2023-2024 Youth Ministry Year
The Church of the Nativity High School Youth Ministry Program fosters the spiritual, intellectual, and social growth of young people and empowers them to serve as disciples of Jesus while drawing them to responsible participation in the life of the Church.
The Church of the Nativity High School Youth Ministry Program involves 4 components and is based on these church documents: A Vision of Youth Ministry, Renewing the Vision, and Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age - USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).
1. Educational/Catechesis
This is accomplished mainly through our Sunday Topic Nights from September to June. Sunday Topic Nights are about ongoing Faith Formation and challenging teens to apply and live all aspects of their Catholic faith in everyday life. Attending our Sunday Topic Nights for 2 years provides teens with the faith formation background to become eligible for the Confirmation Immediate Preparation Classes. Our Sunday Topic Night topics come from the documents listed above, our 4 year curriculum from St. Mary's Press, and our Topic Survey of the most requested topics from the parents and teens at the start of each year. This method allows for both a Catechetical systematic structure and the flexibility to cover current events.
2. Service Projects
There are regularly scheduled Service Projects as well as many other pop-up service projects offered to the teens during the year.
3. Social Events
We do Social Events about every other month and the teens vote on what to do.
4. Confirmation Program
The Confirmation Immediate Preparation Program runs from February through May every year. The “Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class” is specifically and only education on the Sacrament of Confirmation for eligible (those who have been in our program for 2 years) sophomores, juniors, or seniors and is in addition to our Sunday Topic Nights. It involves classes, a Retreat, small homework assignments, and successfully completing a Final Interview. Confirmation is only 1 or the 4 parts along a teen’s Faith Formation journey within the Nativity Youth Ministry Program, not the end or “graduation” from Faith Formation and Youth Ministry. It is important to remember it’s place in the bigger picture of overall and ongoing Youth Ministry. Teens are expected to continue with their Youth Ministry involvement after Confirmation as part of their lifelong education in our Catholic faith and to live out their Confirmation commitments. “There is more to parish youth ministry than preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and it's celebration which is only one component or part of the total process of catechesis and faith development for adolescents”. (Diocesan Policy #310)
For more information on Confirmation go to our Confirmation page.
If you would like more information on the Nativity High School Youth Ministry Program please contact Mike James, Director of Catechetical Ministry, at mjames@nativitycatholic.org.
2023-2024 Youth Ministry Registration
Registration for the 2023-2024 Youth Ministry year is now open. Why is it important for all teens to register for Youth Ministry? We track all teens in the parish throughout their high school years whether they go to a public or Catholic high school. It is important for us to have them on our class lists and know what high school they attend to determine their eligibility for Confirmation Immediate Preparation Classes at the appropriate time. For more information on the sacrament of Confirmation please see our Confirmation page here on this website.
To register for Youth Ministry properly:
- If your family isn't already registered parishionerers please fill out the Parish Registration Form
- Fill out the Youth Ministry Registration Form and Topic Survey
- Mail all forms back to the parish along with the Registration Fee by September 17, 2023.
2023-2024 - New Teen and Parent Orientation
Our New Teen and Parent Orientation will be Sunday September 17, 2023 from 5-6:15pm in the Commons. All freshmen, new teens, and most importantly their parents are invited to come and hear about the Youth Ministry Program and Confirmation Program requirements. This is the only meeting we ask new parents to attend during their teen’s 4 years in the program so they can hear how the Youth Ministry Program works, especially the Confirmation piece of Youth Ministry in sophomore, junior, or senior year. There will be plenty of time for questions after the presentation. This orientation meeting is actually pretty important because each parish has a different model of Youth Ministry and different model of Confirmation Preparation so it is important to know and understand how we do it at Church of the Nativity. Returning teens and families are not required to attend as it will be information they heard in previous years.
2023-2024 - Get to Know You Night
Our second meeting on September 24, 2023 is for all freshmen-seniors from 5-6:15pm. It will be a "Get To Know You Night" where the new freshmen from last year's grade 8 of Faith Formation and the Nativity School and any new teens are introduced to the returning teens to do sharing and icebreaker activities to help ease their transition into High School. We will also discuss our learning model and small groups for the first part of the year.
