later years (the Jazz liturgy, for example, returns this year). The goal is to provide participants the choice to attend a style of worship they feel comfortable with, and, hopefully, the opportunity to grow through experiencing a different (but equally reverent) form of worship.

The eucharistic liturgies to be celebrated at various venues around the Anaheim Convention Center include:

 • Friday, Feb. 16 (5:15 p.m.): Two "general" character liturgies, with Franciscan Father Richard Rohr and Father Brian Massingale presiding; Byzantine, Father Alexei Smith presiding; Hispanic; Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala of Los Angeles (and the San Gabriel Region) presiding; and Jazz, Jesuit Father J-Glenn Murray presiding.

 • Saturday, Feb. 17 (5:15 p.m.): A general character liturgy, Father Richard Fragomeni presiding; Asian, Father Luis “Chito” Tagle presiding; Healing, Dominican Father Jim Marchionda presiding; Hispanic-Mariachi, Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia of Mexico presiding; Nigerian-African American, Msgr. Ray East presiding; and Young Adult, Father Joe Kempf presiding.

 • Sunday, Feb. 18: Morning (8:15 a.m.) and. Afternoon (3:30 p.m.) Masses, with Bishop Tod Brown of Orange and Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles presiding,  respectively.

Additionally, the following prayer services will be celebrated:

 • Liturgy of the Hours, Friday, 5:15 p.m., led by Nathan Mitchell.

 • Liturgy of the Hours, Saturday, 5:15 p.m.; led by Tricia Hoyt.

 • Lamentation, Saturday, 9:30 p.m., led by Father Jim Clarke.

Music will be provided for the liturgies by, among others, Tom Kendzia, Gary Daigle, Marty Haugen, Bob Hurd, Rudy Lopez, Val and Frank Jansen, David  Haas, Mauricio Centennio, Richard Cheri, Jeannie Cotter and Father Liam Lawton. John Flaherty will again direct the Congress Choir for the closing liturgies on Sunday.

A chapel within the Anaheim Convention Center will be open for prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily. The Sacrament of reconciliation will be offered on Friday and Saturday, I 1:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. both days at a site to be designated.