SSJ Cathedral Youth Group

09/07/2026

For more information or to support Sophia and her peers go to simonjude.org/mexico

09/06/2026

FROM HOPE TO PEACE
30 Years of House Building Missions

This year marks an incredible milestone for SS. Simon & Jude Cathedral: 30 years of house building missions.

Since 1996, generations of SSJ teens and adults have answered the call to build homes, serve families, and encounter Christ through prayer, sacrifice, and hard work. What began with the vision and faith of Carol Caruso has become a beautiful legacy of hope and peace carried forward by our entire Cathedral community.

Over the next three weeks, we will introduce you to the teens and adults participating in this year’s Mexico Mission. Through their videos, you will hear why they said yes, what this mission means to them, and how they hope to put their faith into action.

We invite you to follow their journey, pray for our missionaries, and consider supporting their call to serve. Every prayer and every gift helps us continue building homes, forming disciples, and sharing the peace of Christ.

Learn more or sponsor a missionary at simonjude.org/mexico

From Hope to Peace. Thirty years of house building missions and living the legacy. ✌🏽🫶🏽🎂

09/02/2026

Paperwork may not be our strongest spiritual gift here at SSJ… But alas, all Mexico Mission paperwork is now due! Get it in this week… Please.

If you need a little extra time, please reach out to Jen directly at [email protected].

Deposit can be made at simonjude.org/mexico

08/06/2026

08/04/2026

ROAD TRIP TO STEUBENVILLE DAY FOUR…

Today, we made our journey home with our fair share of stops, plenty of laughter, and some truly great conversations. The drive gave us time to look back on everything we experienced and begin putting into words what this Road Trip has meant.

Our Road Trip by the numbers...
811.7 miles traveled
2 cars
1 hotel
4 tanks of gas
8 pit stops
1 beautiful mission church
1 trip to the beach
50 green clothespins and glow in the dark mini Jesus’
8 SSJ teens 2 Adults
1 Steubenville Conference
2 Masses
3 opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration
1 epic playlist

Countless songs, laughs, conversations, prayers, and memories.

This pilgrimage’s impact will be seen in what our teens carry home: a deeper awareness of their worth, stronger friendships, and a call to share what they have encountered with others.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us and helped make this Road Trip possible. We left SSJ as a group of travelers and returned as a community shaped by the road we traveled together.

We are home, SSJ! The Road Trip may be over, but the journey of faith continues.

St. Junípero Serra... Pray for us!Our Lady, Star of the Sea... Pray for us!
Ss. Simon and Jude... Pray for us!

08/03/2026

ROAD TRIP TO STEUBENVILLE DAY THREE WORSHIP, WONDER, AND COMMUNITY

Our final morning at Steubenville brought us together one more time for prayer, music, a final session, and Sunday Mass. After a weekend filled with powerful talks, the Sacraments, Adoration, and countless moments of grace, we were sent out to carry what we encountered back into our everyday lives.

But before beginning the journey home, there was still more of San Diego to enjoy!

We spent the afternoon in community at beach, taking in the beauty and majesty of the ocean. There was football on the sand, games, swimming, laughter, and plenty of time to simply relax. It gave our teens the space to decompress and begin processing everything they had experienced throughout the weekend.

There is something special about stepping away together. Faith grows not only during the big moments of worship, but also through friendships, shared meals, volleyball games on the beach, long conversations, and simply enjoying one another’s company.

Today was a beautiful celebration of the gifts of community and fellowship.
Our conference has come to an end, but our Road Trip is not quite over. Tomorrow, we begin the journey home with full hearts, great memories, and plenty to continue reflecting upon.

Our Lady, Star of the Sea... Pray for us!
Ss. Simon and Jude... Pray for us!

08/02/2026

ROAD TRIP TO STEUBENVILLE DAY TWO: WORTHY

If yesterday was about the road that brought us here, today was about the One we came to encounter.

Our second day in San Diego was packed full of talks, Mass, Reconciliation, Adorations, small group conversations, games, and lots of music. From the moment the doors opened this morning until the final song tonight, our teens were invited to step away from the noise of the world and make room for Christ.

Throughout the day, we were reminded that our worth is not determined by what the world gives us, what others think of us, or what we accomplish. Our true worth comes from knowing that we are created, known, and deeply loved by God.

The evening session, “Worthy Is the Lamb,” brought the entire day together as thousands of young people became still before Jesus in the Eucharist. Watching our teens enter into Adoration, sing, pray, and encounter Christ was a beautiful reminder of why we make these Road Trip each summer. It was a very full day, and our hearts are even fuller. God is moving here in San Diego, and we are grateful for every moment.
Jesus, Lamb of God... Have mercy on us! Ss. Simon and Jude... Pray for us!

08/01/2026

ROAD TRIP TO STEUBENVILLE DAY ONE: THE PILGRIMAGE BEGINS

This year, our Road Trip takes us to San Diego for the Steubenville Conference. We are in Bishop Dolan’s second year of his pastoral plan, TILMA, with its focus on the Camino Real, the Royal Road, we were inspired to choose a Steubenville destination that would lead us to this historic path of faith.

Our day began bright and early at the Youth House with a special blessing from Fr. Matt. Then we were on our way... although we had not traveled very far before making our first official road trip stop at the new Buc ee’s off I 10!

A few more stops followed before we arrived ar Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá.
Surrounded by beautiful grounds steeped in history and holiness, each teen presented an important part of the Mission’s story. Together, we learned about the missionaries, sacred spaces, art, and people who helped carry the Catholic faith along the Camino Real. It was a beautiful reminder that we are called to carry that same missionary spirit into the world today.

After exploring the Mission, we checked into our hotel and headed out for our first night of Steubenville.

It has been a truly great first day, SSJ. With our conference fully underway we cannot wait to see where the Lord leads us next.
St. Junípero Serra... Pray for us! Ss. Simon and Jude... Pray for us!

07/26/2026

As an incredible week of Kingdom Rock VBS comes to a close today for our team, we are filled with gratitude for the amazing young people who made this week possible.

Their journey began months ago with planning, training, and prayer. Throughout VBS week, they joyfully served our favorite SSJ littles each day, then remained on campus all week for a retreat of their own, discovering that before we can lead others to Christ, we must first walk closely with Him ourselves. They were formed as a team, backed by friends and standing strong for God, allowing Christ to shape them into servant leaders who reflect His love.

One of our favorite VBS traditions took place Thursday evening as we gathered at the home of Joey and Tessa for a delicious BBQ, pool time, and our Seniors Lead the Rosary, entrusting our community to the loving care of Our Blessed Mother. A special thank you to Joey, Tessa, and your entire family for opening your home and making us feel so welcome.

Thank you, VBS Team, for showing our crew members that Trusting in God helps us stand strong. Thank you, SSJ, for walking beside us and reminding us that God’s love helps us stand strong. Behind every great kingdom is a faithful community, and we are so grateful to call SSJ home.✌🏽🫶🏽👑