Undaunted by inclement weather, a record 38,577 people --- reflecting awareness and desire for growing in and sharing the faith --- gathered during Presidents Day weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center for the 37th annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.

"There's a new awareness in our church for adult formation," declared Religious Sister of Charity Edith Prendergast, archdiocesan director of the Office of Religious Education, which annually sponsors the largest annual event of its kind. "It reflects a hunger in the people for God. Conversions and transformations are occurring at Congress, drawing people to deepen their faith life."

At the Feb. 18 opening rite and welcome, Sister Prendergast and Cardinal Roger Mahony along with more than 50 liturgical ministers, musicians, dancers and artists officially began the convention --- themed "Awake to Grace" --- with a rousing program of song and dance in the 8,000-seat arena. Following the opening ceremony urging participants to wake up and discover grace in places and situations they might not expect, Congress delegates fanned out to attend pre-registered workshops from among the 270 offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Reflecting a desire for whole community building and an increased intergenerational presence, convention planners focused on a specialized ministry to youth and young adults. For the first time ever, a young adult liturgy was held in the arena Feb. 19. "We didn't even have a young adult liturgy five years ago," noted Sister Prendergast.

Liturgy and its place as "the primary form for catechizing God's people" provided the theme for the Feb. 19 Congress keynote talk, "Catechizing Contemporary Christians through the Liturgy," by Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, Pa., and chair of the U.S. bishops' committee on liturgy.

He cautioned that many young people today find liturgy inaccessible, because of celebrations that are boring, lackadaisical and barely relevant to their lives. Good liturgy --- "living liturgy" --- strengthens faith, he said. Young people need experiences of well-planned liturgies that are joyful, vibrant and challenging by including effective preaching, music, singing, prayer, silence and offering opportunities for social justice.

"Liturgies," he added, "have the power, profound and vast, to transform God's people" into men and women "more willing to serve and care for others, more persuaded to witness Christ and more willing to love and forgive."

He noted that the early church grew and flourished even without systematic religious education, Catholic schools or adult formation programs because the liturgy was the community's catechizing agent. "The liturgy was the school of prayer, the Catholic school, the religious education program, the impetus to social action and works of charity," he said.

While in the past catechists and liturgists have had difficulties, Bishop Trautman said both groups realize now, more than ever, that they need to be in dialogue and working together to create good faith experiences. All religious education and parish ministries, he suggested, should primarily "prepare people to celebrate Eucharist with full and active participation."

At the Sunday morning liturgy, Diocese of Orange Bishop Tod Brown, spoke on the importance of living a holy life. "Each one of us here in this arena this morning are religious educators," said the bishop. "We need to listen to Jesus in order that we indeed might have that holy life. We need to listen to Jesus to show that those who listen to us will hear the message of Jesus: it's the message of God's love for us and God's plan for our salvation. Brothers and sisters, thank you for all you do."

During his homily at Sunday's closing liturgy, Cardinal Roger Mahony also urged the assembly to listen carefully to Jesus. "Jesus wants us to be authentic in his sight," declared the cardinal. "We live in a society where all the focus is on external change…As we journey together from here to the great Easter vigil, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Let us realize that it is Jesus who is accompanying us on this journey, and it's Jesus who is reminding us to look into our lives (asking) what interior things need to change."

Alexandra Alvarez, 29, who enthusiastically sang along with the 200-voice Congress choir at Sunday's closing liturgy, described her second annual convention experience as "awesome." The catechist at St. Frances of Rome Church in Azusa said she received an increased understanding of her Catholic faith by attending the convention workshops.

Marvel Hamilton, 64, a parishioner at St. Agnes Church in Los Angeles and fifth grade teacher at the parish school, said she gains a lot every year at Congress and enjoys perusing the exhibition hall for new educational materials. "I want students to understand how morals and virtues are important for them in their everyday lives," said Hamilton.

Former Southern California resident Linda Kaiser, currently living in Idaho, returns each year to attend Congress. "Even though I've moved, I still love this conference and I still want to be a part of it," said Kaiser, who is a third grade catechist and junior high youth minister. She said Congress helps her to keep up with kids and where they're at today.

Lydia Reyes, a parishioner at St. Mariana de Paredes Church in Pico Rivera where she directs Christian initiation, said attending Congress helps her to find answers to the questions people raise during the RCIA process. "I learn something new every year," said Reyes. "I really enjoy coming here."

Ellie Hidalgo contributed to this article.