Please Note: This page is for a past Convention.
The most recent Convention page can be found at scrc.org/convention/ .
  SCRC Catholic Renewal 2014 SCRC Convention: You Are the Light of the World  
About the Convention
Friday, August 29 - Sunday, August 31 2014
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California

The annual SCRC Catholic Renewal Convention takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California every Labor Day Weekend. This year's Convention theme is "You Are the Light of the World".

Southern California Renewal Communities (SCRC) organizes the event, and 2014 will be the 43rd Convention. Before coming to Anaheim in 1976, the Convention was held at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and then in Long Beach.

Every year thousands of people come to the Convention to hear dozens of world-renowned speakers, learn about their faith, and fulfill the goal of the Charismatic Renewal: being transformed by discovering a new openness to the reality of the Holy Spirit.

The SCRC Catholic Renewal Convention seeks to fulfill the promise of the Charismatic Renewal and provide an atmosphere that is energized by unified praise and worship, solid Catholic teaching, and powerful prayer, while inviting the Holy Spirit to be present.

The guest speakers often note a personal in-filling of the Holy Spirit as they give their presentations. As a result, their teachings even more poignantly pierce the hearts of the listeners in the way that the Spirit intends for each. The liturgies seem to become more alive with even deeper meaning when coupled with all these other elements. The opportunities for prayer ministry provide a connection with God's healing touch that is life changing.

With such a welcoming of the Spirit, there is always a sweeping, loving and healing response upon every open heart, according to each person's need. At the close of the Convention, it is often heard, time and time again, that the hearts and minds of the people have been brought to a new level of faith, hope and peace that they never, ever expected to achieve in this lifetime. It's truly a taste of heaven on earth. Our last three popes, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Paul VI, have strongly endorsed the Charismatic Renewal as being a precious resource for the life of the Church.

The 2014 SCRC Convention provides a choice of programs: Regular Talks, a special track (details to be announced later), Teen Conference, Children's Program, and Young Adult activities. All run simultaneously and offer a wide variety for different ages and interests. For Regular and special track ticket holders, a registrant will attend a talk (Regular Talk registrants have a choice of talks) during each of 10 sessions spread out over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Each talk has a speaker (sometimes two) who will discuss the announced topic, as well as musicians and singers who will provide music ministry. Every evening there is a large liturgy in the Arena. On Saturday night there is a mass and healing service.

Please check back in the coming weeks and months as more details are announced, including speakers, talks, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
• How many people attend the Convention?
Every year we see thousands of registrants to the Convention. Many thousands more attend the free concerts, masses, and the incredibly popular Saturday healing service. Because not everyone is required to register, the exact attendance number is not known. However, in recent years the estimated attendance was approximately 10,000 people .
• What does "Renewal Convention" mean?
The Renewal Convention is a gathering designed to promote the mission of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which is also SCRC's mission....to make known the transforming power of Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father. This type of convention provides an atmosphere that is energized by unified praise and worship, solid Catholic teaching, and powerful prayer, while inviting the Holy Spirit to be present.

The guest speakers often note a personal in-filling of the Holy Spirit as they give their presentations. As a result, their teachings even more poignantly pierce the hearts of the listeners in the way that the Spirit intends for each. The Liturgies seem to become more alive with even deeper meaning when coupled with all these other elements. The opportunities for prayer ministry provide a connection with God's healing touch that is life changing.

With such a welcoming of the Spirit, there is always a sweeping, loving and healing response upon every open heart, according to each person's need. At the close of these conventions, it is often heard, time and time again, that the hearts and minds of the people have been brought to a new level of faith, hope and peace that they never, ever expected to achieve in this lifetime. It's truly a taste of heaven on earth.

Our last three popes, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Paul VI, have strongly endorsed the Charismatic Renewal as being a precious resource for the life of the Church.
• Is the Convention only for Catholics?
Certainly not. While the Convention assuredly follows Roman Catholic teachings and practices, Protestants and other Christians attend in large numbers. Usually they are attracted by the wealth of information delivered by the large slate of speakers as well as the special opportunity for renewal from the Holy Spirit.

The Convention also generates tremendous interest in all Christians who are interested in healing and spiritual warfare, as there are usually multiple speakers who provide a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to all who will listen.
• How is this Convention different from other conferences I attend?
The answer depends, of course, on which other conferences you are talking about. However, the most strikingly distinct aspect of the SCRC Convention is the focus on the Holy Spirit. Attendees come to the Convention not only to learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but to experience its presence as well.

The SCRC Convention has a choice of several programs: Regular Talks, Set Free track, Teen Conference, Children's Program, and Vietnamese Conference. All run simultaneously and offer a wide variety for different ages and interests.

Another distinct aspect of the Convention is the large slate of speakers available to registrants who choose the Regular Talks ticket. During 10 separate sessions, registrants have a choice of 4 talks to attend, in addition to the liturgies, healing service, concerts and more. Registrants specifically sign up to attend a talk of their choice and are given a ticket that specifies their choice of talk. While this means that sometimes a talk might fill up, it also means that you are assured a spot in the talks that you sign up for.

• Is it a national Convention?
As the largest Charismatic convention in the United States, speakers and registrants attend the Convention from all over the country and throughout the world. In 2013, the Convention features Fr. Gino Henriques, CSsR from Singapore and Bishop Gordon Bennett, the former Bishop of Jamaica.

For those who live in communities that do not frequently have access to Charismatic speakers or where the Charismatic community is not strong, the annual SCRC Convention allows them to travel to one place see many of the most popular speakers in a single weekend. For others, the appeal of the largest Charismatic gathering in the country is a draw in and of itself.
• Do you sell recordings of the talks? How do I buy them?
All the recordings from every Convention are available on our website's Online Store. You can search by Convention year, speaker, category, or do a word search of titles. More recent Conventions have the descriptions of the talks to help guide your selection.

