Magazine design · St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Kepha, Summer 2026: Prepared for the Table
Kepha's summer issue explains first communion and catechism registration for 2026-27 at St. Peter Cathedral, introduces the clergy of the eparchy, and tells the stories of the saints our parishes are named for.
St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Kepha
Back to class
Prepared for
the Table
First communion and catechism for 2026-27 at St. Peter Cathedral: dates, classes, and what to expect.
ExclusiveMeet the clergy of the eparchy
PlusThe saints behind the names on our doors
Contents
Summer 2026
Features
- 4
Prepared for the Table
First communion at the cathedral for 2026-27, from registration to May 1, 2027.
- 6
Catechism 2026-27
Saturday classes for grades one through five begin September 12.
- 8
The Clergy of the Eparchy
The priests who serve our parishes, as the eparchy lists them this year.
In every issue
- From the Editors3
- The Names on Our Doors9
- Parish Spotlight: St. Peter's Cathedral10
- Parish Spotlight: Holy Cross Mission11
- Keeping Every Child Safe12
- Churches and Institutions13
- Around the Eparchy14
- Mark Your Calendar15
Sept. 12
Classes begin
Catechism and first communion classes start at St. Peter Cathedral on the same Saturday.
Kepha is published quarterly for St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese, the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle. Summer 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
Back to the Table
Every September the cathedral fills on Saturday mornings and afternoons with children, catechists, and the parents who bring them. It is one of the most hopeful sights of the year: the faith being handed on, one class at a time.
This issue is for those families. Our cover story sets out what the cathedral asks of children preparing for first communion in 2027, and the program page that follows does the same for catechism. Both begin on Saturday, September 12. Please read the details carefully: dates, drop-off times, and attendance rules matter, and questions go to each program's own email address rather than the parish office.
We also introduce the clergy of the eparchy as listed this year, and the saints whose names our missions and seminary carry.
May this school year bring every child closer to the Lord's table.
With prayers for a blessed school yearThe editors of KephaSt. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Prepared for the Table
St. Peter Cathedral will celebrate first communion on Saturday, May 1, 2027. Preparation begins this September.
The cathedral's first communion Masses will be celebrated on Saturday, May 1, 2027, at 9:30am and 12:30pm. Space is limited, so families should register early.
Who can enroll
A child must be in third grade or higher in fall 2026. Children are baptized and confirmed as infants in the Chaldean Church, so the registration form asks for the parish of baptism and confirmation.
Classes
Classes begin on September 12 and meet every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. Students then attend the 4pm Mass, and parents should attend with them.
Parent meetings
Three meetings for parents are mandatory, all at 2pm in the cathedral: September 12 and December 19, 2026, and March 20, 2027.
I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger.John 6:35
The fee
Registration costs $350, which covers all materials, photography, video, and the rental of the communion gown.
The rules
The program asks families to accept a few clear rules. A child with more than three unexcused absences will not receive first communion, and a disruptive student given three or more warnings will not be allowed to receive it. Parents may not enter the classrooms and should check in with the main office.
Children must be dropped off before 1:50pm and picked up between 4:45pm and 5pm; volunteers are not responsible for children after 5pm.
Special needs
The registration form asks whether a child has special needs and what they are, so the catechists can prepare.
Questions
Questions go to stpetercommunion@gmail.com. The parish office cannot answer questions about the program.
This year's class
This spring's first communion at the cathedral was celebrated in two Masses, for Group A and Group B. Photographs of both are posted on the diocese website.
Faith Formation
Catechism 2026-27
Saturday catechism classes for children in grades one through five begin at St. Peter Cathedral on September 12.
Catechism at the cathedral meets on Saturday mornings from 10am to noon, beginning on September 12, 2026. It is open to children who are in first through fifth grade in fall 2026; kindergarten children cannot enroll.
Registration is online, and the $100 fee covers the cost of all materials.
The program keeps an attendance policy: a child with more than three unexcused absences will be removed from the program. Children should be dropped off before 9:50am and picked up between noon and 12:15pm; volunteers are not responsible for children after 12:15pm.
Questions go only to catechism@stpeterdiocese.org; the parish office cannot answer them.
Checklist
- Your child is in grades 1 to 5 in fall 2026.
- Register online and pay the $100 fee.
- Drop off before 9:50am; pick up by 12:15pm.
- Email questions to catechism@stpeterdiocese.org.
Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.Proverbs 22:6
The Clergy of the Eparchy
The priests who serve the eparchy's parishes, as the eparchy lists them this year. During the vacancy of the see the eparchy is cared for by Mar Saad Sirop Hanna, apostolic administrator.
Fr. Raymond SlivaPastor, St. Mary's Parish
Fr. Tariq EissaAdministrator, St. George, Orange County
Fr. Tomy TomikehHelping Southern California parishes
Fr. Mikhael KhoshoHelping San Diego parishes
Fr. Lucian BabakaHelping San Diego parishes
Fr. Roni SchamounHelping San Diego parishes
RetiredArchdeacon Sabri Kejbo, Fr. Michael Bazzi, Chorbishop Samuel Dinkha, Chorbishop Polis Khami
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.Hebrews 13:7
The Names on Our Doors
Several of the eparchy's communities carry the names of saints of the Church of the East, men whose stories are less familiar to American neighbors than to Chaldean grandparents.
Mar Narsai
The mission in Temecula is named for Mar Narsai, a poet and teacher of the fifth century who led the School of Edessa and then founded the School of Nisibis. His hymns earned him the title Harp of the Spirit.
Rabban Hormizd
The mission in Riverside honors Rabban Hormizd, a monk of the seventh century. The monastery that bears his name, carved into the mountains above Alqosh in northern Iraq, still stands.
