World News
Record crowd 'awakens,' learns at religious education congress
Published:
ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) -- Undaunted by inclement weather, a record 38,577 people -- reflecting awareness and desire for growing in and sharing the faith -- gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center Feb. 18-20 for the 37th annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. "There's a new awareness in our church for adult formation," declared Sister Edith Prendergast, a Religious Sister of Charity and director of the Los Angeles archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, which sponsors the congress, the largest annual event of its kind. "It reflects a hunger in the people for God. Conversions and transformations are occurring at (the) congress, drawing people to deepen their faith life," she added. At the Feb. 18 opening rite and welcome, Sister Prendergast and Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles, along with more than 50 liturgical ministers, musicians, dancers and artists, officially opened the convention --- themed "Awake to Grace" -- with a rousing program of song and dance in the 8,000-seat arena.
Copyright (c) Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .
