2022-2023 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. Some people incorrectly refer to our Sunday Topic Nights as "Confirmation Class". Sunday Topic Nights are not about Confirmation. 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 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 teens who have been in our program for 2 years) sophomores, juniors, or seniors and is in addition to our Sunday Topic Nights or Catholic schooling. It only involves a few classes, a Retreat, small homework assignments, and successfully completing a Final Interview. Confirmation is only 1 of 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 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. For more information on Confirmation go to our Confirmation page.
Confirmation Philisophy
Diocesan Policy #310
1. "Preparation for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation should be seen as a component of the ongoing catechesis and faith development of the candidates."
Note:
"There is more to parish Youth Ministry than preparation of 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."
If you would like more information on the Nativity High School Youth Ministry Program please contact Mike James, Director of Catechetical Ministry, at [email protected].
2022-2023 Youth Ministry Registration
Registration for the 2022-2023 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 you aren't already a registered parishioner please fill out the Parish Registration Form.
- If your teen attends a public high school fill out the Youth Ministry Registration Form and Topic Survey and mail them back to the parish along with the Registration Fee.
- If your teen attends a Catholic high school and will also be participating in Youth Ministry Sunday Topic Night meetings fill out the Youth Ministry Registration Form and Topic Survey and mail them back to the parish along with the Registration Fee.
- If your teen attends a Catholic High School and will not be participating in the Youth Ministry Sunday Topic Night meetings but wishes to stay on our class lists for Confirmation Preparation when eligible fill out the Youth Ministry Registration Form and mail it back to the parish. No Registration Fee or Topic Survey is needed.
2022-2023 - New Teen and Parent Orientation
Our New Teen and Parent Orientation will be Sunday September 18, 2022 from 5-6:15pm. 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.
2022-2023 - Get to Know You Night
Our second meeting on September 25, 2022 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 2, 2022 - St. Vincent de Paul Service Project and Relationships Topic
On Sunday we will do a Service Project writing cards of encouragement and support for the homeless community at St. Vincent De Paul. In conjunction with the Nativity School students, 100 "Blessing Bags", hygiene kits, and the encouragement cards will be sent. We will also start our unit on Relationships, play some icebreakers, have small groups, and 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.
October 9, 2022 - Relationships and Communication
On Sunday our topic will be Relationships and Communication. How does communication tie our relationships together? How do we communicate in our relationship with God? How does God communicate with us? We will look at the 4 aspects of effective communication and how that helps us in our relationship with God. We will cover these questions and more plus 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.
October 16, 2022 - Revelation
On Sunday our unit on Relationships continues with Revelation. How does God teach us about himself so we can be close to him? What is salvation history and infallibility? What does God's revelation challenge us to do? We will cover these questions and more plus 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.
October 23, 2022 - 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 3, 2021 from 5-6:15pm. Emails were sent to all parents on 10/21/22 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 [email protected]
For more information on the Diocesan Safe Environment Program go to https://www.safeinourdiocese.org/
October 30, 2022 Topic Night - "Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory"
Sunday’s topic will be “Heaven”. It was the #3 most requested topic from the teens in our Topic Survey. What are the 3 possibilities when we die? How are those 3 possibilities determined? What will heaven be like? Who is in heaven? We will cover these questions and more plus 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.
November 6, 2022 - Seeking Intimacy with God
Sunday’s topic will be “Seeking Intimacy with God”. How can we nurture our relationship with God? How does God call us to conversion? How do we grow in our connections with God through the church? We will cover these questions and more plus 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.
November 13, 2022 - 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.
November 20, 2022 - Seeking Intimacy with God Pt. 2
On November 20 we will continue our topic on “Seeking Intimacy with God”. How can we nurture our relationship with God? How does God call us to conversion? How do we grow in our connection with God through the church? We will also study the readings from mass, play some icebreakers, have small group sharing, and more. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
November 27, 2022 - No Class - Thanksgiving Break
There will be no class on November 27 due to Thanksgiving. We will resume on December 4.