Mar Abba the Great
The seminary is named for Mar Abba, catholicos-patriarch of the Church of the East in the sixth century, a convert who renewed the Church's learning and discipline.
Mar Qardagh
The mission in Poway, cared for by the abbot of the Sons of the Covenant, is named for Mar Qardagh, a martyr of the fourth century whose story was told in the Church of the East for centuries.
St. Thomas
And the parish in Turlock carries the name of the apostle who, in the tradition of the Church of the East, carried the Gospel beyond the Roman Empire to the east.
El Cajon, California
St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Cathedral
The cathedral on Jamacha Way is the seat of the eparchy and its busiest parish, with Mass every day of the week in Chaldean, Arabic, and English.
Weekday Masses are at 10am in Chaldean and Arabic and 6pm in English. On Saturday, Mass is at 10am in Chaldean and Arabic and 4pm in English, and on Sunday at 8am in Arabic, 10am in English, 12pm in Chaldean, and 4pm in English. A Special Needs Mass is celebrated at 2:30pm on the first Sunday of every month.
Confession is heard at every daily and weekend Mass, and the adoration chapel is open twenty-four hours a day.
Mass times
- Mon to Fri
- 10am Chaldean and Arabic, 6pm English
- Saturday
- 10am Chaldean and Arabic, 4pm English
- Sunday
- 8am Arabic, 10am English, 12pm Chaldean, 4pm English
Clergy
Visit
Address
1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019
Phone
619-579-7913
Office hours
Mon to Sat, 10am to 4pm
Gilbert, Arizona
Holy Cross Mission
In Gilbert, in the southeast of the Phoenix valley, the Holy Cross Mission gathers Chaldean Catholic families on Sunday evenings.
Its Mass is celebrated on Sunday at 6pm in Chaldean, a time that lets families who attend other parishes in the morning come together in their own language at the end of the day.
A mission is a Catholic community that is not yet established as a parish of its own. Holy Cross belongs to the eparchy's East Vicariate, together with Mar Abraham in Scottsdale and Holy Family in Phoenix, shown below, and Holy Cross shares its name with the great feast of September 14.
Mass times
- Sunday
- 6pm Chaldean
Visit
Address
19 West Bruce Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233
Phone
480-596-6798
Our commitment
Keeping Every Child Safe
As a new school year begins in our parishes
The eparchy is doing everything in its power to prevent the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by priests, other diocesan and parish staff, and volunteers.
Its Safe Environment Office provides outreach and makes sure every parish conforms to the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Safe Environment programs run in all of the eparchy's parishes, schools, and administrative offices, and compliance is reviewed at each of them every year.
The eparchy is committed to reaching out to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, now or in the past, to cooperating with civil authorities, and to being transparent if allegations come forth.
Anyone who believes they were the victim of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, church staff, or a volunteer may contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator, regardless of when the abuse occurred. Reports may be made in English, Chaldean, or Arabic.
Eparchy Office1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019
619-579-7997
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 Photos Are Online
Photograph galleries from this year's first communion at St. Peter Cathedral, for both Group A and Group B, are posted on the 2026 First Communion page at stpeterdiocese.org.
Families can view and download the pictures of their child's day there.
Two Retreats This Fall
The Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat for young people 16 and older runs from November 20 to 22, with registration closing October 23.
The Emmaus Retreat for young adults 21 to 35 follows from December 17 to 20. Both are described in our fall issue, and registration for both is online.
Summer into Fall
Feasts, the start of classes, and the fall retreats.
Assumption of Mary
The Mother of God is taken up, body and soul, into heaven.
Nativity of Mary
The birth of the Virgin Mary.
Classes Begin
Catechism at 10am, first communion at 2pm, and the first parent meeting at 2pm.
Holy Cross
The exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Youth Retreat Deadline
Registration closes for the Northern Vicariate Youth Retreat.
Youth Retreat
November 20 to 22 at Camp AREV, Frazier Park. Ages 16 and up.
Emmaus Retreat
December 17 to 20, for young adults 21 to 35.
Special Needs Mass
Every first Sunday at 2:30pm in English, St. Peter Cathedral.
Catechism 2026-27
Saturdays start September 12
Catechism for grades one through five at St. Peter Cathedral, 10am to noon. Register online; questions to the catechism office by email.
catechism@stpeterdiocese.orgSt. 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 · Summer 2026Delivered to the homes of parishioners across the eparchy. To update your address, contact your parish office.
About this issue
The summer issue is a back-to-school issue. Its cover story sets out everything a family needs to know about first communion at St. Peter Cathedral for 2026-27, from the grade a child must be in to the three mandatory parent meetings and the date of the first communion Masses on May 1, 2027. A program page does the same for catechism, which begins on September 12.
A roster introduces the clergy of the eparchy as listed this year, and a heritage feature tells the stories of the saints whose names are on the doors of our missions and seminary. Parish profiles go to the cathedral and to the Holy Cross Mission in Gilbert, and the issue closes with the eparchy's Safe Environment commitments, the directory, and the calendar through the fall retreats.
Inside this issue
- p. 3From the Editors
- p. 4Prepared for the TableFirst communion at the cathedral for 2026-27, from registration to May 1, 2027.
- p. 6Catechism 2026-27Saturday classes for grades one through five begin September 12.
- p. 8The Clergy of the EparchyThe priests who serve our parishes, as the eparchy lists them this year.
- p. 9The Names on Our Doors
- p. 10Parish Spotlight: St. Peter's Cathedral
- p. 11Parish Spotlight: Holy Cross Mission
- p. 12Keeping Every Child Safe
- p. 13Churches and Institutions
- p. 14Around the Eparchy
- p. 15Mark Your Calendar
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.
