USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Dozens of Workshops Slated for Encuentro 2000 in Los Angeles

Dozens of Workshops Slated for Encuentro 2000 in Los Angeles

WASHINGTON (February 23, 2000) -- Dozens of workshops to highlight concerns for the 21st Century will be featured at Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House, slated for July 6-9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Topics cross a wide range of issues and include everything from how different cultures voice their faith to the need to create an atmosphere where people of different backgrounds become one at worship.

Workshops include the following:

The Gift of Popular Devotions in Catholic Cultures
Raising Children to Blossom in a Multicultural Society
Building Solidarity Through Healthy Intercultural Ministry
Women's Movements, the Church, and the Many Faces
Abortion: Strategies for Prevention
Our Best Kept Secret: Strategies for Sharing Catholic Social Teaching
From Exclusive to Inclusive Parish and Diocesan Environments
One Church, One America: The Vision of Ecclesia in America and Its Applications in U.S. Dioceses and Parishes
Common Ground: Overcoming Polarization and Alienation
Shared Responsibility at the Decision-Making Table
Deafness as a Culture
Enhancing Evangelization Initiatives through Technology
Catholic Schools: Challenge and Opportunity for Newcomers
The Unfinished Business of Welfare Reform
Jail and Prison Ministry: Challenge and Reconciliation
A Parish Network to Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
The Right to Health Care--Denied!
Lift Every Voice and VOTE!
Immigration Law: Will It Respect the Family or Tear It to Pieces?
Solidarity and Acceptance: Working for Amnesty for the Undocumented
Option for the Poor: Reaching Out to Low-Wage Immigrant Workers
Land and People: The Union of Environmental and Economic Justice
A Culture of Violence
The United States and Mexico Border: Barriers or Bridges?
After the Abortion
Preaching the Just Word in the Culture of the Hearers

Sunday morning workshops will stress church ministry topics including ministerially-focused workshops related to work with youth, young adults, vocations, family life, liturgy, social justice, new immigrants, African Americans and Hispanics.

The workshops will provide for input and sharing throughout Encuentro 2000, the U.S. bishops' key event for the Jubilee Year 2000. Participants will include people rooted in Hispanic, African-American, Native-American, Asian/Pacific Island, Latin-American, European and other cultures as they examine the Church at the launch of the Third Millennium.

Previous Encuentro meetings have focused on Hispanics in the Church. For the Jubilee year 2000 the Bishops' Committee on Hispanics sought to broaden the event by hosting the event for all groups.

In addition to the workshops, Encuentro 2000 activities also will include key addresses by nationally-known speakers, liturgies, an international food festival, music and dance by various ethnic groups and other celebrations to highlight the many faces of the Church.

More information on Encuentro 2000 can be found at www.encuentro2000.org or calling 202-541-3413.