December 4, 2022 - Advent Night of Reflection
On December 4 we will have an Advent Night of Reflection. What is our Catholic mindset during Advent? What do the colors on the Advent wreath symbolize? What are the special days during the Christmas season? What are the differences in the mass during Advent? We will talk about this and also have some quiet prayer time in the church. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
December 11, 2022 - Service Project - Sorting Parish Giving Tree Gifts
On December 11 we will do another Service Project sorting the Parish Giving Tree Gifts and preparing them for pickup and delivery. We will also talk about Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd 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 18, 2022 - Spirituality and Conversion to God
On December 18 our topic will be “Spirituality and Conversion to God”. How do we grow in our spirituality, understanding of Jesus & God, prayer life, and service to others and then convert that into our relationship with God? We will talk about this and 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.
January 8, 2023 - Epiphany
On January 8 our topic will be "The Epiphany". We will talk about the role of the Magi and how we celebrate in the Christmas Season as Catholics. Nativity Sacristan Pat James will also be our guest speaker and give us a behind the scenes talk on the history of the celebration of the Epiphany and the special preparations on the altar for each feast day and Sunday. We will talk about this and 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.
There is no class on Sunday January 15 due to the Martin Luther King holiday. We resume on January 22 at the regular times.
January 21, 2023 - Icebreakers and Movie Night
On Saturday January 21 we will have a Icebreaker Games and Movie Night in the Commons from 7-10pm. We will have the teen's favorite icebreakers from the past and some new ones. All teens and their friends are invited to attend. We will have pizza and snacks (on the parish) as we watch the movie.
A few reminders:
- Bring a jacket as we may spend some time outdoors for the icebreakers
- Feel free to bring your favorite movie snack
- 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
January 22, 2023 - The Decalogue
On January 22 our topic nights resume with our topic on "The Decalogue". What are these "ten words" and how do they challenge us in our morality? How are they part of our covenant with God? What is our reward for following them? We will look at this as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2052-2074. We will also 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.
January 29, 2023 - Prayer Methods
On January 29 our topic will be Prayer Methods, which was one of the most requested topics from the parents in our Topic Survey. What are the types of prayers? What is an example of each one? What is each type of prayer intended to do? Where did they come from? How did Jesus teach us to pray and how is the Our Father a perfect example of prayer?We will discuss Catechism of the Catholic Church #2279 and on. We will talk about this and also go over the bible readings from mass on the Beatitudes 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.
February 5, 2023 - Basic Tenents of the Catholic Faith
On February 5 our topic will be the Basic Tenets / 12 Articles of Catholicism as found in the Nicene Creed. What are the fundamental beliefs of our faith? Where did they come from? How did they develop over time? Why do we say them every Sunday at mass? We will talk about this and 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.
There will be no class on February 12. We resume on February 19 at the regular times.
February 19, 2023 - Basic Tenents of the Catholic Faith - Pt. 2
On February 19 we will continue our topic on the Basic Tenets / 12 Articles of Catholicism as found in the Nicene Creed. What are the fundamental beliefs of our faith? Where did they come from? How did they develop over time? Why do we say them every Sunday at mass? We will talk about this and 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.
There will be no class on February 26. We resume on March 5 at the regular times.
March 5, 2023 - Catholic Moral Values
On March 5 our topic will be "Catholic Moral Values". Where do our Catholic moral values come from? How are they rooted in scripture? How did Jesus set the vision for moral values in his teaching? What is the Magisterium? We will talk about this and also go over the bible readings from mass and have small sharing groups. We will also do a short review of the season of Lent. All freshmen-seniors attending public or Catholic high school are invited to join us from 5-6:15pm in the Commons.
March 12, 2023 - The 3rd Commandment & Keeping the Sabbath Holy
On March 12 our topic will be "The 3rd Commandment & Keeping the Sabbath Holy". What is the Sunday Obligation? Why is it important? Ho wdoes it relate to the creation story in Genesis? What do we get by participating in mass? What are the activities we can and can't do on Sundays? What is the purpose behind them? We will talk about this and 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.
March 19, 2023 - Self-Esteem
On March 19 our topic will be “Self-Esteem”, which was the #1 most requested topic from our Parent Topic Survey at the start of the year. How can we have high self-esteem and still be humble? How is self-esteem connected to our relationship with God and others? How does God show us we are valuable? We will discuss these questions and more. Plus, we will 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.