During the Convention, the recordings are sold onsite. You can buy DVDs of the Arena talks at the SCRC bookstore in Exhibit Hall A and the other talks at the recordings booth.
• Are there things I can do for free? Do I need to pay to see the exhibitors or attend mass?
All liturgies, the healing service, Friday night concert, and entry into Hall A to see exhibitors are free of charge and do not require registration. Please keep in mind that the city of Anaheim charges a parking fee. To attend a talk, you will need to register for the Convention. One-day tickets are available, and tickets are also transferable.
• Can I go to any talks I want?
Generally speaking, you may only attend the talks you have registered for. You will be given a name badge with your talk choices listed on it, and this will be checked before you are admitted into the talk.

However, because the talks marked as "A" are in the Arena where there is ample seating, any registrant may attend these talks regardless of the choice made at registration. On Friday, registered children or teens may attend with the parent or guardian who has registered for a talk.
• What if I want to change my talk choices?
SCRC will not change your ticket once it has been issued. Please keep in mind that the SCRC Convention is organized by a very small staff and so can easily be overwhelmed by requests for changes or special accommodations.

However, in certain situations you may still be able to attend talks that aren't on your ticket. Because the talks marked as "A" are in the Arena where there is ample seating, any registrant may attend these Arena talks regardless of the choice made during registration. Also, in very limited situations, the usher at the door of a non-Arena talk may allow entry to registrants who registered for another talk, provided there is space available. The usher will ask you to wait until after the talk has begun. Please keep in mind that space is limited in non-Arena talks, and so this option may not always be available. If you choose to pursue this option, please do so courteously by waiting silently outside the room allowing others to enter. Registrants who have a guaranteed spot in the talks must be allowed seating before you can be let inside.
• What if I bought a ticket to the Convention but can no longer attend?
This situation is discussed in our Refund Policy, which you should review now. In short, there are no refunds after August 12. However, all tickets are transferable. You are invited to give the ticket to someone else who can attend. If you are unable to transfer your ticket, please consider the ticket a donation to SCRC. SCRC operates solely from the generous donations from people like you.
• I have a teen / I am a teen who is planning to attend, what do I need to know?
All teens must have a parent, guardian, or adult chaperone (over 25 years old) registered for the Convention. The adult does not need to attend the Teen Conference but can register for any of the talks or programs. During registration you will be asked for a contact phone number. If an problem occurs we will try to contact the listed adult at that phone number or find him in the talk or program he attending.

In some situations, teens are required to attend the Teen Conference as part of a confirmation requirement, and a parent may be reluctant to purchase an additional ticket for himself. In such cases, you are advised to coordinate with other parents from the same confirmation class, as there is more than likely a parent who is planning to attend the Convention and already registered. With the adult's permission, you may assign this person as a chaperone for your teen, but there must be no more than 10 teens for any 1 chaperone.

If the teen is part of a youth group, the youth group leader typically handles registration and contacts with SCRC, while the teen coordinates with the youth group leader. If your youth group is being handled differently and the teen is registering individually while being part of a group, please let SCRC know so we can handle the ticket appropriately.

Youth group leaders can find information here.
• What's the difference between the Teen Conference and the Regular Talks?
The Teen Conference does not have a choice of talks, while the Regular Talk program does. The Teen Conference is oriented towards teens, with a special focus on music, skits, and a very lively and energetic presentation. The Regular Talks, on the other hand, are oriented more towards adults while allowing registrants to choose their talk based on their personal needs or interests. The style of the presentation of the talks will typically vary depending on the speaker.

The other large difference is that the Teen Conference kicks off later on Friday with an Arena talk on Friday afternoon and a teen-oriented concert following Friday night mass. Full teen sessions are on on Saturday and Sunday. The Regular Talks, however, begin Friday morning. Teens who have registered for the Teen Conference can attend Regular Talks with their registered parent/guardian, provided seating is available. The Teen program itself does not begin until later on Friday.
• Is the SCRC Convention's Teen Conference like R.E. Congress or Steubenville?
The SCRC Teen Conference has elements of both (such as teachings and praise), but it is more like Steubenville's conferences because it includes prayer ministry and a healing service, which Congress does not. The SCRC Teen Conference also takes place during the regular SCRC Convention allowing families to attend the Convention during the same weekend and even attend the same talks on Friday if they choose. And the Sunday closing mass brings together all the Convention attendees for a final faith-filled gathering.
• Are there Spanish language talks or events?
All events and talks, with the exception of the Vietnamese Conference, are conducted in English.
• What's the best way to register?
It is best to Register Online for the following reasons:
  • It's quick: registration online involves mostly clicking your selection and entering in payment information.
  • It's less confusing. When registering through the mail people can become confused by the number of choices, the Set Free track, how much to pay, etc., causing them to fill out the form incorrectly. When you register online, your forms are checked for you, and you will not be allowed to register incorrectly in most cases.
  • You get your first choice of talks every time. You do not need to choose a second choice talk as backup because once you register, you are placed into your first choice immediately.
  • You get immediate confirmation. Once your payment has been received, you receive an email from SCRC confirming your registration along with your choices. If you register by mail, there could be a problem with your registration and it could be days or weeks before it is resolved. And if it lost in the mail, SCRC may never know you tried to register.
  • You get a free downloadable recording, "Living Each Day By the Power of Faith" by Barbara Shlemon Ryan.
  • It helps SCRC. Online registration is far easier and cheaper for SCRC to process, allowing more time and money to remain available for SCRC's vital mission.
If you are unable to register online, registration forms are available for download at the bottom of the registration info page.