As the 40 days of Lent have officially started, thousands of Catholic high schoolers and adults are gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend for the annual Religious Education Congress, put on by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
As the community mourns the death of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, who was murdered just days before the liturgical season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, many Catholics hope to find healing through the practice of their faith.
“We’ve been keeping Bishop (O’Connell) in our prayers, and praying for his soul,” said attendee Fatima Hernandez, who came to the event with a group of youth from St. Patrick’s Church in North Hollywood. “It’s surreal, the kind of world we’re living in … violence everywhere, and so close to our community. It reminds me that we aren’t here for long, and we need each other in times like this.”
Conference organizers say that Bishop O’Connell is being remembered at every Mass and faith workshop. Attendees signed posters of him in the hallways. A special prayer service was set for Sunday morning, Feb. 26.
And the Sacred Space, a multimedia exhibit and area for prayer, was also dedicated to the late bishop — who was beloved by many throughout the Los Angeles area and beyond. The exhibit included a touching photo memorial of O’Connell, with a book that people could sign and leave messages.
This year’s conference themes — “Embrace Grace” for the adults, and “Strive For Life” for youths — are markers of what the faithful seek throughout the season of Lent and beyond.
Organizers said that O’Connell had attended the Catholic convention, now in its 67th year, annually since he joined the Archdiocese of L.A.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, thousands of high school teens from local parishes and schools came to the convention center for the annual RE Congress Youth Day, kicking off the weekend with workshops and prayer.
“It’s a great experience to connect…
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