When I arrived in 2019, one common piece of feedback I received was that our youth and young adult programs were lacking. After a few starts and stops, we finally have a dream team in place with Florence de Bretagne, our Director of Religious Education, and our newly ordained Fr. John Paul Puschautz. Please read about the grace-filled programs they have created at our parish. God is good!
— Fr. Jerome
Sacramental Preparation
One of the greatest joys of parish life is accompanying young people as they receive the sacraments. This past year, 40 children received their First Holy Communion (from the school and parish) and 55 young people were confirmed (St. Raymond School, St. Raymond Parish, and Sacred Heart Schools).
Preparation for these sacraments became much more than a weekly class. Parents of First Communion children gathered on Sunday mornings for their own formation, sharing conversations about faith and discovering new ways to pray and learn alongside their children. Parents of the youth also met regularly for monthly dinners and discussions at Arbor House.
Moreover, we integrated Confirmation preparation into our Sunday evening youth ministry gatherings. What began as a practical schedule change quickly became something much more: teens found a community where they could pray together, ask honest questions, laugh, serve others, and form lasting friendships rooted in Christ. Our hope is that every young person leaves Confirmation knowing that it is not the end of faith formation, but the beginning of a deeper life with God and His Church.
Religious Education
This year brought many opportunities for families to grow together in faith.
We were especially excited to welcome our youngest parishioners through a new Pre-K–Kindergarten class, helping children encounter God’s love from their earliest years. Throughout the year, our monthly Family Masses became a favorite tradition. Children proclaimed the readings, participated in the music ministry, and joined the offertory procession, making these celebrations a beautiful expression of our parish as one family.
One of the most memorable moments of the year was our All Saints Day Parade, when children arrived dressed as their favorite saints.
Behind every class, event, and celebration stands a dedicated team of catechists who generously share their faith with our families. They gathered regularly to pray, have dinner together, exchange ideas, and discern how best to accompany the children and parents entrusted to our care.
We were thrilled to launch our first week-long children’s summer camp, which took place August 10–14, 2026.
BEaST Youth Ministry
Sunday evenings have become one of the liveliest times in parish life. This year, our BEaST (“Be a Saint”) Youth Ministry grew from a monthly program into a thriving weekly gathering, regularly bringing together dozens of teens for prayer, friendship, service, and formation. For many young people, BEaST has become a second home, a place where faith comes alive through community, meaningful conversations, and genuine friendships.
One of the most encouraging signs of growth this year has been seeing our teens invite friends to BEaST. Several have become regular participants, including one teenager who is now considering becoming Catholic and others who, though baptized, had never continued their sacramental journey. Some of these teens have even begun bringing their parents to Mass.
Every Sunday evening brought something different. Some nights focused on prayer and discussion. Others included games, service projects, guest speakers, or simply time spent together as friends. Every gathering ended in prayer before the tabernacle, helping our teens place Christ at the center of their lives.
This year, our youth served both within the parish and beyond. For instance, they prepared postcards for elderly parishioners during Thanksgiving and served meals at the East Palo Alto shelter. A group of them also traveled to Virginia’s Eastern Shore for a week of mission work and service among migrant families.
Other highlights included an unforgettable afternoon in Half Moon Bay, where more than 70 members of the St. Raymond community enjoyed a barbecue, games, time at the beach, and Eucharistic Adoration overlooking the ocean. We also held our first-ever weekend retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where 40 young people came together for a meaningful experience of prayer, community, and fellowship.
Young Adult Ministry
Our Young Adult Ministry is thriving.
Our monthly 4D events (Dinner, Drinks, Discussion with Dominicans) are now welcoming 90–100 participants each month and have become a place where many newcomers find friendship, community, and a deeper connection to the Church.
We also held weekly small-group discussions on topics ranging from Theology of the Body to faith in the workplace.
The year was filled with memorable moments: a Pentecost retreat with 38 participants, a full bus traveling to the Walk for Life in San Francisco, dances, a speed-dating event, hikes, outdoor Masses, and countless shared meals and conversations.
Especially inspiring has been the growing desire among young adults to serve the parish. A dedicated leadership team met throughout the year to pray, plan, and dream about how to strengthen the ministry and contribute to parish life more broadly. Increasingly, young adults are becoming mentors, volunteers, and leaders throughout our community, taking part in the religious education and youth programs.
In August 2026, we launched Torch, a new small-group formation program designed to help young adults grow in faith, accountability, and authentic Christian friendship over the course of a full year.
College Compass
The summer of 2026 marked the beginning of an exciting new ministry for college students.
College Compass meets every other Monday evening for 30 minutes of Eucharistic Adoration in the church, followed by 30 minutes of Lectio Divina and fellowship.
Our hope is simple: to provide college students with a steady place to pray, grow, and remain connected to Christ and one another during a season of life that can often feel busy and uncertain.
Looking Ahead
As we look toward the coming year, we are filled with hope.
We are grateful for the new catechists who will join our teams and for the returning volunteers who continue to serve with such generosity. We are encouraged by the growing involvement of young adults throughout parish life and by the increasing participation of children and teens in our liturgies and ministries.
We are also excited to see more families discovering that faith formation is not simply a program for children — it is an invitation for the whole family to grow closer to Christ together, planting seeds of faith that will help children and parents alike remain rooted in God’s love and navigate life’s joys and challenges with confidence and hope.
The coming year will bring many opportunities for prayer, friendship, and spiritual growth, including a day-long retreat for First Communion children, a youth retreat in October 2026, and a young adult retreat during Lent 2027.
Whether you have been involved for years or are considering joining us for the first time, we would love to see you. Together, let us continue building a parish where every child, teen, young adult, and family can encounter Christ, grow as disciples, and discover the joy of living the Gospel.
