Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization
Pathways to Formation
The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization is beginning its rollout of a new series of formation opportunities to form parish leaders and volunteers to better accompany and serve young people and their families within the parishes of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Click here, or use the navigation tabs on the left, to learn more about our four pathways of formation.
Office Mission Statement
Providing leadership, formation, and resources in Comprehensive Youth Ministry for parishes to effectively form adolescents into lifelong disciples in the Catholic tradition.
Parish Confirmation Retreat List
2024-2025 | Retreat Submission From
2024-2025 | Excel List of Confirmation Retreats
Speaker and Musician/Worship Leader List
perspective speakers and musicians are required to submit a letter of Good Standing from the pastor or parochial vicar. This will be done when submitting the respective forms. Click here for a sample letter.
The OACE staff and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston do not formally endorse any of the names on these lists, nor do we manage/regulate stipends or payments. Parish leaders wishing to contact people on this list do so knowing that you are responsible for vetting the person before entering into a formal agreement.
Speakers List
Musician/Worship Leader List
Musician/Worship Leader Submission Form
Excel Musician/Worship Leader List
Resources
2024-2025 | OACE Programmatic Calendar
"Charting our Future" - 2019 Strategic Direction
Catholic Youth Ministry Handbook 4th Edition
Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation
Crisis Care Intervention Responses and Resources
Contact
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Tim Colbert, |
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Randy Adams, Associate Director OACE |
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Brian Henritze, Director of Capernaum |
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Jeanette Gonzalez, Associate Director for Hispanic Ministry |
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Amy Ann Davila, Associate Director |
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Elda Skrehot, |
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Luz Guerrero, Administrative Assistant Email: Luz Guerrero |
Contact Info
Phone: 713-741-8723
Fax: 713-741-8775
St. Dominic Chancery
2403 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77021
High School Youth Ministry is done with, by and for young people in grades 9-12. The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization sponsors and promotes a wide range of programs, conferences, gatherings, and special events for youth and adults. Below are some of the major programs sponsored by our office.
National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
The National Catholic Youth Conference is an exciting, biennial four-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. Sponsored by the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the schedule includes keynote addresses, concurrent and workshop sessions addressing a wide variety of topics. There are also opportunities for liturgy, reconciliation, prayer and worship, recreation and special activities such as concerts, exhibits, and the interactive thematic park.
For each conference, the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization leads a delegation of youth and adults to attend this national event which is the largest gathering of Catholic youth in the United States. NCYC is open to high school age young people and their chaperones. Most participants are Catholic. Many youth participants are leaders in their local parishes, schools and/or diocese, though many are just beginning to connect to their faith.
Date
November 14-16, 2024
Click here for more information.
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC)
AYC 2025
Hilton Americas Hotel
July 25-27, 2025
The Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC) gathers participants - both youth and adults - from all over the local Church. AYC is the largest evangelizing event for older adolescents that the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization hosts annually.
Participants will experience the diversity of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston! They will have the opportunity to share and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ through daily Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession, dynamic talks, and other prayer experiences.
AYC 2025 Registration Coming Spring 2025
Contact
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Tim-Colbert |
Randy Adams |
Archdiocesan Youth Council
Youth Council
The Archdiocesan Youth Council is composed of roughly 100 high school youth from all across the Archdiocese. These young people have been nominated by their parish or Catholic school and go through a discernment process before being commissioned. Youth Council members serve for a term of one year during which they assist with the planning and implementation of various programs sponsored by the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization.
The Youth Council gathers as a whole four times a year:
- Retreats at Camp Kappe
- April 12-14, 2024
- September 6-9, 2024
- January 10-12, 2025
- Commissioning Mass at AYC (July 28, 2024)
Throughout the year Youth Council members will also meet in their committee groups to plan and implement various youth ministry programs for the Archdiocese.
Eligibility
While all young people have the potential for leadership those nominated for the Archdiocesan Youth Council should meet the following requirements:
- Be nominated by a parish or Catholic high school official who can attest to the nominee's leadership skills.
