Welcome to the Mission Parish High School Youth Ministry!

Our aim is to help our high school youth engage in their Catholic faith. For most, we prepare them to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This preparation is a two-year program. Once confirmed, a youth has the opportunity to join our Core Team to support the upcoming Candidates. Also, we welcome youth who have already received their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, & First Holy Communion) at an earlier age. After all, Faith Formation does not stop after Sacraments are received!

When? Sundays 4pm-5:25pm, starting September 11 through May 2023

Where? La Sala, accessible from the Rose Garden

What You Need to Register:

Complete a Registration and our TWO Release Forms
- If registering two or more Candidates, please complete separate forms for EACH Candidate

Registration Form General Release Form Medical Release Form

2. If applicable, we need a copy of the youth's Baptism and First Communion Certificate

3. Submit Forms via...

- Paper Forms and Certificate copies can be mailed or dropped off (see address and drop off locations in 'Contact Us' below). Whether dropped off or by mail, please place forms and copies in an envelope and write "Attn: Carol & Amy"
- Electronic Forms (Scanned or take a clear Picture) can be emailed to both Carol and Amy at dre@missionsandiego.org AND reledadmin@missionsandiego.org

4. Registration Fees (does not include Weekend Retreat)

Early Registration Fee (until July 31): $125 per Candidate

Registration Fee (August 1-31): $135 per Candidate

Late Registration Fee (September 1 and later): $150 per Candidate

- Fees help cover the cost of program materials and supplies
- Payments can be made by cash, check, or card. Card payments can be made over the phone. Make checks out to "Mission San Diego de Alcala" with "Youth Ministry" in the memo
- Payment plans and tuition assistance are available for tight budgets

NOTE: FOR REGISTRATIONS AFTER SEPTEMBER, MAKE-UP WORK will be required.

Contact Us:

Director of Religious Education, Carol Gamara, at (619) 624-0900, or dre@missionsandiego.org

Religious Education Administrative Assistant, Amy Faley, at 619-283-1371, or reledadmin@missionsandiego.org

Mailing Address -- Mission San Diego de Alcala, Attn: Carol & Amy, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

Drop Off Locations (Write "Attn: Carol & Amy" on the envelope): Religious Ed Building with prior notice, as our office hours vary; the Parish Office mail slot anytime; or the Parish Gift Shop 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm

FAQs:

When can a youth begin Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation?

9th Grade

How long is the Sacramental Preparation?

Two Catechetical Years. For example, if your child begins Sacramental Prep for Confirmation in September 2022, they should receive Confirmation in May 2024.

My youth has not received Baptism or First Communion...is this the right program?

Yes! In the two-year Confirmation preparation, we will give the Catechumen (non-baptized person seeking entry into the Church) supplemental Sacramental Prep for Baptism and First Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the two years, the Catechumen will receive all THREE Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
The same supplemental preparation occurs for the Candidate (baptized person seeking Sacraments) who would like to receive their First Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the two years, the Candidate will receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation at the Confirmation Mass.

What is required for youth in Sacramental prep?

Weekly celebration of a Sunday Mass. The Body of Christ suffers if you are not there. That is why our global Catholic Church obligates us to celebrate every week.
Regular attendance to Sunday classes, preferably no more than three absences; if your family needs to be away for a weekend, let us know. "Homework" may be given to cover what was missed.
Youth participation in one Day Retreat and one overnight weekend retreat, each year of preparation. These our Diocese requires.

Interested in Home School Sacramental Prep?

You can! But our Diocese requires your parish to be involved in the process. We still do this together!

That means if you contact us ready for your child to receive a Sacrament, we will not accept preparation done in private which had no oversight by a pastor or Director of Catechetical Ministry (aka Director of Religious Education)

So, inform your Parish from the beginning! Or ASAP, if you are already underway.

Contact Director of Religious Education, Carol Gamara:

619-624-0900 or dre@missionsandiego.org

Our Diocese gives us these guidelines for the good of all:

Catechetics Diocesan Policy

Policy Highlights:

"In situations where some families choose to “home school” their children, it must be understood that these efforts cannot be done independently of the parish."

"The primary responsibility of parents for the education and formation of their children in the Faith cannot be interpreted in an isolated way, since the family is an integral part of the larger ecclesial community. All religious education must be carried out in a way that builds unity within the Church. No home schooling can be tolerated which does not promote the understanding that being a Christian is not a private matter of individual choice but rather of a personal vocation within the context of the Church lived out in the experience of the parish community."

"Home schooling parents are responsible for the participation of their children/young person in the immediate sacramental preparation as required or approved by the parish, through interviews for sacramental readiness, practice for sacramental celebrations, appropriate initiation rites and retreats."

"Home schooling parents must participate in parish parent meetings and parent preparation programs for the sacraments."

"Parents have the responsibility to participate in catechetical formation so that they will be able to prepare their child/young person for the sacraments, in collaboration with the parish community. This is supported by Canon Law (780)."

"With regard to the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation parents must ensure that their children/young people are correctly prepared and connected to the local parish."

"As parishioners, families are expected to participate in the parish Sunday liturgy."

"The pastor and *DCM will require a periodic progress report to be made by home school parents."

*That is, Director of Catechetical Ministry, aka, Director of Religious Education

"The parish DCM should serve as a resource to parents. Recommended textbooks and other appropriate materials must be used in all sessions. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the General Directory for Catechesis are excellent resources for parents and catechists."