CONGRESS 2009 THEME REFLECTION	See the Theme page
Love Unfolding ~ Igniting Our 'Yes'! Amor Revelador ~ Encendiendo nuestro ¡Sí!
Covenant Love poured out and at the heart of all creation continues to unfold, drawing us ever more profoundly into the embrace of a lavish God. This wondrous relationship, this love unbounded deepens and develops over time, grows through seasons of dark and light, always nudging us to remember and hold fast to the promise. Love unfolding is the way of Jesus, calling his disciples to "come and see" and now calling us into deeper friendship and interconnection with Him and with all of life. This bond of oneness, this fastening of the spirit to God sustains us on the path, generates and ignites a fresh energy and propels us to give voice to our “yes” anew. – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 2008 THEME REFLECTION
Lift Your Gaze ... See Anew! ¡Alza tu mirada ... Vuelve a mirar!
Our theme, "Lift Your Gaze ... See Anew!" nudges us to widen our horizons, bid farewell to whatever may cloud our vision or dim our spirits and glimpse again all the beauty within us and around us. Gazing with eyes of the heart we discover the divine spark at the center of all of creation and at the heart of all human experiences. The poet William Blake reminds us, “Unless the eye catch fire, God will not be seen.” Seeing anew, our eyes truly catch fire and we go forth to invite others to open up to the wisdom and liberation of “God’s sight” – to see beyond – to imagine a future filled with possibility. – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education	¡Alza tu mirada ... vuelve a mirar! Este tema nos motiva a ampliar nuestros horizontes, a mirar más allá de lo que vemos, a olvidarnos de las nubes que cubren nuestra visión y oscurecen o disturban nuestros espíritus. Además, nos hace entrever nuevamente toda la belleza que llevamos dentro y la que nos rodea. Con una mirada de amor fija, descubriremos la chispa divina que existe en el centro de la creación y en el corazón de todas las experiencias humanas. El poeta William Blake nos recuerda que: “Dios no será visto, si los ojos no capturan el ardor del fuego." Volviendo a mirar, nuestros ojos captan el fulgor y nos orientamos hacia los demás para poder abrir en ellos, horizontes de sabiduría y liberación que ofrece “la vista de Dios” – para ver más adelante – e imaginar un futuro lleno de posibilidades. – Hna. Edith Prendergast, RSC Directora, Oficina de Educación Religiosa
CONGRESS 2007 THEME REFLECTION
Stand in the Light Permanecer en la luz
Light poured out wraps all of creation in beauty, in warmth, in love and in solace. The invitation, “Stand in the Light,” nudges us to bask in the incredible radiance of a God whose glory, brightness, penetrates everyone, everything and everywhere. Standing in the Light we touch this all pervasive presence and recognize our inner glory because of it. Christ’s Light shining in our hearts pouring energy and inspiration into us can be a powerful revealer of truth if we allow it to pierce the dark corners of our lives and transform us anew. Acknowledging that      "Heaven’s brightness flows from me to you,      and on behalf of God, I say that’s right" (B. Kenneally) we dare to be that brightness and go on co-creating our world so that all might live in peace and right relationship. – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education	La luz se expande llenando toda la creación de belleza, calor, amor y consuelo.  La invitación a “Permanecer en la Luz” nos despierta para que nos dejemos envolver por el increíble  resplandor de un Dios cuya gloria y luminosidad penetra en cada uno, en todas las cosas y en todas partes. Permaneciendo en la Luz, recibimos plenamente esta presencia penetrante y así descubrimos nuestra gloria interior.  La Luz de Cristo, que brilla en nuestros corazones  derramando en nosotros energía e inspiración, puede ser una fuerza reveladora de la verdad, si permitimos que penetre hasta los oscuros rincones de nuestras vidas y nos transforme en seres nuevos. Reconociendo que      “En nombre de Dios, digo que es verdad que el      resplandor del Cielo brota de mí hacia tí” (B. Kenneally) nos atrevemos a ser esa claridad para ir co-creando nuestro mundo en el que todos podamos vivir en paz y en una relación armoniosa. – Hna. Edith Prendergast, RSC Directora, Oficina de Educación Religiosa
CONGRESS 2006 THEME REFLECTION
Step into Freedom Paso a la Libertad
