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SENDING OFF CEREMONIES: In preparation for the Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House national gathering in Los Angeles, dioceses are planning sending forth ceremonies. These ceremonies will allow participants attending Encuentro 2000 to gather together in prayer. Suggested outlines for the Sending Forth Ceremonies can be found on the Encuentro 2000 Website. For more information contact Cynthia Morris, 202/541-3100 or cmorris@nccbuscc.org.
MUSIC: Music of all types will be heard at Encuentro 2000. The event will open with a local choir representing various parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles who will perform several bilingual welcoming songs. A special appearance by Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano will also be made as the group performs a special tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Other celebration pieces throughout the Encuentro gathering will include dances and music from various countries and regions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Huellas, a group from the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, will perform pop contemporary Christian music to a Caribbean beat, Thursday night. The musicians and singers perform throughout Florida and use music to touch hearts with a message of hope.
PHOTO EXHIBIT: Participants at Encuentro 2000 will enjoy a photo exhibit, Portraits of the Spirit: Portraits of Faith and Community in Los Angeles. The exhibit will be in the Los Angeles Convention Center lobby. It will feature work of award-winning Boston photographer Jerry Berndt, who grew up in Milwaukee and whose works appears in museums internationally.
WATER: Water, the symbol of baptism and new life, will have a special place at Encuentro 2000 and participants are asked to bring about ½ cup of water from home. The water can be from a lake, a stream, or even one's kitchen sink. The water will be poured into special vessels as the participants arrive and then poured in to the baptismal font during the Gathering Rite. The mixed water, representing many places, will then be used for the Sprinkling Rite as participants renew their baptismal promises.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM: A youth and young adult program will include breakout sessions designed especially for youth 13-18 and young adults 19-25. Emcees for the program include Jesse Manibusan, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist; and Brian Keith Johnson, who has been a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, retreat master and revivalist in over 36 cities. Session leaders include Georgiana Sanchez, a Chumash and O'odham storyteller; Reinardo (Rey) Malavé, Coordinator of Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Orlando, Florida; Mary Annette Mandley-Turner, producer and hostess of Connection Point, a live radio program about the African American Catholic Community and co-founder of the National African American Catholic Youth Ministry Network; Colette A. Kennett, co-founder of "BRIDGES," a program for racial harmony; Michael Youngblood, chairperson of the National African American Catholic Youth Ministry Network; Alicia Marill, D. Min., founder of Amor en Accion, a lay missionary community in the Archdiocese of Miami; Arturo Chavez, who has developed an innovative organization in San Antonio, Texas, called JOVEN, (Juvenile Outreach and Vocational/Educational Network), which reaches out to Mexican American youth at risk of school failure, gang involvement and substance abuse; Bernardo Reyes, youth minister who gives retreat workshops and presentations in the Diocese of Oakland, California; Alicia Bondanella, Youth and Young Adult Coordinator for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Participants also will consider the meaning of communion at a session where several bishops will dialogue with small groups. Those seeking more information can contact Mary Mencarini Campbell, Encuentro 2000 Youth and Young Adult Program coordinator, by telephone at 202-541-3365 or by e-mail at mcampbell@nccbuscc.org.
REGISTRATION: Encuentro 2000 is drawing participants from all around the country. The top ten states in order in registration are California, Texas, Michigan, New York, Florida, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Arizona and Minnesota. Late registration began June 3 - Cost $150. For further information on registration contact Conference Registration at 1-800-805-3976 or go to www.encuentro2000.org/register.
EXHIBITORS: Exhibitors from around the country will be on hand. Among them are Adrian Dominican Sisters, Africa Faith & Justice Network, Al's Art, American Bible Society, American Church, Benziger/Glencoe, Bread for the World, Buena Vista, California Province of the Society of Jesus, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Communications Campaign, Catholic Family Life Insurance, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network, Catholic Relief Services, Catholics United for the Faith, Center of Concern, Christian Life Community-USA, Conventual Franciscans of California, Dennis Doyle Celtic Harp, Diamante Publications, Divine Word College, Family Theater Productions/Family Rosary, Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, Franciscan School of Theology, Granda Liturgical Arts, Group Publishing, Inc., Hi-Time Pflaum, Holy Names Sisters Justice Cards, Hope for the Children Foundation, Instituto Fe y Vida, International Catholic Stewardship Council, Jackson Pacific Inc., Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Latin American Committee of the Diocese of Phoenix, Liguori Publications, Little Rock Scripture Study, Liturgical Apostolate Center, Liturgical Press, Liturgy Training Publications, Loyola Marymount Univ. Center for Pastoral Life, Los Angeles Vocations Office, Lucy's Cards, Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, Mayan Women's Cooperative, Mexican American Cultural Center, Migration & Refugee Services, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers, National Catholic AIDS Network, National Catholic Educational Association, National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities, National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD), National Council for Catholic Evangelization (NCCE), National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc., National Organization of Catechists for Hispanics (NOCH), NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Oblate School of Theology, Odyssey Network, Oregon Catholic Press, Pauline Books and Media/Librería Paulinas, PAX Catholic Communications, Pax Christi USA, PIME Missionaries, Rainbows, Regina Tours, RENEW International, Resources for Christian Living/Thomas More Press, Right to Life League of Southern California, Sacred Hearts Kid's Club, San Diego Women's Bean Project/Catholic Charities, Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs, S.J. Holy Treasures & Gifts, Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Mission Office, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. Anthony's Messenger, St. John's Seminary College, Tesoros Christian Traders, Trinity Mission Center, USA/Canada Council of Serra International, USCC Publishing Services, U.S. Conference of Secular Institutes, Weston Jesuit School of Theology, William H. Sadlier, Inc., and World Library Publications.
HOTEL UPDATE: As of June 5, The Encuentro 2000 block at the Holiday Inn City Center, the Holiday Inn Downtown, the Best Western, Figueroa, and Hyatt hotels are sold out. The L.A. Athletic Club at 97 percent, The Marriott at 93 percent, the Biltmore at 76 percent and the Wilshire at 64 percent. For hotel reservations, contact Par Avion Meetings and Conventions, Inc. at 1-800-927-8137 or www.encuentro2000.org/housing.
MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media who want credentials to cover Encuentro 2000 should consult the Web, www.Encuentro2000.org and hit "Media Resources" for the media advisory and credential application form. Media applications can be faxed to (202) 541-3173.
WEB: To keep atop Encuentro 2000 developments go frequently to www.encuentro2000.org