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HIGH SCHOOL
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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.Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC) Youth Ministry Training Day Catholic Youth of African Descent (CYAD) Raices y Fe Youth Summit Retiro de Jovenes Archdiocesan Youth Council Speakers & Music List National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) National Evangelization Team (NET) Older Adolescent Curriculum Resources
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ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE
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.July 25-27, 2025
Hilton Americas Hotel
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YOUTH MINISTRY TRAINING DAY 2025
Serving young people is a gift—let’s grow in that calling together! Co-sponsored by OACE, LifeTeen, and Adore Ministries, this event offers 8 tracks, and 21 workshops designed to help adult and youth leaders and volunteers grow in faith, develop ministry skills, and foster pastoral awareness and approaches. Spanish Workshops available. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired!August 23, 20258 a.m.–5 p.m. at St. Dominic Chancery.Cost: $25 per person | $20 per person for groups of 10+.
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High School Curriculum
Our high school (older adolescent) curriculum provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Catholic faith and teachings, designed to foster spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of our Church's rich traditions. For detailed information and resources, please visit the Archdiocesan Catechetical Curriculum link below.
Contact Brian Henritze
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CATHOLIC YOUTH OF AFRICAN DESCENT
Catholic Youth of African Descent (CYAD)is a one-day event created to celebrate the giftedness and beauty of Catholic Youth of African Descent within the local church of Galveston-Houston. The day is designed for junior and senior high school students, providing them with a forum to discern, reflect, fellowship, and celebrate the love of Christ with their peers
February 21, 2026
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
More Info Contact Tim Colbert
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RAICES Y FE YOUTH SUMMIT (RYF)
Raices y Fe Youth Summit is a bilingual event for high school youth that celebrates the fusion of faith and culture.
Congreso Juvenil Raíces y Fe es un evento bilingüe para jóvenes de secundaria que celebra la fusión de la fe y la cultura.
September 27, 2025
Holy Family Catholic Church - Missouri City
$50.00 (includes registration, lunch & t-shirt)
Learn More/Register
Contact Jeanette Gonzalez
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RETIRO EN ESPAÑOL PARA JOVENES
This bilingual retreat for Catholic high school students (grades 9–12) invites teens to celebrate the beauty of Latino Catholic identity. Open to all teens from across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Teens will experience a weekend of bilingual prayer, cultural traditions, music, and time in nature—all centered-on faith and heritage. It’s a meaningful opportunity for spiritual growth, friendship, and a deep sense of belonging in a supportive and joyful environment.
March 6–8, 2026 at Camp Kappe
Online registration coming soon!
Contact Jeanette Gonzalez
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ARCHDIOCESAN 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
- Discernment: April 4-6, 2025
- Planning Retreats: September 12-14, 2025, January 9-11,2026
- Commissioning Mass at AYC (July 27, 2025) by Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez
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 2025-2026 are closed.
Contact Randy Adams - Retreats at Camp Kappe
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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
Speaker Submission Form Speaker List
Musician/Worship Leader List
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National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
NCYC 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.
Visit NCYC
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NATHOLIC 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.
Visit NET
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