Large scale conferences seem to have this uncanny ability to leave me feeling giddy and yearning to stay for much longer than one measly weekend. Maybe it's the bustling atmosphere, or getting to meet new people. Or maybe it's the fact that you can be completely unreserved about one of your deepest passions that just so happens to unite tens of thousands of people from far and wide for a few days of communal bliss (um, Comic-Con 2010 anybody? Yes, please!).One such occasion took place this past weekend at the good ol' Anaheim Convention Center. The beautiful thing about this is that it wasn't just about discovering what the next big movie release will be, or meeting the creators of that obscure video game you play (Portal 2 coming out this holiday! AAAHH!!); this was about something MORE.
The annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is put on by the Catholic Archdiocese of L.A. and brings together people from all different walks of life for 4 days of spiritual growth. It is truly a beautiful thing to be a part of. Where else in Southern California will you get the chance to give Him praise in a mass with 40,000 other Catholics, and a handful of bishops?
For anyone reading this, if you are ever given the opportunity to take part in a spiritually rejuvenating experience such as Congress, please do not pass it up. From the meditative labyrinth and art exhibit to a late night prayer jam (Matt Maher included! *sigh*) and all the workshops in between, there is something for everybody.
One class Dennis and I took was definitely an entertaining yet enlightening (and, not to mention, interactive) hour and a half. With an intriguing title like, "Was Jesus a jazz musician?" I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Using his training in African drumming, the Reverend Philip Roderick was able to show us how simple beats and corresponding body movements can act as a medium for prayer. It actually proved to be a very relaxing and focused way to talk to the big guy upstairs. Who knew?
All in all, it was truly a blessed weekend.
God is good.
SIDE NOTE: The mass pictured above is nothing like I've ever experienced. We all know that Catholicism is universal, geographically and definitionally, but it has never been more apparent to me as it was that day. This mass had it all! People from different countries, multilingual readings and songs (Vietnamese! Spanish! Hawaiian! Tagalog! Sign Language!), with liturgical dancing to boot.
-T
