Baptism Prep Class
2026-10-14 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-09 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-08-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-08 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Baptism is the formal way in which we welcome families and infants (ages 0-6) into our Catholic-Christian community. It marks the beginning of a sacramental faith journey for the child and is an important celebration for the family. For both parents and Godparents, preparing for Baptism is an opportunity to renew and deepen their own faith journey. It is also a special moment for our parish community to welcome new members into the life of the Church.

First Steps to Baptism

Contact the Coordinator of OCIA/BaptismReach out to Denise Quackenbush at dquackenbush@ssj.org to schedule a brief consultation to begin the registration process.

Complete the Registration Form Fill out the Baptism Registration Form and return it to the Parish Office along with your child’s Birth Certificate. If you are not already a registered family at Saints Simon & Jude, please complete the Parish Registration Form as well.

Register for a Baptism Preparation Class Both parents and Godparents are required to participate in the Baptism Preparation Class.

We look forward to celebrating this sacred moment with your family and welcoming your child into the Catholic faith!

Saints Simon & Jude 60th Annual Fall Festival
2026-10-02 00:00 - 2026-10-04 23:59
Celebrate 60 years of faith, fellowship, and community at the Saints Simon & Jude Fall Festival. This beloved parish tradition brings together parishioners, school families, alumni, neighbors, and friends from throughout Huntington Beach and Orange County for a joyful weekend of live music, carnival rides, games, food, drinks, and family fun.

More than an annual fundraiser, the Fall Festival is an expression of our Catholic parish family—rooted in hospitality, gratitude, service, fellowship, and sharing the love of Christ with everyone who comes through our gates. Proceeds help support the ongoing needs of our parish and school.

Festival Hours

Friday, October 25:00–10:30 PM

Saturday, October 32:00–10:30 PM

Sunday, October 4Noon–9:00 PM

Live Entertainment

Friday: Redneck RodeoSaturday: Flash Back Heart AttackSunday: Tijuana Dogs

Sunday Highlights

Kids Talent ShowSunday at 12:45 PM

Grand Prize DrawingSunday at 8:00 PM

The grand prize drawing includes a $10,000 grand prize and a diamond necklace.

Get Involved

Volunteer

Festival takes many helping hands. Volunteers are needed for food and game booths, kitchen support, setup during the week before Festival, and cleanup on Monday. Please consider signing up for at least one shift. Click Here to sign up to volunteer!

Become a Sponsor

Sponsorships help keep beloved traditions alive, bring families together, and make this milestone celebration possible. Opportunities are available for families, organizations, and local businesses, with recognition that may include festival signage, website and bulletin acknowledgment, ride tickets, meal coupons, parking, T-shirt placement, and on-stage recognition depending on the sponsorship level. Click Here to become a Festival Sponsor!

Available sponsorship levels include:

60th Anniversary Festival Partner — $10,000

Pavilion Partner — $5,000

Legacy Sponsor — $3,000

Jubilee Sponsor — $1,500

Grand Sponsor — $750

Premier Sponsor — $500

Loyal Supporter — $300

Friends of the Festival — $100

The Raffle Partner and T-Shirt Partner opportunities are already sold. The sponsorship deadline is Friday, September 4, 2026.

For sponsorship questions, contact Lyssa Rollolazo at lyssa@ssj.org.

Support the Festival Raffle

Raffle tickets are another easy way to support the Festival:

1 book — $20

2 books — $35

3 books — $50

Each book also includes a ticket for the Early Bird drawings held weekly in September. Ticket stubs and payment may be placed in the Sunday collection basket, mailed, or delivered to the Parish Office.

Feast of San Gennaro
2026-09-19 17:00
e celebrate this feast not only to honor San Gennaro, but also to rejoice in our own shared devotion to faith, family, and fellowship; just as Italian-American communities have done for generations!

Enjoy an authentic Italian meal featuring real Italian pasta and meatballs, fresh salad, and warm bread. All homemade and served with love.

