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The Catholic Youth Community of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano

Our High School Youth Ministry is just that - a ministry to teens who are in high school. Okay, we know what high school is, we know what a teen is, but what is MINISTRY? Well, it is about our Church making a special place - a home, for our parish’s teens.
 
That sounds nice, but what does that mean exactly? A home for our teens? In the Church? Well, have you ever watched the old show called “Cheers?” It had this really catchy theme song that started the show each week - feel free to sing along...
 
Making your way in the world today,
takes everything you got.
Making a break from all your worries
sure would help a lot!
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you wanna go
where everybody knows your name
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see
our troubles are all the same!
You wanna go
where everyone knows your name!
 
Every person that walked in that bar was warmly greeted. Their friends would always make a space for them at the bar and ask about their day. They shared their doubts, fears, failures, victories, hates and loves. It was group therapy for the price of a six-pack, confession without a priest, and acceptance without fear of rejection.
 
Millions tuned in each week because most of us could relate to these characters and their stories. And some of us, I’m sure, have hoped that maybe, just maybe, there was a place like “Cheers” for us.
 
The Cheers Bar is (or could be) like our Church and our Catholic Youth Community. It fills many of the same needs. People are always looking for a place where they are known and cared for, where others are glad to see them, and where they are accepted and called by name. People search for a place where their need to love and be loved can be met, where they can connect with others and be given the opportunity to feel supported.
 
Does the God who made us “relationship creatures” provide an alternative to the bars, clubs and other gathering places of the world? Wouldn’t the One who created our need for others also create a place for that need to be met?

By God’s design, fish swim in their schools, bees fly in swarms, cattle herd, geese gaggle and quail covey (this is good info for you when playing “Trivial Pursuit” by the way). What do people do when they gather to support, nourish and protect each other? In a word, we CHURCH!!
 
Our Youth Center and Youth Ministry is a place where our teenagers can “CHURCH” - a place where they can be greeted by name, cared for, loved, listened to, a place where they can have fun, meet and make lots of friends, a place that is just for them, and a place that they can call their home away from home.
 
Our High School Youth Ministry is open to all high school age youth (9th through 12th grade) regardless if they are Catholic or not. If you are NOT baptized, you are welcome. If you are a Geek, Bando, Jock, Spazoid, Dweeb, Theater Spaz or Duffous you are welcome too!
 
You don’t believe us? Our Youth Minister is a Geek and he runs the place! So believe us when we tell you – EVERYONE is welcome!
 
Our Youth Ministry is based on the three S’s - Spiritual, Social and Service. It is a place where we learn about our faith, have fun together and serve each other because Jesus wants us to!
 
There is a place for you here! You are welcome and you are loved!
 


Ya... we love kids... No matter what!