The Religious Education Congress is
sponsored by
The Los Angeles Catholic
Archdiocese
Office of Religious Education
Share your experiences or ask questions about the Religious Education Congress. We'd like to know what you think. Your comments and our replies will be posted for others to share.
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Name:
Michelle
Date: March 8, 2010
Comments
I sent in my registration months ago and have not yet received my tickets. What do we do if we do not receive them in time for Congress?
Reply
If you don't receive Congress tickets before you leave for the weekend, you can check in at the Will Call window at the Registration area to see if they were returned to us for some reason. Will Call at Congress is available Thursday evening, March 18, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., and on each of the days of Congress beginning at 8 a.m.
Name:
Josette
Date: February 21, 2010
Comments
Just an observation:
After years of attending Congress, we have over 40,000 to 50,000 Catholics and some non-Catholics attending
Congress, but for some reason or another it seems as though the food concessions forget that on
Fridays we observe the “no meat only fish," but there is never fish to buy at Congress. But you’ll see plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers etc. I am curious to see if the
Congress organizers can pass this along to the Anaheim Convention managers for this year’s event. It always bothered me; so this I choose to mention and hopefully something will be done about it.
God Bless,
See you all @ Congress!!!
Reply
Yes, every year we do inform the food providers of our event and food preferences, but ultimately it is up to them as to what they serve.
This year, it turns out that Friday, March 19 is a solemnity -- the Feast of St. Joseph. Therefore, we are allowed to eat meat on the Friday of Congress.
Name:
Alba
Date: February 17, 2010
Comments
It has been a week since the tickets were supposed to be mailed out and I still have not received them. I would like to know if all of my paperwork is in order or if there is a reason why I have not received my tickets.
Reply
Yes, tickets started to be mailed out February 9th. Please know that we do not mail them out all at once. They go out in the order that the registrations were received. (We begin with number 1 and then move on.) Please realize that it might take a week or two before you receive your tickets.
Name: John
Date: February 16, 2010
Comments
How about a gently used shoe collection for Haiti?
Reply
If you're looking for a way to help the people of Haiti, following the country's earthquake disaster, there are a few Orange County efforts underway.
Name: Lois
Date: January 15, 2010
Comments
I am unable to find confirmation of my registration and for my husband. We sent in registration my mail. Can you please confirm receipt of our registration form? thank you very much.
Reply
As a benefit of online registration we offer email confirmations when your credit card is charged and when your registration is processed. I'm sorry, there is no confirmation -- other than your tickets (and your deposited check) -- for those who mail in registrations. Tickets will be mailed after February 10, 2010.
Name: Christine Kudija
Date: January 12, 2010
Comments
Christine Kudija
perennial Congress Choir alto & groupie
Name: Jenni L Hooker
Date: January 10, 2010
Comments
As an older ex-ballet/modern/jazz dancer, is there a way for me to participate in the dance production itself?
Name: Diane Stocum
Date: December 14, 2009
Comments
Please consider having Michael Mangan invited to the RE Congress for 2011.
I just realized that he was not scheduled for 2010. This man writes lots of
music that is very suitable for parish use. It can be used with folk type
groups, and also may be used for more traditional congregations. I went to one
of his workshops in 2009 and learned of his music. I now use his music at my
parish with my young people's choir. Because of it's simplicity and
versatility I am able to teach his stuff to my "older generation population",
and they sing along!!!
We need to have more modern music if we want to keep our younger people involved
in church; otherwise these building will be empty....
Sincerely,
Diane (one who's been coming to conference for years now)
Name: JT Andrade
Date: November 20, 2009
Comments
In order to volunteer for Youth Day, will I need to have a Avenue LifeScan?
Reply
In order to volunteer for Youth Day you must be able to show that you have gone through all of your dioceses Child Protectionpolicies. For example, if you are from Los Angeles, you must have been fingerprinted and VIRTUS trained. If you are from outside the Los Angeles Archdiocese, then check with your diocesan office to see what their procedures/guidelines require.
Name:
Juniel Butler
Date: November 21, 2009
Comments
I have the same concern as Martine Ramos:
African-American presenters scheduled concurrently. Thanks for your
explanation. Further, it will be a challenge for me to make my selection
between the Jazz and the Nigerian Liturgy.
Name: Martine Ramos
Date: November 4, 2009
Comments
I just looked over the schedule for the 2010 Congress. It seems that quite a few of the African-American presenters are scheduled concurrently. Is there any way this can be adjusted? We need to attend as many multicultural events as possible, particularly music.