Please RSVP so that we can prepare enough food for all to enjoy!

San Gennaro, pray for us!

Share Your Faith With Anyone Workshop
2026-08-29 09:00 - 15:30
Do you want to feel more comfortable talking about your Catholic faith with family, friends, coworkers, and others in your everyday life?

Join us for a practical and encouraging Share Your Faith With Anyone Workshop led by Adam Janke, President of St. Paul Street Evangelization. This workshop is designed to help Catholics share their faith naturally, confidently, and with genuine love.

Join us for Mass at 8:15 AM before the workshop begins.

During the workshop, you will learn:

How to talk about your faith naturally

How to share the story of what God has done in your life

How to invite others to take one small step closer to Jesus

No special experience is needed. Whether you are already comfortable sharing your faith or are not sure where to begin, this workshop will provide practical tools you can use in everyday conversations.

Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church – Franciscan Room20444 Magnolia StreetHuntington Beach, CA 92646

Lunch is included. Please RSVP via the link below!

Women's Back-to-School Prayer Breakfast
2026-08-28 09:00 - 11:00
Starting the School Year with Purpose & Prayer

Join us for a meaningful and energizing Women’s Back-to-School Prayer Breakfast featuring Jonna Schuster.

Jonna is approved in adult spirituality and brings more than 20 years of ministry experience. Her work focuses on helping Catholics understand their identity, calling, and relationship with the Holy Spirit. She will share an encouraging message about allowing God to work through women in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

This gathering is for all women—moms, grandmothers, aunts, friends, teachers, mentors, and anyone who wants to begin the school year grounded in prayer and purpose.

What Makes This Event Special

Guests will leave encouraged, connected, and equipped with:

– Practical ways to build a daily prayer habit

– Guided prayer for students, teachers, families, and schools

– A prayer journal or handout to continue praying after the event

– An inspiring and energizing message from Jonna

– Time to connect with other women who want to make prayer a priority

Come enjoy breakfast, fellowship, and a powerful morning of encouragement as we pray for our children, families, educators, schools, workplaces, and community.

Begin the school year with purpose. Step forward in the power of prayer. Registration is free. Please RSVP below!

Tapas & Theology
2026-08-27 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-25 18:30 - 20:30 | 4 Sons Brewing, 18421 Gothard St Suite 100 8, Huntington Beach, CA, 92646, United States
All women18+ are invited to 4 Son’s Brewery in Huntington Beach for fellowship and theology! Tapas is for women who want to share their faith life in a fun, relaxed, and casual atmosphere. The evenings include casual conversation, a speaker, and small group discussion. Please RSVP!

Tacos & Theology
2026-08-25 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-30 18:30 - 20:30 | 4 Sons Brewing, 18421 Gothard St Suite 100 8, Huntington Beach, CA, 92646, United States
All men 18+ are invited to 4 Son’s Brewery in Huntington Beach for fellowship and theology! Tacos & Theology is for men who want to share their faith life in a fun, relaxed, and casual atmosphere. The evenings include casual conversation, a speaker, and small group discussion. Please RSVP!

End of Summer BBQ
2026-08-15 16:00 - 19:30
Our summer story comes full circle! Join us as we close out SSJ Summer Stories with an evening of faith, fellowship, food, and fun hosted by Holy Smokes Meat Ministry.

Together, we’ll celebrate the stories shared, the memories made, and the ways God has been at work in our parish family this summer. As our summer story comes to a close, we’re reminded that each of our stories is part of God’s greater story—one that continues to unfold in our community, our families, and our life of faith.

End of Summer BBQSaturday, August 15After the 4:00 PM MassSaints Simon & Jude – on the field

Enjoy slow-smoked pork, hot dogs, BBQ beans, coleslaw, desserts, and more—plus live music, games for kids, and great company.

No cost to attend!Suggested donation: $10 per person or $25 per family

Please RSVP BELOW so we can prepare plenty of food for everyone.