- Be in an incoming sophomore, junior, or senior the year they are being nominated to serve.
- Be an active member of their parish youth ministry or high school campus ministry.
- Be an individual who is able to take responsibility for their attendance and commitment.
- Have an ability to listen to others and effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas in a nonjudgmental way.
- Have the ability to see the needs of the whole Archdiocese not just their local parish.
Nominations
Nomination forms are typically sent to parish and Catholic school leadership in December and must be returned to the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization by mid-February. Each parish or school may nominate 1 or 2 young people to serve on the council. Those young people who are nominated will attend a discernment retreat in March. If they are discerned onto the council their term begins the following summer at the commissioning mass.
Nominations for 2024-2025 are closed.
Contact
Randy Adams
Associate Director
Email Randy
713-741-8723
African American Youth Day
This event is a celebration of Faith for Catholic Youth of African Descent. It is a one-day event designed to attract junior and senior high school students, providing them with a forum to discern, reflect, fellowship and celebrate the love of Christ with their peers.
Date
March 8, 2025
St. Monica Catholic Church
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
National Evangelization Team (NET)
NET is a Catholic evangelistic outreach program based out of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A NET team is comprised of 11 young adults that range in age of 18-30, who have a vibrant faith and have given nine months of their lives to travel throughout the United States to share their faith with Catholic youth. Using the retreat format, the team members blend a fun, high-energy experience with a straightforward and personal presentation of the Gospel message and how Jesus Christ has affected their lives.
They use large group presentations, small group discussions, music, games, skits, prayer, personal testimonies, and the Sacraments to bring a deeper spiritual awakening for Catholic youth and their families. NET offers a wide variety of retreats for youth from grades 6 - 12th.
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
For more information on NET Ministries, please visit www.netusa.com.
High School Confirmation
The Archbishop has established that in this Archdiocese the normative age at which those baptized as infants into the Catholic Church receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the 10th or 11th grade.
The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization provides formation opportunities for new Confirmation coordinators, emphasizing sacramental theology, Confirmation catechesis, and program administration. Coordinator training is also available to help design and implement Confirmation retreats, develop service opportunities, form sponsors, assist Confirmation candidates with vocational discernment, and work to engage the entire faith community in Confirmation catechesis.
Parents and teens are encouraged to contact the Confirmation coordinator at their parish for specific details regarding the Confirmation preparation program at your parish.
Please log into your Capernaum account to access the Confirmation training for Parish Catechetical Leaders of Youth. If you need assistance logging into your account, contact your parish business administrator.
High School Confirmation Workshop
Saturday, October 12, 2024
9:30am-12:00pm
St. Dominic Chancery
Register here
Contact
Amy Ann Davila
Associate Director
Email Amy Ann
713-741-8772
Jr. High Youth Ministry is done with, by and for young people in grades 6-8. The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization provides formation through a variety of age-specific programs geared towards younger adolescents. These programs help youth discover their gifts, talents, and abilities to help foster and promote leadership in the footsteps of Jesus Christ as a servant leader.
Peacemakers
Peacemakers is a one-day workshop for both early adolescent youth (6-8th grades) and their leaders to discuss and explore the problems facing youth during the Junior High years. The program is designed to cover various topics over a three-year period. These topics include bullying, cliques, harassment, peer pressure, gangs, drugs/alcohol, and self-esteem challenges.
The program offers Christ's models for handling these problems and provides youth with a place to openly discuss situations and solutions. Through a variety of activities, community building, role play, games, presentations, and discussions, participants will learn valuable skills to assist them in handling these issues. These include conflict management /resolution, peer mediation, as well as peer ministry to help them in their school, home, and church life.
Thank you to everyone who joins us for Peacemakers 2024! See you next year.
