The Quinquennial Congress kicks off Tuesday, July 3, at the Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree in Pittsburgh, PA. Attendees may arrive anytime during the day. The first function is dinner at 6 p.m., followed by introductions and announcements at 7, and the opening Mass at 7:15. Bishop Daniel Conlon, DD, of Steubenville, OH, will preside. There will be a procession of cultures (with attendees encouraged to wear native costume or attire).
Wednesday begins with morning prayer and announcements at 9 a.m., followed by keynote speaker Fr. Eric Law at 10. The keynote presentation will last one hour, followed by a short period for questions.
After lunch and free time, there will be three concurrent sessions at 2 p.m. General attendees will join "Congress Fraternities," while spiritual assistants gather for their first session.
Then at 4 p.m., Mass will be celebrated in the Korean language by Fr. Francis Kim, OFM.
The day will culminate with a 4th of July Dinner celebration at 6 p.m.
The rest of the Congress will follow a similar format, beginning with morning prayer and announcements at 9 each day. On some days morning prayer will feature songs in different languages.
On Thursday Fr. Law will deliver another keynote speech at 10, followed by questions. At 2, the Congress Fraternities and spiritual assistant sessions run concurrently. Then at 4, Fr. Peter Vettickanakudy, OFM Cap, will celebrate Mass in the Indian, Syro Malabar Rite. That evening, at 7:30, there will be Part 1 of a Festival of Cultures, with the Multicultural Commission and Fr. Law facilitating.
Friday features off-theme workshops at 10, which repeat in the afternoon at 2. The workshops are:
-- Patti Normile, SFO, on "Caregiving and the Elderly."
-- Ed Shirley, SFO, "Spirituality in Today's Secular World."
-- Ron Pihokker, SFO, "Secular Franciscans and the Catechetical Ministry."
-- Javier Orozco, SFO, "Francis, Divine Providence and Our Secular Life."
At the same time, spiritual assistants will have their own workshop.
An Eastern Rite Divine Liturgy at 4:00, and then at 8, there will be a social.
Saturday returns to the themed format, with a keynote presentation by Fr. Law at 10. At 2, the Congress Fraternities and spiritual assistant sessions will run concurrently. Fr. Moises Villalta, OFM Cap., will celebrate Mass in Spanish at 4. Then at 8, Part 2 of the Festival of Cultures will take place, featuring music and dancing.
On Sunday the Congress concludes with morning prayer and announcements, followed by closing remarks by national leaders and a "traveler's style" bagged lunch.