Come hungry, leave joyful. We can’t wait to share this final summer celebration with you!

Fiat & Fortitude Prayer Breakfast
2026-08-15 08:15 - 11:00, 2026-08-01 08:15 - 11:00, 2026-07-18 08:15 - 11:00, 2026-07-04 08:15 - 11:00
Join us for a morning of prayer, community, and encouragement with Fiat and Fortitude Prayer Ministry for Military Families.

Our gatherings offer a meaningful opportunity to come together in faith with others who understand the unique joys and challenges of military life. The morning begins with Holy Mass at 8:15 AM, followed by prayer at 9:00 AM. This sacred time is designed to nourish the soul and create space for worship, fellowship, and connection.

Fiat and Fortitude is a Catholic support community devoted especially to the parents of those who serve, while also welcoming spouses, children, and loved ones who faithfully carry the mission at home. Through prayer, sacramental life, and authentic community, we seek to accompany military families and strengthen them to live their vocation with steadfast faith amid deployments, distance, and sacrifice.

All are welcome! For more information, please email ssj@ssj.org.

Sunset XLT
2026-08-14 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a summer evening of worship and adoration at XLT on August 14. This XLT will be outdoors at sunset outside in Motor Plaza from 7:00–8:30pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets and come ready to hear a guest speaker share stories of how God has been moving this summer. All are welcome.

Dinner will be served before we begin, so join us at 6:00pm as we cook up some food and gather in community before entering into worship. Please RSVP below.

Trivia Night
2026-08-07 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for an evening of trivia, prizes, dinner, and summer fun!

Bring a team and test your knowledge against your fellow parishioners at Trivia Night! Enjoy friendly competition with general trivia, fun prizes, and a delicious dinner.

All are welcome to join us in Colman Hall on Friday, August 7 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

BYOB and BYO Dessert to share. Get ready for an epic night!

Please RSVP by emailing Reanna Parrino at rparrino@ssj.org.

City of Hope Blood Drive- Sign Up!
2026-08-03 00:00 - 2026-09-18 23:59
Friday, September 18, 202612:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Franciscan Room

Give hope to patients in need by donating blood at our City of Hope Blood Drive. In honor of St. Gennaro, whose courageous faith brought hope to others, we are invited to give of ourselves so that others may live.

All donors will receive a $10 gift card, compliments of City of Hope.

Appointments are recommended. CLICK HERE to schedule your donation using sponsor code SSJ, or call 626-218-7171.

After donating on Friday, join us the following evening for our Feast of San Gennaro Parish Dinner on Saturday, September 19. Together, we will celebrate a special weekend of faith, generosity, food, and fellowship. CLICK HERE to RSVP for dinner!

Sunday Summer Nights
2026-07-26 17:00 - 19:30
Join us for a laid-back Sunday Summer Night at SSJ as our parish family gathers after Mass to enjoy the simple joys of summer. Bring your family, invite a friend, and stay for an evening of good company, relaxed conversation, and connection.

Food trucks will be available for purchase, making it easy to grab dinner and spend time together. As we continue SSJ Summer Stories, we’ll share in community and celebrate the greater story God is writing among us.

PLEASE RSVP BELOW – THANK YOU!

Genesis: Origins, Identity, and God’s Faithfulness
2026-07-22 19:00 - 2026-09-23 20:30
Wednesdays beginning July 2210-week studyCommunity Center @ 7:00 PM

Beginning Wednesday, July 22, this 10-week study will explore the whole book of Genesis, starting with the first creation story (Genesis 1:1–2:3). Led by SSJ parishioner Suzanne Bohlson, each week will include teaching, small group conversation, and large group discussion.

Come reflect on the origins of creation, identity, covenant, and God’s enduring faithfulness throughout Genesis.

Please sign up below!

Communitas- Parish Retreat Registration
2026-07-12 00:00 - 2026-09-20 23:59
Join Saints Simon and Jude for a special parish retreat weekend, September 18–20, 2026, at the beautiful Mary & Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.

