Catechists to be awarded at San Pedro Regional Congress

The San Pedro Regional Religious Education Congress will inaugurate the Excellence in Catechetical Service Awards, in recognition to catechists who have “shown exemplary service to their faith communities” for 10 or more years.“Revive! Restore! God’s Peace and Justice” is the theme of the Oct. 1 Congress that returns to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower.“Our goal is to continue to foster the catechists’ desire of becoming the best persons they can be; to help them enrich their faith,” congress coordinator Karina Plascencia told The Tidings. “We want to contribute to their own formation and challenge of bringing God’s peace and justice to our world.”Plascencia said more than 1,000 participants are expected to attend, including leaders from Orange County parishes.Among the recommended workshops are “Nourishing relationships in overwhelming times,” facilitated by Paige Marrs, Ph.D., and “What every serious Christian should know about Judaism,” by Rabbi Michael Lotker.Father Richard Vega, president of the Chicago-based National Federation of the Council of Priests and a priest of the Archdiocese of L.A., will facilitate three RCIA workshops.The ECS awards will be handed during a ceremony at the closing liturgy that will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis.Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and first sessions start at 9:30 a.m. On-site fee is $30. For information, email [email protected] or call (562) 630-6272.Other upcoming regional congresses are Santa Barbara, Oct. 8 at Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Santa Barbara; San Gabriel, Oct. 15 at Bishop Amat High School, La Puente; and Our Lady of the Angels, Oct. 22 at St. Mary’s Academy, Inglewood.—Doris Benavides{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2011/0930/spcongress/{/gallery}