Date
Saturday, June 14, 2025
St. Dominic Chancery
Contact
Randy Adams
Associate Director
Email Randy
713-741-8723
Extreme Challenge
Extreme Challenge is a day of fun and fellowship, where junior high youth in grades 6-8th play crazy games, dance, eat, pray, build community, and celebrate our faith in prayer and liturgy. The day also features The Lion's Den where teams compete in a quiz show atmosphere to test their knowledge of the Catholic faith. Physical condition or skill level doesn't matter; there are games for everyone. It also provides creative ideas for PCLs, core teams, and volunteers to take back to their own parish/school.
Date
Saturday, October 19. 2024
St. Dominic Chancery
Contact
Randy Adams
Associate Director
713-741-8723
National Evangelization Team (NET)
NET is a Catholic evangelistic outreach program based out of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A NET team is comprised of 11 young adults that range in age of 18-30, who have a vibrant faith and have given nine months of their lives to travel throughout the United States to share their faith with Catholic youth. Using the retreat format, the team members blend a fun, high-energy experience with a straightforward and personal presentation of the Gospel message and how Jesus Christ has affected their lives.
They use large group presentations, small group discussions, music, games, skits, prayer, personal testimonies, and the Sacraments to bring a deeper spiritual awakening for Catholic youth and their families. NET offers a wide variety of retreats for youth from grades 6-12th.
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
For more information on NET Ministries, please visit www.netusa.com.
Jr. High Youth Rally
The Archdiocesan Junior High Rally is an annual day for younger adolescents (grades 6-8th) to gather together as a community to pray, share, learn and celebrate with the larger archdiocesan family their Catholic faith.
Throughout the day, youth and adults deepen their faith by participating in a wide variety of fun and faith-filled activities which focus on instructions of faith, community building, and a variety of hands-on service projects. Each year a new theme is selected which focuses on issues that affect the junior high youth.
Date
Coming soon for 2025!
Contact
Randy Adams
Associate Director
Email Randy
713-741-8723
The Quest - Leadership Program
The Quest is a leadership program designed for youth in grades 6–8th. The program introduces youth to the servant leadership model by providing them with the building blocks needed for peer ministry. Through skits, community-building games, activities, workshops, and prayer, youth will discover their gifts and learn how to plan and implement Junior High activities and programs for their parish/school.
The Quest is open to all 6th – 8th-grade youth, CYM, and volunteers. An Archdiocesan-wide program is held each year in the fall. See program information and a registration link for more details and forms. The program may also be adapted for a parish or deanery level.
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2025
St. Dominic Chancery
Contact
Randy Adams
Associate Director
Email Randy
713-741-8723
Camp Kappe was built and developed to serve as a center for youth retreats and spiritual growth programs operated by the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization and the various parishes of the Archdiocese.
It is located in Plantersville, TX and can be rented out by groups who are seeking a location to hold a retreat that benefits Jr. High and High School youth.
Frassati Hall
Cabins/Main Bld
Dennis Patrick Duffy Hall and St. Pedro Calungsod Cabin
Capacity: Accommodates 121 people
The formation of parish youth ministry leadership is a major priority of the Archdiocesan Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization. Whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer the formation of individuals who work with youth is a critical component in the development of successful parish programs and safe places for young people to gather and feel welcomed.
Quince Años Coordinators and Teams
Formación para equipos de Quince Años
Reconociendo que la celebración de Quince Años es una tradición de la familia hispana, la parroquia es apoyada a utilizar esta celebración como una manera de dar la bienvenida e evangelizar las familias hacia una unión más profunda con Dios y la iglesia. La Oficina de Evangelización y Catequesis para Adolescentes ofrece entrenamiento a las personas que componen los Equipos de Quince Años en las parroquias. El entrenamiento incluye información sobre el contexto histórico, modelos de preparación, como formar los equipos parroquiales, música, la celebración Eucarística y otros elementos relacionados con la celebración católica de esta tradición.
