MORE THAN 40,000 WILL ATTEND THIS WEEKEND THE LARGEST GATHERING OF CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES
March 14, 2014  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

— During closing Mass, Archbishop José H. Gomez will bless children of undocumented parents and immigrants’ advocates who will travel to the Vatican

More than 40,000 faithful from across the United States and other parts of the world will attend this weekend (March 14-16) the 2014 Religious Education Congress (RECongress), the nation’s largest annual gathering of Catholics, at the Anaheim Convention Center (800 Katella Ave, Anaheim).

The four-day event, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education, is open to all who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith or seek personal growth. RECongress kicked off Thursday with Youth Day and concludes Sunday, March 16, with a 3:30 p.m. Mass in the Arena. During the Mass, Archbishop José Gomez will bless children of undocumented parents facing deportation and immigrants’ advocates as they prepare to travel to the Vatican to request Pope Francis’ intercession in favor of comprehensive immigration reform a day before he holds an audience with President Barack Obama.

Prior to the Sunday Mass, the children and advocates will participate in a special ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Sacred Space, a prayer room where two local artists will display art featuring belongings of people who lost their lives in the desert as they tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border seeking a better future.

RECAP
WHAT: 2014 Religious Education Congress
Special prayer by children of undocumented parents
Closing liturgy, including send-off blessing of the children and immigrants’ advocates

WHO: Archbishop José Gomez, children of undocumented parents, immigrants’ advocates

WHEN: Friday, March 14-Sunday, March 16

WHERE: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 Katella Ave, Anaheim
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