The 2015 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress brought together a diversity of Lasallians in Anaheim, California, March 12 – 15, 2015. Brothers, high school and college students, alumni, Lasallian Volunteers alumni, and Lasallian educators from around the world participated in the event, which is the largest annual gathering of religious educators, teachers and youth ministers in the world.
“LA Congress is an incredible opportunity to join together religious educators, teachers, and youth ministry personnel,” said Dr. Margaret McCarty, Executive Director for Christian Brothers Conference, who also presented to 250 participants on balancing marriage and ministry. “Through the keynote sessions, workshops, prayer services, and liturgies, the entire experience provides the opportunity to nourish our minds and our souls.”
The Regional Vocation Formation Committee had a booth in the exhibit hall promoting and providing visibility for the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ vocation, Lasallian Education, and the Lasallian Volunteers.
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Brandon Birr, Dean of Students at La Salle High School, Pasadena, and Ryan Resurreccion, Director of Campus Ministry at Cathedral High School, Los Angeles. Courtesy Brother James Joost, FSC.
“Our Lasallian Vocations exhibit booth became a gathering place for Lasallians, as we had an opportunity to raise the profile of the Lasallian educational mission to more than 30,000 participants of this three day event,” said Dr. McCarty.
Brother William Carriere, FSC, Ph.D., Executive Director for Western Catholic Education Association, has attended the LA Congress for many years. “I have always been so pleased to see the number of people who are obviously interested in their own faith development as well as learning new ways to help students and adults in their faith formation,” said Brother William. “It is also so exciting to meet so many people who have been taught by the Brothers ‘somewhere!’ Their enthusiasm to see us and tell us their stories is heartwarming and makes me grateful for my vocation as a De La Salle Brother.”
Saint Mary’s Press also had a booth at the event across from the vocations booth, which contributed to the Lasallian presence.
“The many Lasallian alumni and educators who drop in to the booth, especially the ones from other countries and from the Midwest and East Coast, are happy to see us there across from St. Mary’s Press and see that we are still active in promoting vocations to the Brothers and other Lasallian commitments, like the Lasallian Volunteers,” said Brother James Joost, FSC, Auxiliary Visitor for the District of San Francisco New Orleans. “We were confirmed that our Lasallian network is alive and well, having made a significant impact in the lives of many and able to continue making an impact even in places we are not currently present, through the work of other Catholic educators and catechists.”
Read more about the LA Congress >
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