The theme for Congress 2006, Step Into Freedom, flows from the command of Christ to Lazarus and to us: unbind… unwrap… roll away the stone… come forth to a life that is brand new. The command signals us to pause and remember the words of the poet David Whyte, "anything or anyone  that does not  bring you alive  is too small for you." And so we ask, what imprisons, entombs, shuts us down and robs us of spirit?   Not only are the burdens of weakness, the threat of terrorism, daily sources of anxiety and fear but it seems harder each day to protect the unity of our communities from the pressures arising from our personal and social sinfulness.   Jesus is the one who gives life, raises hope and calls us to an appreciation of the vast spaciousness, wide-openness of a God who invites us to leave behind all that enslaves and stand fast by the liberty which Christ has made for us. Faith in Christ as resurrection and life brings fresh stirrings of divine life and ultimately true freedom.   We then are challenged to Step into Freedom, witness to our new life in Christ, and place our lives and ministry at the service of God’s people in the world. – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education	El tema para el Congreso 2006, Paso a la Libertad, emana del mandato de Cristo a Lázaro y a nosotros desátense... libérense, remuevan la piedra...vengan a esta vida que es muy nueva. El mandato nos indica a que hagamos una pausa y que recordemos al poeta David Whyte; "cualquier cosa  cualquier persona  que no te trae vida  es muy pequeña  para ti." Por esto nos preguntamos ¿qué nos aprisiona, entierra, nos acalla y roba el espíritu? No son solamente el peso de nuestras debilidades, la amenaza del terrorismo causa de diaria ansiedad y miedo, sino que se hace cada día más difícil proteger la unidad de nuestras comunidades de las presiones provenientes de nuestros propios pecados y los de la sociedad. Jesús es quien da  vida, alienta nuestra esperanza y nos llama a la apertura e inmensidad del Dios que nos invita a dejar atrás todo lo que nos esclaviza y mantenernos firmes por la libertad que Cristo nos ha dado. La fe en Cristo como la resurrección y la vida nos da un fresco despertar a la vida divina y finalmente a la verdadera libertad. Somos pues, desafiadas, desafiados a dar Paso a la Libertad, testimoniando nuestra nueva vida en Cristo, y ha poner nuestras vidas y ministerios al servicio del pueblo de Dios en el mundo. – Hna. Edith Prendergast, RSC Directora, Oficina de Educación Religiosa
CONGRESS 2005 THEME REFLECTION
Awake to Grace Despierten a la Gracia
The grace of God has appeared on earth bringing salvation to all (Titus 2:11). All around us, even within reach of our senses, abound stirrings of this all-encompassing presence. Yet, it is easy to miss the prompting, miss the grace hidden in the joys, the hopes, the beauty, as well as in the contradictions, pain and struggle. Our theme, “Awake to Grace,” shakes us out of our inattentiveness, our complacency. Summoned to wake up, we discover grace in places, situations, where we would not expect it at all: around us, among the littlest, the poorest, in the still small voices, in the loud clamors for change, renewal and transformation – and no less in the deepest core of ourselves where the birth of Christ unceasingly repeats itself. – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education	La gracia de Dios ha venido sobre la tierra trayendo a todos la salvación (Tito 2:11). A nuestro alrededor, al alcance de nuestros sentidos, se encuentra esta presencia. Pero estas señales pueden pasar desapercibidas, desapercibidas a la gracia escondida dentro de las alegrías, las esperanzas, la belleza, u en las contradicciones, el dolor y en las luchas del diario vivir. Nuestro tema, “Despierten a la Gracia,” nos sacude de nuestras distracciones y complacencias; llamándonos a despertar, a descubrir la gracia en lugares y situaciones inesperables. Encontrándola a nuestro alrededor, dentro de los más pequeños, de los más pobres, en las tiernas voces, en el clamor que pide cambio, renovación y transformación – y aún en lo más profundo de nuestro ser donde el nacimiento de Cristo se repite sin cesar. – Hna. Edith Prendergast, RSC Directora, Oficina de Educación Religiosa
CONGRESS 2004 THEME REFLECTION Steeped in Mercy, Balm for the World Inmersos en Misericordia, Bálsamo para el Mundo
" 'Steeped in Mercy, Balm for the World' invites us to 'walk out of ourselves' and plunge into the oceans of God’s mercy. Steeped in this lavish shower of God’s boundless compassion, we blossom anew. Strengthened and refreshed, we dare to let the voices of a world in need echo in our hearts. And in the power of the Spirit, we press forward as messengers of unlimited mercy, healing balm, singers of new life." – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 2003 THEME REFLECTION Bearer of Hope, Restoring Spirit Portador de Esperanza, Restaurando el Espíritu
"Living in a time of uncertainty, distrust, darkness, we stand firm, confident of God's brightness in the midst of the pain. Our hope is centered on trust in an all-embracing God dwelling in the darkness as much as in the light. Strengthened by God's constant coming, God's desire to restore and renew, God's assurance that 'all will be well,' we step out to be 'Bearer of Hope, Restoring Spirit.' " – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 2002 THEME REFLECTION Gift Overflowing, A World Transformed Don Derramado, Mundo Transformado
