More than 35,000 people are once again expected to attend the Religious Education Congress, scheduled March 30 to April 2 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Beginning March 30 with Youth Day (whose registration closed in February, at 14,000), Congress --- sponsored since 1967 by the Office of Religious Education --- offers an unmatched variety of workshop and prayer opportunities for Catholics not only in Southern California, but across the U.S. and, in recent years, around the world. Contingents this year are expected from Ireland and England, while the roster of speakers includes representatives from virtually every continent in the world.

Topics again cover the gamut of Catholic and community interests and concerns --- from faith and spirituality to family life and social justice, from liturgy and music to religious education and formation. As in recent years, Congress not only offers a main keynote on Saturday morning ("The Church as a Sign of Hope and Freedom," with Oxford preacher-lecturer Timothy Radcliffe), but three Sunday morning general addresses (in English, Spanish and Vietnamese). Many of this year's talk are geared toward the theme: "Step Into Freedom" ("Paso a la Libertad"), taken from the raising of Lazarus in St. John's Gospel reading for April 2, the fifth Sunday of Lent and Third Scrutiny.

This year's Congress also features events oriented to young adults, including a Friday night concert and Saturday night dance. Eucharistic liturgies embrace a variety of ethnic and cultural expressions of faith in a range of atmospheres, from lively to contemplative. Musical entertainment highlights Catholic artists who are relatively new on the scene as well as those who have become longstanding favorites --- including, this year, the reunited St. Louis Jesuits.

Following is a glimpse of highlights for Congress 2006. For information, call (213) 637-7332, or visit www.RECongress.org.

CONGRESS SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MARCH 31
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Opening Rite & Welcome (Arena)
10-11:30 a.m.: Period 1 Workshops
11:45-12:30 p.m.: Pedro Rubalcava (Arena); David Haas (Hall B)
1-2:30 p.m.: Period 2 Workshops
3-4:30 p.m.: Period 3 Workshops
5:15 p.m.: Evening Prayer (Ballroom DE) and Eucharistic Liturgies (Arena and other venues)
8 p.m.: "Rockin' the 'Rena" concert (Arena)
9:30 p.m.: Taizé (Ballroom DE)

SATURDAY, APRIL 1
8 a.m.: Morning Praise (Arena)
8:30 a.m.: Timothy Radcliffe, keynote (Arena)
10-11:30 a.m.: Period 4 Workshops
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: ˇMarimbas Fantásticas! with Peter Kolar (Arena); Matt Maher (Hall B)
1-2:30 p.m.: Period 5 Workshops
3-4:30 p.m.: Period 6 Workshops
5:15 p.m.: Evening Prayer (Ballroom DE) and Eucharistic Liturgies (Arena and other venues)
8 p.m.: Bob Halligan Jr. & Ceili Rain Concert (Arena)
9:30 p.m.: Compline (Ballroom DE)
9:30-Midnight: Young Adult Dance (Marriott)

SUNDAY, APRIL 2
8:15-9:30 a.m.: Eucharistic Liturgy (Arena)
8:30 a.m.: Addresses: Rev. Ronald Rolheiser (English, Ballroom AB); Rev. Domingo Rodríguez (Spanish, Hall B); Bishop Stephanus Thien (Vietnamese, Ballroom D)
10-11:30 a.m.: Period 7 Workshops
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: St. Louis Jesuits in Concert (Arena); John Angotti & Meredith Dean Joseph (Hall B)
1-2:30 p.m.: Period 8 Workshops
3:30 p.m.: Closing Eucharistic Liturgy (Arena)

EUCHARISTIC LITURGIES
March 31 (5:15 p.m.):
---General: Fr. Tony Picard presiding (Hall B).
---Celtic: Fr. Dorian Llewellyn (Ballroom ABC).
---Justice & Peace: Bishop Donald Trautman (Convention 304).
---Mass of the Americas: Fr. Domingo Rodriguez (Arena).
---Nigerian: Fr. Ikechukwu Ikeocha (Hall C)

April 1 (5:15 p.m.):
---General: Fr. Richard Leonard (Ballroom ABC).
---Black Culture: Fr. J-Glenn Murray (Arena).
---Contemplative: Fr. Bryan Massigngale (Convention 304).
---Spanish: Bishop Alexander Salazar (Hall B).
---Tongan: Fr. Rev. Fatu Mulikháamea (Shertaon Coast Plaza)
---Young Adult: Msgr. Ray East (Hall C)

April 1:
---8:15 a.m.: Bishop Tod Brown (Arena).
---3:30 p.m.: Cardinal Roger Mahony (Arena).

SPECIAL EVENTS
Daily:
---Sacred Space (Hall E): Labyrinth walk, Reconciliation, Adoration of Blessed Sacrament (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri-Sat; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun).
---Art Exhibit (Arena Lobby): St. John's Bible display (during exhibit hours).
---Multicultural Exhibit (Convention Lobby, 2nd floor): presented by archdiocesan ethnic groups (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri-Sat; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun).

March 31:
---Cardinal Mahony Online (Hall A), 11:15 a.m.

Reminder:
---Daylight Savings Time occurs during Congress; clocks are set forward one hour at 1 a.m. April 2.