Magazine design · St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Kepha, Fall 2026: Prepare the Way
Kepha's fall issue previews the Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat and the Emmaus Retreat for young adults, and gathers the lights of the eparchy's churches for the season of Subara and Christmas.
St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Kepha
The season of Subara
Prepare
the Way
Two retreats for young people this season, and the four Sundays that lead to Christmas.
ExclusiveA youth retreat in the mountains, November 20 to 22
PlusEmmaus: a winter retreat for young adults
Contents
Fall 2026
Features
- 4
A Weekend in the Mountains
The Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat, November 20 to 22 at Camp AREV.
- 6
On the Road to Emmaus
Four days of prayer for young adults, December 17 to 20.
- 8
Lights in the Night
The churches of the eparchy after dark, for the season of Subara.
In every issue
- From the Editors3
- Parish Spotlight: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission10
- Parish Spotlight: Mar Narsai Mission11
- Mass Times Across California12
- Churches and Institutions13
- Around the Eparchy14
- Mark Your Calendar15
- Glory to God16
Nov. 29
Subara begins
Four Sundays of announcements lead the Church to Christmas on Friday, December 25.
Kepha is published quarterly for St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese, the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle. Fall 2026 edition.
Eparchy Office 1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019. 619-579-7997. office@stpeterdiocese.org
Cathedral Office 619-579-7913
Design and production HQT
Photographs Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle
Mass times and event details were current at press time. Please confirm with your parish office.
From the Editors
Come Away for a While
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Jesus said it to apostles who had been so busy they had no time even to eat, and he still says it to us.
This fall the eparchy offers two ways to answer. The Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat takes young people 16 and older to the mountains at Frazier Park for a weekend in November, centered on preparing for the birth of Christ. In December the Emmaus Retreat gives young adults four days to walk, like the two disciples on the road from Jerusalem, with the Lord who meets them on the way.
Between them comes Subara, the season of announcements, and our photo essay gathers the churches of the eparchy after dark, lit for the season of the One who is the light of the world.
From all of us who make Kepha, a holy Subara and a blessed Christmas.
With prayers for the seasonThe editors of KephaSt. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Youth retreat
A Weekend in the Mountains
The annual Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat invites young people to step away from the busyness of the world and hear the invitation of God.
The retreat is a weekend away for young people to step back from the noise of the world and listen for the God who always calls us to know and to love him. This year it is centered on preparing for the birth of Christ.
It takes place at the Camp AREV Retreat Center, 1701 Darling Avenue in Frazier Park, from Friday, November 20, to Sunday, November 22. Retreatants must arrive no later than 3pm on Friday, and the retreat ends on Sunday morning.
The $300 fee includes meals, a room, and a hoodie. It does not include transportation.
Deadlines
- Register by October 23.
- All payments must be received by November 1, or the place is lost.
- Retreatants must be at least 16 at the time of the retreat; no exceptions.
- Need help with the cost? Contact your parish youth representative.
Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.Mark 6:31
Who goes
The retreat is organized by the Northern Vicariate, but its registration form lists every parish and mission of the eparchy, from St. Paul in North Hollywood and St. George in Santa Ana to the parishes of the Central Valley, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and San Diego County.
Chaplains
The retreat's chaplains are Rev. Peter Patros, pastor of Mar Abraham in Scottsdale, and Rev. Christopher Somo, pastor of St. Peter Cathedral.
Parish representatives
Each Northern Vicariate parish has a youth representative who can answer questions and help with financial assistance: at St. Paul, St. George and the Rabban Hormizd Mission, St. Mary's, St. Thomas, St. Matthew, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Their names and numbers are on the retreat page at stpeterdiocese.org.
Paying
Families can pay online by card when they register, or choose to pay $300 in cash or by Zelle.
Young adult retreat
On the Road to Emmaus
A four-day winter retreat for young men and women ages 21 to 35.
The Emmaus Retreat gives young adults four days, from Thursday, December 17, to Sunday, December 20, to step out of the rush before Christmas and spend time with the Lord.
