Amidst
the events in an ever-challenging world ---
including war, upcoming elections, economic
uncertainties and a looming national report
on sex abuse in the church --- nearly 39,000
catechists, clergy, religious and youth from
around the U.S. found their way to Anaheim
last weekend in search of information, education
and --- maybe most of all --- motivation.
They found it in the 2004 Religious Education
Congress whose workshops, speakers, liturgies
and special events spoke (at least in some
way) to the theme of "Steeped in Mercy, Balm
for the World." For many who have been humbled
and even shaken by the events of recent years,
it was exactly the balm they sought, and they
left Anaheim renewed not only in faith but
in their baptismal call to be ministers of
God's healing love and mercy --- to be, indeed,
balm for the world.
