The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is the largest annual meeting of its kind in the world. This four-day event is held at the Anaheim Convention Center and is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education.
It’s an inspiring week of learning, reflection, and community as we bring fresh hearts and new insights back to our islands. We are united in our mission to share the Word, no matter the distance!
RE Congress began in 1956 as an institute for religious education teachers. Since then, RE Congress has grown to include people from all ministries, vocations and religions. The 2026 LA Religious Education Congress kicked off Friday morning with an emphasis on the healing power of mercy and self-forgiveness — and a special message from Pope Leo XIV — as the annual gathering marked its 70th year. This year’s theme, “Wrapped in Mercy, Hope Renewed!” was the inspiration for the liturgy, song, worship dance, and reflection inside the Anaheim Convention Center.
“Thank you for not giving up on the Church,” Thank you for not giving up on us priests. I know we have our bad days, and you see us in our bad moments, and that you don’t leave. God must have renewed your hope.” that message of hope and perseverance by one of the speakers’ offered nearly 13,000 catechists, teachers, parish staff, and ordinary Catholics resources and inspiration to face some of the practical challenges associated with declining religious practice, a broken immigration system, and an increasingly polarized political and ecclesial climate.
We’re not so sure what to expect at first, and we didn’t fully grasp the meaning of the theme until were there – surrounded by like‑minded individuals whose energy and faith echoed what “Wrapped in Mercy, Hope Renewed!” truly meant. “Mercy” and “Renewed” are what stood out to us. Mercy to remind us of God’s compassion and forgiveness. That no matter where we are in life, God meets us with understanding and love. Renewed to bring hope even with all the “noise” in the world today. This is a call for all of us that renewal isn’t just a moment but a movement, guided by the Holy Spirit who lifts, strengthens, and continually invites us into deeper faith.
There were many distinctive sessions throughout the Congress. While distinctive to the subject presented by each speaker, there was a connection through each one. This ties well to what Catholic means: “universal”. While we live in a diverse world, our faith draws us together in the same hope and the same belief in which we are all called to live. There were many sessions in, and it wasn’t until the last one “I attended that everything truly came together for me”. I left the session in tears, not because I was sad, but because something within me finally opened. I felt heard. I felt seen. I knew that God was speaking to me, that His mercy is present and alive in my own story. In that moment and up to the closing liturgy as I received the Body and Blood of Christ, I found comfort and a beautiful encounter with Him.”
We were beyond grateful to have represented our parishes at this year’s Congress. We traveled about 5,900 miles to get to the 2026 RE Congress. It’s costly and a great distance. While this was out of our usual routine, the long journey was worth every mile. Returning home to the CNMI, brings us hope that we may echo back the experience as we continue to serve not just as a Catechist, but as a lay person of the Catholic Church.
In his welcome remarks, Archbishop José H. Gomez surprised participants with a message sent by Vatican Secretary of State on behalf of Pope Leo XIV and quote: “By deepening your relationship with Jesus, who is the Truth, and continuing to be faithful and joyful disciples in your daily lives,” read the message, “your authenticity as educators and catechetical leaders will enable you to transmit the Gospel in such a way that it leads to a true encounter with the Lord and contributes to building up a lasting and life-giving culture,” and that RE Congress-goers might “discover Jesus’ Eucharistic presence as an unfailing source of comfort and strength in all of life’s circumstances.”
Lee Anne Y. Bujen – St. Jude Thaddeus Parish
Sunny Salas & Jonathan Salas – Nuestra Señora Bithen Delos Remedios Parish
Rizalina Cano & Froilyn Baclay – San Roque Parish
Catalina Benedicto, Armela & Jimmy Ham – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral
Sr. Emma O. Lusterio, SJBP – Director of Religious Education