It takes place at the Whispering Winds Retreat Center and is open to men and women from 21 to 35. The cost is $400 per person.
Places are limited. When a place is not available, the registration form offers a waitlist, and it also lets anyone who needs financial assistance say so, so that cost does not keep anyone away.
Questions go to the Emmaus Team at roadtoemmausretreat@gmail.com.
Registering
- Register online through the Emmaus Retreat page at stpeterdiocese.org.
- If your option is full, choose Join the Waitlist.
- Pay online, or choose financial assistance.
- Attendees must be 18 or older to sign the agreement.
Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way?Luke 24:32
The road from Jerusalem
On the evening of the first Easter, two disciples walked from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus, talking about everything that had happened. A stranger joined them and asked what they were discussing. They told him, sadly, of the prophet who had been crucified, and of the women who said his tomb was empty.
The stranger opened the Scriptures to them as they walked. When they reached the village they begged him to stay, and at table he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they knew him. Then he vanished from their sight.
Why the name fits
The retreat takes its name from that road. Young adults are often walking in the same way: busy, unsure, and talking about the faith without quite seeing the Lord who walks beside them. Four days of prayer, conversation, and the breaking of bread are meant to open their eyes.
Before Christmas
The retreat ends on December 20, five days before Christmas, on the fourth Sunday of Subara, when the Gospel tells of the angel who spoke to Joseph in a dream.
Lights in the Night
The light shines in the darkness. For the season of Subara, the churches of the eparchy after dark, from El Cajon to Turlock.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.John 1:5
Tucson, Arizona
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission
In Tucson, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission serves Chaldean Catholic families in southern Arizona from a campus of low brick buildings and green lawns on South Craycroft Road.
A mission is a Catholic community not yet established as a parish of its own, and the eparchy's missions allow families far from the nearest parish to worship in their own tradition. Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the southernmost community of the East Vicariate, about two hours from Holy Family in Phoenix.
Families should call ahead for the mission's Mass schedule.
Visit
Address
215 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
Phone
480-905-1545
Mass times
Call for the current schedule
Vicariate
East
Temecula, California
Mar Narsai Mission
The Mar Narsai Mission brings the Chaldean liturgy to families in Temecula and southwestern Riverside County, between the parishes of San Diego County and the mission in Riverside.
Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 1:30pm in Chaldean and English, a time that lets families come from across the valley. Confession is available before or after Mass.
The mission is named for Mar Narsai, the fifth-century poet and teacher who founded the School of Nisibis and whose hymns earned him the title Harp of the Spirit. Our summer issue told his story among the saints whose names are on our doors.
"How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!" Psalm 133:1
Mass times
- Sunday
- 1:30pm Chaldean and English
Visit
Location
Temecula, CA
Confession
Before or after Mass
Vicariate
South
Mass Times Across California
Sunday Masses at the eparchy's parishes and missions outside San Diego County.
| Sunday | 10:30am Assyrian |
|---|
| Saturday | 7pm Arabic |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 11am |
| Sunday | 1:30pm Chaldean and English |
|---|
| Sunday | 11am Assyrian |
|---|
| Sunday | 10am Assyrian |
|---|
| Sunday | 9:30am Chaldean and Assyrian |
|---|
| Sunday | 11am Chaldean and Arabic |
|---|
Confession
At each of these parishes, confession is available before or after Mass. Christmas schedules vary; call the parish office.
Every Church and Institution
The parishes, missions, and institutions of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, by vicariate.