Formation for Quince Años Coordinators and Teams
Recognizing that the Quinceañera celebration is a tradition of the Hispanic family, the parish is urged to utilize this celebration as an opportunity for welcoming and evangelizing the family toward a closer union with God and the Church. The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization offers training for parish Quinceañera teams with this perspective in mind. The training includes information on the historical basis for the celebration, models of preparation, models for forming parish teams, music, Eucharistic celebration, and other elements related to this traditional Catholic celebration.
Quinceañera Guidelines / Descargar una versión electrónica de las Directrices
Fifteen Questions on the Quinceañera from USCCB / Quince preguntas sobre las Quinceañeras
Contact
Jeanette Gonzalez
Associate Director
Email Jeanette
713-741-8723
Professional Growth Day (PGD)
As professional members of a parish/school staff, it is important for us to seek out continuing formation to help us in our ministry to young people. Professional Growth Days are centered on addressing current and relevant topics relating to youth ministry. They are a time to learn from experts as well as co-workers in the field. In addition, they provide a collaborating network with other parish/school leaders and promote the sharing of best practices.
Contact
Brian Henritze
Associate Director
Email Brian
713-741-8723
Creating a Sacred Space - Retreat Formation
Creating a Sacred Space, Retreat Formation Program provides parish retreat teams, PCLs, adult volunteers, and teens with valuable tools needed to conduct retreat ministry for youth, young adults, and family programs. The program, which is required by all who conduct retreats within the Archdiocese, focuses on the components of comprehensive youth ministry to provide a framework that will meet the needs of young people in a retreat setting.
The program is open to all high school youth, youth leaders, core team members, and volunteers who want to learn more about retreat ministry. Parish, school, and deanery leaders who wish to have this formation on their sites should contact the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization for scheduling and costs. A minimum of 20 participants is needed to host the program.
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
Pathways of Formation
The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization is beginning its rollout of a new series of formation opportunities to form parish leaders and volunteers to better accompany serve young people and their families within the parishes of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Click here, or use the navigation tabs on the left, to learn more about our four pathways of formation.
Contact
Brian Henritze
Associate Director
Email Brian
713-741-8723
Human Sexuality Catechesis
Archdiocesan Sexuality Catechesis Norms, Guidelines, Resources, and Formation
The Archdiocesan Norms, Guidelines, and Resources for Lifelong Human Sexuality Catechesis provide all parishes and Catholic schools with systematic formation in human sexuality for all ages from early childhood through adulthood.
Catechists teaching human sexuality are asked to attend a specifically designed catechist formation in human sexuality. This formation will consist of completing the Archdiocesan Moral Teachings course (10 hours) and attending an age-specific sexuality catechesis course (3 hours).
The combination of the two formation courses will provide the catechist with a strong foundation in understanding the Church's teachings for living the moral life as well as offering practical skills and resources needed for catechizing one's specific age group.
The three-hour human sexuality catechesis course will encompass a basic understanding of the content of human sexuality catechesis and offers catechist skills and resources specific for the age of their learners.
Human Sexuality Guidelines
Upcoming English Sessions
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Próximas sesiones de español
sabado, agosto 17, 2024
sabado, marzo 8, 2025
Contact
Amy Ann Davila
Associate Director
Email Amy Ann
713-741-8772
Confirmation Coordinator Formation
The Archbishop has established that in this Archdiocese the normative age at which those baptized as infants into the Catholic Church receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the 10th or 11th grade.
The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization provides formation opportunities for new Confirmation coordinators, emphasizing sacramental theology, and Confirmation catechesis and program administration. Coordinator training is also available to help design and implement Confirmation retreats, develop service opportunities, form sponsors, assist Confirmation candidates with vocational discernment, and work to engage the entire faith community in Confirmation catechesis.
This formation is also offered to all catechists in ministry with Confirmation candidates. This formation offers catechists a theological basis for current Confirmation pastoral practices as well as practical catechetical methods to prepare adolescent candidates in immediate preparation for Confirmation.
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
Jeremiah 1:7 - Youth Training
Jeremiah 1:7 is an Archdiocesan safe environment program that provides formation for high school-age youth who assist adults in ministry to children and youth under the age of 18.