Reply
Dear Martine,
Thank you for your comment. We did some research into your concerns and found the following. African-American speakers are scheduled as follows:
Period 1 - 1
Period 2 - 4
Period 3 - 1
Period 4 - 1
Period 5 - 2
Period 6 - 4
Period 7 - 2
Period 8 - 3
If you want to attend a workshop by African-American speakers only, you could register this way. Period 6, by the way, is the only session in which two African-American speakers will use music in their workshop. Some of the speakers are slotted in a particular time and date due to the speakers travel and speaking schedules outside of Congress and which we have no control over. If you are looking for other multicultural presentations, you can do so by looking at our topical listing for additional options as well.
I hope that this information is helpful to you.
Paulette Smith, Congress Event Coordinator
Name: Beverly Franco
Date: November 2, 2009
Comments
Last year I wound up taking Metro-Link to the Anaheim station from Union Station and then the bus which dropped me off right in front of the Convention Center. I plan on doing that again this next year. In my wait for the bus back to the Metro-Link station, a very interesting and invigorating conversation was held with two of the presenters, one from Atlanta and one from Ohio and myself. Like old friends chatting, what a pleasure and it would have been missed if I had driven and had to search out my car, and endure the freeway.
Looking forward to another great experience.
Name: Mary Lopez
Date: October 8, 2009
Comments
I would love to see Jason Evert back again in 2010, he was great!
Name:
Wojtek
Date: October 7, 2009
Comments
I checked the website for ordering of the recordings from previous Congresses and realized that it cost over $10 (with mailing) for each talk. As a result I did not order anything.
Would it be possible to make the talks available at a website for download in mp3 format. It is much cheaper, easier and faster. It would make the materials much more accessible. It is straightforward technically, if the recording is available on a CD.
Name:
Joan
Date: September 1, 2009
Comments
I have always wondered why the food vendors do not sell only NON meat meals on Friday. It would certainly show a fabulous Catholic witness if we observed abstinence during Lent! How sad that so many people give up their principles when we are gathered at such a large Catholic event.
Reply
We do remind vendors about offering non-meat meals on Friday, but we have no control over their menus.
Name: Stefanie Battaglia
Date: August 21, 2009
Comments
Please bring THE THIRSTING to L.A. Youth Day 2010 - awesome band!
Name:
Camisa
Date: August 3, 2009
Comments
Please bring in Dr. Lou Whitaker, principal of Pope John Paul School, as a speaker. (Contact info: 4341 W Homosassa Trail, Lecanto, FL 34461-9106; phone 352.746.2020). She has been a presenter for NCEA for many years and is is extremely informative.
Name: Brenda
Date: July 31, 2009
Comments
Please bring Matthew Kelly to
Congress in 2010!!!
Name: Deacon Mike Eisenbeiss, Ph.D.
Date: July 28, 2009
Comments
How do you submit a workshop idea? I would like to do a workshop on Celebrate Recovery-Catholic Style which is a spin-off of of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. This is a 12-step program combined with the 8-beatitudes in helping people get over past hang-ups, hurts and addictions. We have more than 45 people involved on a weekly basis with many of them wanting to become Catholic. There are many Protestant churches offering the program but I think we are the first Catholic Church to do so.
Reply
You can submit speaker and workshop ideas to Jan Pedroza, the Congress Program Coordinator, at .
Name: Bob
Date: June 30, 2009
Comments
When do you anticipate making the hotel list for 2010 available? Thanks!
Reply
We are now just making contracts. We should begin posting hotel information sometime in July/August 2009.
Name: Paulette Byrne
Date: June 8, 2009
Comments
I would like to Theresa Rowe as
a speaker for an upcoming Congress. (Her website is
www.shapedbyfaith.com.)
I have attended the Congress every year for the last 20 years and
look forward to it as my annual spiritual mecca. I don't recall ever
seeing a speaker on 'Faith & Fitness'. With as sedentary as our
society has become I believe what she has to say is very timely &
would be well received. Plus her testimony regarding her own battle
with heart health issues is very inspiring. I hope you will
seriously consider her.
Thank You & Blessings!
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.
Reply
You can find online versions of the Guidebook (in three different formats) at www.RECongress.org/2009/guidebook.htm. The recording order page is found at www.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?
Reply
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 www.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.
Reply
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!
Reply
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.
See comments for Congress 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
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