Southern California
St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Cathedral1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019619-579-7913
St. Michael Chaldean Catholic Church799 East Washington Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020619-444-9911
St. John Chaldean Catholic Church1763 North 1st St, El Cajon, CA 92021619-558-5588
St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic ChurchSpring Valley, CA619-754-4222
St. Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church13050 Vanowen St, North Hollywood, CA 91605818-765-3665
St. George Chaldean Catholic Church4807 W McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704714-531-7760
Mar Narsai MissionTemecula, CA
Rabban Hormizd MissionRiverside, CA
Northern California
St. Thomas Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church2901 North Berkeley Ave, Turlock, CA 95382209-668-4500
St. Mary's Assyrian Chaldean Church109 North First St, Campbell, CA 95008408-378-6212
St. Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church3005 6th St, Ceres, CA 95307209-541-1660
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Church7625 Hazel Ave, Orangevale, CA 95662916-990-0150
St. Mary's MissionMarina, CA
East Vicariate
Mar Abraham Chaldean Catholic Church6816 East Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254480-912-1554
Holy Family Chaldean Catholic Church16612 North 21st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85023480-905-1545
St. Barbara Chaldean Catholic Church4514 Meadows Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89107702-542-3390
Holy Cross Mission19 West Bruce Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233480-596-6798
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission215 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
Holy Spirit MissionHouston, TX
St. Joseph MissionDallas, TX
Institutions
Eparchy Office1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019619-579-7997, office@stpeterdiocese.org
Seminary of Mar Abba the Great1400 Monument Hill Rd, El Cajon, CA 92020
Sons of the Covenant Monastery1111 Pepper Dr, El Cajon, CA 92021619-454-2686
St. Peter Media CenterEl Cajon, CA
Around the Eparchy
First Communion Parent Meeting
Parents of children preparing for first communion at the cathedral are reminded that the second of three mandatory parent meetings is on Saturday, December 19, at 2pm in the cathedral.
The class will receive first communion on May 1, 2027.
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas falls on a Friday this year. Each parish announces its Christmas schedule in its bulletin and on social media in the weeks before the feast.
The cathedral's regular Sunday Masses continue at 8am, 10am, 12pm, and 4pm.
Retreats to Epiphany
Deadlines, retreats, the Sundays of Subara, and the feasts of Christmas.
Retreat Registration Closes
Last day to register for the Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat.
Retreat Payments Due
Payments not received by November 1 lose their place.
Youth Retreat
November 20 to 22 at Camp AREV, Frazier Park.
Subara Begins
The first Sunday of announcements opens the East Syriac year.
Emmaus Retreat
December 17 to 20, for young adults 21 to 35.
Parent Meeting
First communion parents, 2pm in the cathedral.
Christmas
The Nativity of the Lord. Ask your parish for its Mass times.
Epiphany (Denha)
The baptism of the Lord and the revelation of the Trinity.
Christmas 2026
Glory to God in the highest
From the editors of Kepha, a blessed Christmas to every family of the eparchy. Our winter issue arrives in the new year.
Christmas Mass times: call your parishSt. Peter's Chaldean Catholic DioceseChaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle
1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019
Eparchy Office 619-579-7997 · stpeterdiocese.org
Kepha · Fall 2026Delivered to the homes of parishioners across the eparchy. To update your address, contact your parish office.
About this issue
The fall issue looks toward Christmas and toward two retreats. The Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat takes young people 16 and older to the mountains at Frazier Park from November 20 to 22, and the Emmaus Retreat invites young adults from 21 to 35 to four days of prayer from December 17 to 20. Each gets a program page and a feature.
A photo essay gathers the eparchy's churches after dark for the season of Subara, and parish profiles visit two of its missions, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Tucson and Mar Narsai in Temecula. The issue closes with Mass times across California, the directory, and the calendar from the retreat deadlines to the Epiphany.
Inside this issue
- p. 3From the Editors
- p. 4A Weekend in the MountainsThe Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat, November 20 to 22 at Camp AREV.
- p. 6On the Road to EmmausFour days of prayer for young adults, December 17 to 20.
- p. 8Lights in the NightThe churches of the eparchy after dark, for the season of Subara.
- p. 10Parish Spotlight: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission
- p. 11Parish Spotlight: Mar Narsai Mission
- p. 12Mass Times Across California
- p. 13Churches and Institutions
- p. 14Around the Eparchy
- p. 15Mark Your Calendar
- p. 16Glory to God
Stories, schedules, and photographs in this issue come from the diocese's website, stpeterdiocese.org. Mass times and event details were current when the issue was prepared; readers should confirm them with their parish office.