October 1, 2023 - Being Catholic: The Cliff's Notes View
On Sunday October 1 we will start our topic of “Being Catholic: The Cliffs Notes View”. Why are we Catholic? What are some core Catholic beliefs? What are some core Catholic practices and attitudes? We will answer these questions, play some icebreaker games, go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
October 8, 2023 - Being Catholic: The Cliff's Notes View - Part 2
On Sunday October 8 we will continue our topic of “Being Catholic: The Cliffs Notes View”. We will discuss original sin, covenants, creation, and heaven as foundational aspects of our faith. We will also look at how Catholics practice their faith and the moral code that guides it. Finally, we will learn about faith and reason. We will also play some icebreaker games, go over the 3 bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
October 15, 2023 - Knowing God: Reason and Revelation
On Sunday October 15 our topic will be “Knowing God: Reason and Revelation”. What are the differences between natural revelation and divine revelation? How do scripture and tradition help us learn about God? What is and how does the Magisterium work? We will study these questions and more, play some icebreaker games, go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
October 22, 2023 - Safe Environment Training
In compliance with the Diocese of San Diego’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the topic of Safe Environment will be introduced to your teenager at our Topic Night on Sunday October 22, 2023 from 5-6:15pm. Emails will be sent to all parents with a Parent Letter, Parent Conversation Resource from the Diocese, and the PowerPoint that your teens will be shown according to their grade level. If you have any questions please email mjames@nativitycatholic.org
For more information on the Diocesan Safe Environment Program go to https://www.safeinourdiocese.org/
October 27, 2023 - Movie Night
On Friday October 27 we will have our first social night of the year with a Movie Night in the Commons from 7-9:30pm. We will have pizza and snacks (on the parish) as we watch the movie.
A few reminders:
- Feel free to bring your favorite movie snack and we will also have snacks available
- This night is open to all Youth Group members and their friends. Feel free to invite any of your friends who would like to join us
- The movie title is to be announced but will definitely be age appropriate for teens, nothing Rated R
October 29, 2023 - Youth Synod on The Eucharist
Our Youth Synod will be on Sunday October 29 from 5-6:15pm. This 2nd Synod is on The Eucharist. Teens will be asked about their thoughts on 3 questions related to the Eucharist and their responses will be recorded anonymously and reported back to the Diocese. We will also play some icebreaker games, go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
November 5, 2023 - Knowing God: Reason and Revelation - Part 2
On November 5 we will continue our topic on “Knowing God: Reason and Revelation”. We will learn how Catholics interpret the bible, how God inspired the bible, what inerrancy is, and more. We will also play some icebreaker games, go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
November 12, 2023 - Scavenger Hunt
On November 12 we will do a Catholic Scavenger Hunt throughout the church grounds. We will end with prayer time in the chapel. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
November 19, 2023 - Service Project / Giving Tree Ornament Making Night
Instead of a Topic Night we will do a Parish Service Project. We will make the Parish Giving Tree Ornaments. These ornaments help to generate over 400 gifts for the less fortunate during the holiday season for military families, homeless teens, a food bank, and more. We will also talk about how service is a part of the beatitudes and go over it's roots in scripture in Matthew 25: 31-46. We will also play some icebreakers, have small groups, and study / discuss the readings from mass. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
Pictures from our Giving Tree Ornament Making Service Project are now up on our website at https://nativitycatholic.weconnect.com/photos/view/id/82489
November 26, 2023 - No Class / Thanksgiving Break
There will be no class on November 26, 2023 because of Thanksgiving break. We will resume on December 3.