Included in this site is a training schedule and site locations for high school-age youth as well as for those qualified and approved adults wanting to be trained as program facilitators. All adult program facilitators must first be approved through the Archdiocesan approval process.
Parish Catechetical Leaders (PCL), DREs and CYMs, utilizing this program are asked to carefully read and follow the links for procedures, forms, and handouts.
Course Materials (Zip File)
Jeremiah Power Point (Editable)
Contact
Tim Colbert
Director
Email Tim
713-741-8723
Certificado Básico en Pastoral con Adolescentes
Información
El Certificado Básico en Pastoral con Adolescentes es un programa de entrenamiento para Líderes de adolescentes que es proveído en español con el contexto de la comunidad Hispano/Latino. Esta formación es beneficial para líderes adultos que trabajan con adolescentes en la parroquia, en movimiento, en grupo de oración o cualquier grupo que forman adolescentes en la fe. La Pastoral con Adolescentes Parroquial es una colaboración de muchos grupos que funciona como pastoral de conjunto. Cada grupo es parte de la “Iglesia que es una”. El designado líder parroquial apoya a esa colaboración.
Las metas de este programa son:
- Que el líder latino aprenda como dar testigo y formación de fe a adolescente.
- Que el líder latino aprenda habilidades y formación para formar adolescentes hispanos o latinos en la fe en el contexto de la cultura Hispana/Latina.
El certificado consiste de cinco días de formación en cual se ofrecen 10 temas:
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- Renovamos la Visión
- Entrenamiento de Retiro
- Ética y Manejo de Crisis
- Evangelización y Catequesis
- Sacramentos, Liturgia, y Oración
- Desarrollo Adolescente y Cuidado Pastoral
- Teología del Cuerpo
- Justicia Social y la Periferia
- Liderazgo
- Vocación
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Ofrecimiento
Este program se ofrece una vez al año en otoño y consiste de cinco sábados (uno al mes). Los participantes se inscriben en línea por la plataforma- Capernaum. Deben de completar los 10 componentes en un año para completar el certificado. Todos los cursos llevarán a cabo los sábados asignados de 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. en el centro del Arquidiócesis, en la Cancillería San Dominic.
Agosto 24, 2024
Septiembre 21, 2024
Noviembre 16, 2024
Diciembre 7, 2024
Enero 11, 2025
Contacto
Jeanette Gonzalez
Directora asociada
Email Jeanette
713-741-8723
Parish Youth Ministry Leaders are a valuable part of comprehensive youth ministry. A staff member of key volunteer who takes point in coordinating and implementing comprehensive youth ministry will find on this page programs, resources, and links designed to help them grow in their ministry.
Eventos Próximos Para Jovenes
Conferencia Arquidiocesana de Jóvenes (AYC)
julio 26-28, 2024
Hilton Americas - Houston
Visite nuestra página de AYC 2024
Raices y Fe Youth Summit
sabado, 28 de septiembre, 2024
Iglesia Católica San Patricio
Eventos Próximos Para Adultos
Certificación Básico de Pastoral con Adolescentes
Empieza en agosto 2024. Registración abre 1ro de julio.
Sesiones 2024: Ago. 24, Sept. 21, Nov. 16, Dec. 7
Sesiones 2025: Ene. 11, Feb. 8, May. 8
Sexualidad Humana
sabado, agosto 17, 2024
sabado, marzo 8, 2025
Día del Crecimiento Profesional
sabado, febrero 8, 2025
sabado, mayo 8, 2025
Para más información sobre:
- Formación para Equipos de Quinceañeras
- Eventos arquidiocesanos para adolescentes (en grados 6 a 12)
- Formación de lideres de confirmación para adolescentes
- Formación de Retiros (para equipos/lideres encargados)
Para más información u otro tipo de ayuda, favor de comunicarse con Jeanette Gonzalez.
Contacto
Jeanette Gonzalez
Directora Asociada
713-741-8723
jgonzalez@archgh.org