by Judy Alvarez

When I was fourteen years old, I attended my first Religious Education Congress (RE Congress). I was young, and the RE Congress was younger! That year, the RE Congress was called the Southern California Confraternity Congress and was held for the first time in a hotel. It was located in the LAX Airport area, at the International Hotel, thanks to the dreams and dedication of archdiocesan staff and CCD (religious education) coordinators who wanted to support the faith and catechetical development of the numerous catechists serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

My beloved CCD coordinator, Bessie Keber, from St. Luke’s Church, Temple City, was on the organizing committee. At that time, I was a teacher’s aide in a First Communion class taught by Bessie’s married daughter. I vividly remember my first workshop in a hotel bedroom, which focused on how to effectively use a felt board with felt characters to tell Bible stories with children. Yes, I said bedroom! There were maybe 10 participants in the room that day.

Those who have attended the Religious Education Congress in recent years know that it has come a long way since then. It is the largest gathering of its kind in the nation for Roman Catholics, offering multilingual workshops, resources, exhibits, liturgies, prayer experiences, and entertainment for three days at the Anaheim Convention Center. It is also preceded annually by Youth Day, a unique celebration of faith and catechesis for teenage Catholics.

The Salesian Presence at the RE Congress has a long-standing history. The first that comes to mind is the many Salesian CYMs and Youth Ministers who have assured their young people a vital experience of faith by taking their parish and school youth to the annual Archdiocesan Youth Day. Let’s pray that this year’s Youth Day, on February 15, enkindles a renewed fire of love and service in all the youth who attend.

Secondly, many Salesian family members have been involved over the years in planning and leading this great LA Church experience, coordinating committees for special events and liturgies, and presenting workshops. I don’t know all their names, but I am convinced that the RE Congress has grown because we, too, have collaborated in this great work of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

However, the most reliable Salesian presence guaranteed by the Salesian Province of the Western United States (SUO) each year is the Salesian Booth in the Exhibit Hall. Our long-standing booth commitment has secured us a prominent location in the Exhibit Hall this year, and we will not disappoint!

Focused on the education philosophy of St John Bosco, we will have various ways for our visitors to engage and be touched by the Salesian charism. Our booth experts, returning this year, are Fr Alejandro Rodriguez, SDB, and Sr Mary Greenan, FMA, who are offering resources on the Preventive System in both English and Spanish. The Salesian Sisters will engage everyone in an opportunity to entrust their prayers to Mary Help of Christians. St John Bosco High School will have a table to promote online Theology classes. Finally, the Salesian Cooperators are sponsoring an extension to the booth where they will invite visitors to “dream with Don Bosco” for the good of young people today.

If you are attending the RE Congress, we welcome and encourage your visit to the booth. It is a great place to connect with your Salesian Family. We also ask for your prayers that our Salesian presence in the booth will ignite new and renewed hearts among those who accompany young people and their families in the local Church or wherever they minister.

“Stir into flame the gift of God you have received.” 2 Tim. 1:6