"Gift of God overflowing in creation, beckons us to gaze on our world with eyes of love and behold the splendor, the beauty of God. Gift poured out in Christ through the power of the Spirit, refreshes, heals and connects the entire community of life. Led by the Spirit, we walk with great reverence for the Earth and its creatures, we open our hearts to God's transforming presence and give glory to the one whose power working in us restores." – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 2001 THEME REFLECTION Clothed in Love, Summoned Beyond Vestidos en Amor, Llamados al más allá
"The theme of the 2001 Religious Education Congress speaks of God's boundless love poured out in Christ through the power of the Spirit and embracing all of life. Graced by the initiating waters of Baptism, we are clothed in love, drawn into relationship and summoned to go forth to draw others into the mystery of Trinitarian love. In gratitude we celebrate God's delight in us and give ourselves to God's desire for us, to live lives of righteousness and praise." – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 2000 THEME REFLECTION Awaken Hope – Shout Jubilee! Despierta la Esperanza – Grita Jubileo
"Our theme invites us to journey toward the future with a hope that inspires confidence and an assurance that God is always with us. It is the hope of the Chosen People of Abraham who were blessed abundantly by the promises of God to Isaac. Women such as Sarah and Rebecca kept alive the hope of Israel's salvation, and the psalmists called us to be "stouthearted and put our hope in God." Through the gift of Jesus, God keeps us in the "Hope that does not disappoint" (Rm. 5:5). And we are reminded to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation" (1 Thess. 5:8). And so our rich tradition of hope-filled men and women remind us to take courage as we break new ground and open up new paths in the new millennium. It is this hope that beckons us to shout Jubilee as we celebrate Jesus among us and reach out in reconciliation to a world in need of healing" – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 1999 THEME REFLECTION Lead with Eyes of Wisdom Dirige con Ojos de Sabiduría
"Congress 1999 promises to be a gift, offering new hope, new wisdom, new enthusiasm for sharing the marvels of our Catholic sacred story and traditions. The theme "Lead with Eyes of Wisdom" beckons us to reaffirm our call to leadership in religious education and related ministries, and like the women and men of our scriptural tradition, we too, are challenged to listen to the wisdom within us and beyond us, and out of this experience go forth with conviction and courage to lead others to embrace the Gospel message. The exciting workshop, community gatherings, liturgical celebration and varied evening events will be sources of new life for all." – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education
CONGRESS 1998 THEME REFLECTION Imaging Love: Empowering Lives Reflejando Amor: Dando Poder
The theme "Imaging Love: Empowering Lives" invites us to open up our hearts to experience the pouring out of God's outrageous, enduring, persistent, generous love ... a love that affirms, heals, challenges and gives meaning to our lives and to our ministry. Standing in the presence of this enduring love "we, through the power of the Holy Spirit," are changed into mirror images of God. We become like God in the values that we choose to live by, in our attitude toward others, in our commitment to be at the service of the brother and sister and in our openness to forgive and to reconcile. We indeed put on the mind of Christ and live His vision. Out of this freeing, life-giving stance, we go forth in ministry to empower others to stand tall, to embrace a Gospel vision of life, to believe in God, to believe in themselves. This belief comes from a conviction that God's love powerful in us transforms, renews and "flows from you to me" as the poet Brendan Kenneally so beautifully writes, "Heaven's brightness flows from you to me and on behalf of God, I say that's right." – Sr. Edith Prendergast, RSC Director, Office of Religious Education

---

Congress Year: Choose... 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997	ABOUT CONGRESS:   Reviews  •  Themes  •  Sign Up  •  Cardinal Chat  •  Resources  •  Recordings  •  Guidebook  •  Comments  •  Search  •  Congress Milestones  •  History in Photos•  Email Us  |   CONGRESS HOME PAGE 2009 CONGRESS INFO:  REC 2009  •  YOUTH DAY  •  SCHEDULE  •  SPEAKERS  •  TOPICS  •  WORKSHOPS     •  EXHIBITORS  •  Volunteers  •  Congress Questions  •  Get Emailings
CeJy ©1996-2008 Office of Religious Education, a department of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Congress questions? Trouble with PDF files? Send bad links / information updates to RECongress Español   Français   Deutsch   Italiano