December 3, 2023 - The Bible's Big Picture
On December 3 we will continue with Chapter 3 of our curriculum, The Bible's Big Picture, and talk about salvation history, covenant, the Patriarchs, the Exodus, organization of the bible, and more. We will also talk about the 1st Sunday of Advent, go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
December 10, 2023 - Service Project - Sorting Parish Giving Tree Gifts & The Bible's Big Picture - Pt. 2
On December 10 we will do another Service Project sorting the Parish Giving Tree Gifts and preparing them for pickup and delivery. We will also talk about the 2nd Sunday of Advent and continue our unit on The Bible's Big Picture relating to salvation history, covenant, the Patriarchs, the Exodus, organization of the bible, and more. We will also go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
Pictures from our Giving Tree Gift Sorting Service Project are now up on our website at https://nativitycatholic.weconnect.com/photos/view/id/82491
December 17, 2023 - Youth Group Christmas Party
Sunday December 17 will be our Youth group Christmas Party. We will have Christmas themed icebreaker games, Christmas refreshments, and preview the readings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will also talk about the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, go over the bible readings from mass, and have small sharing groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
Holiday Schedule
There will be no class on December 24 or December 31 due to the Christmas break. We resume on January 7, 2024.
January 7, 2024 - The Bible's Big Picture - Part 3
Our Topic Nights resume on January 7. We will finish our chapter from our curriculum on The Bible’s Big Picture, go over the readings from mass, and have small groups. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
January 14, 2024 - No Class
There will be no class on January 14 due to the Martin Luther King holiday. We resume on January 21.
January 21, 2024 - Faith
On January 21 our topic will be The Creed: Faith. We will learn about faith, trust, and love from God and how they work together to help us plus the characteristics of faith. We will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
January 28, 2024 - Faith - Pt. 2
On January 28 we will continue our topic on The Creed: Faith. We will learn about faith, trust, and love from God and how they work together to help us plus the characteristics of faith. We will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
February 4, 2024 - God Our Father
On February 4 we will continue our unit on The Creed and study God in his role as Father as part of the Trinity. We will also learn about monotheism and St. Thomas Acquinas' Proofs for the Existence of God. We will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
February 11, 2024 - No Class
There will be no class on February 11. We resume on February 25.
February 18, 2024 - No Class
There will be no class on February 18. We resume on February 25.
February 25, 2024 - God Our Father - Pt. 2
On Sunday February 25 our topic will be God Our Father – Pt. 2. We will study the images used to show God as a father in the bible. We will also learn about St. Thomas Acquinas’ Proofs for the Existence of God and specifically cover the phrases “The Father Almighty” and “Creator of Heaven and Earth” from the Creed. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
March 3, 2024 - Service Project
On Sunday March 3 we will have a service project making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Fr. Joes Villages. Parents - please sign up to bring some of the needed supplies at our SignUpGenius page. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
March 10, 2024 - The Human Person (Humanity of Jesus)
On Sunday March 10 our topic will be The Human Person. We will study how we are made in the image of God, the 2 creation stories from Genesis, and the relationship God intended for us. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
March 17, 2024 - The Human Person (Humanity of Jesus) - Pt. 2
On Sunday March 17 we will continue our topic on The Human Person. We will study Original Sin, temptation, the story of the fall, and free will. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
March 24, 2024 - The Promise of a Messiah
On Sunday March 24 our topic will be The Promise of a Messiah. We will study the results of original sin, God’s forgiveness, and Old Testament covenants with Noah and Abraham. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
March 31, 2024 - No Class
There will be no class on Sunday March 31. Happy Easter to all our Youth Ministry families! Class resumes on April 7.
April 7, 2024 - The Promise of a Messiah - Pt. 2
On Sunday April 7 our topic will be The Promise of a Messiah - part 2. We will study the Mosaic Law vs. the new Covenant in Jesus and God’s forgiveness. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
April 14, 2024 - Jesus Christ - True God and True Man
On Sunday April 14 our topic will be Jesus Christ – True God and True Man. We will study the backgrounds of the 4 gospels, how the canon list was developed, and the incarnation of Jesus. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
April 21, 2024 - Jesus Christ - True God and True Man - Pt. 2
On Sunday April 21 our topic will be Jesus Christ – True God and True Man - Part 2. We will study the role of Mary as the Mother of God, the Annunciation, Immaculate Conception, and 4 common heresies about Jesus. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
April 28, 2024 - Jesus' Message and Mission
On Sunday April 28 our topic will be Jesus’ Message and Mission. We will study how Jesus was raised, his baptism, his early public life, and his use of parables. Plus, we will also go over the bible readings from mass, have small sharing groups, and play some icebreakers. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
There will be no class on May 12 for Mother's Day or May 26th for Memorial Day.