This weekend retreat is an invitation to step away from the busyness of everyday life and enter more deeply into prayer, friendship, and the life God is building among us. Rooted in the theme Communitas: Encounter Christ. Belong Deeply. Build Beyond., the retreat will help us reflect on what it means to be a people formed by Christ, strengthened in community, and sent forth to build something lasting for the Kingdom of God.

Whether you are looking for quiet time with the Lord, meaningful conversation, spiritual renewal, or a deeper sense of belonging in our parish family, this retreat is for you.

Retreat Leader

Fr. Mike Walker, a dynamic and engaging priest with more than 25 years of ministry experience and a longtime friend of Fr. Reynold.

Retreat Details

Dates: September 18–20, 2026Location: Mary & Joseph Retreat CenterRancho Palos Verdes, California

Included:Five meals and lodging are included with registration.

Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged: Click Here to register today! Scholarships are available! For more information, please reach out to Andrew Watson via email at awatson@ssj.org.

Retreat Fee

$300 per personDouble Occupancy

$400 per personSingle Occupancy

Questions?

For questions about the retreat, please contact:

Email Alex Alvarez: ssj@ssj.org

Come encounter Christ, belong more deeply, and build beyond yourself with your Saints Simon and Jude parish family.

Register today!

Tailgate & Theology
2026-07-02 18:30 - 2026-07-30 20:00
Join us for Tailgate & Theology, every Thursday in July at 6:30 PM, for an evening of Catholic community.

Each week, Fr. Philip and Fr. Reynold will lead us through the parables and other stories of Scripture, helping us discover what God is speaking to us through His Word and how it continues to shape the story of our lives today.

Bring your own Bible, BBQ, beverages, and anything else that starts with “B” that you’d like to enjoy or share! Please also bring your own chair and anything else you need to feel comfortable.

July 9Huntington Central Park Amphitheater7111 Talbert Avenue

July 16Adams Donuts Parking Lot9015 Adams Avenue

July 23Home Depot/Taco Bell Parking Lot19101 Magnolia Street

July 30Huntington State BeachLifeguard Tower #921601 Pacific Coast Highway

Please join the RSVP list below to receive each week’s location and updates.

We can’t wait to see you at the tailgate!

Sunday Summer Nights
2026-06-28 17:00 - 19:30
Join us for a laid-back Sunday Summer Night at SSJ as our parish family gathers after Mass to enjoy the simple joys of summer. Bring your family, invite a friend, and stay for an evening of good company, relaxed conversation, and connection.

Food trucks will be available for purchase, making it easy to grab dinner and spend time together. As we continue SSJ Summer Stories, we’ll share in community and celebrate the greater story God is writing among us.

PLEASE RSVP BELOW – THANK YOU!

Food Trucks

Fr. Philip's 42nd Ordination Anniversary Celebration
2026-06-28 11:15 - 12:00
Join us as we celebrate Fr. Philip Smith’s 42nd anniversary of ordination with a special Mass and celebration on Sunday, June 28. This joyful occasion honors Fr. Philip’s many years of faithful priestly ministry, generous service, and loving commitment to the people of God.

Bishop Thanh will be celebrating Mass at 11:15 a.m., offering the parish community an opportunity to gather in gratitude for Fr. Philip’s vocation and the countless ways his ministry has touched lives through preaching, pastoral care, and the celebration of the sacraments.

Following Mass, all are invited to continue the celebration in fellowship as we thank Fr. Philip for 42 years of dedicated service to the Church. Please join us for this special anniversary event as we give thanks to God for the gift of his priesthood and pray for continued blessings in his ministry.

Catholic Family Nights - Angels Game
2026-06-27 16:30 - 21:00
All SSJ parishioners are invited to join your fellow parishioners and the Diocese of Orange for Catholic Family Night at the Angels.

Los Angeles Angels vs. The Athletics

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Tailgate: 4:30pm-5:30pm | First Pitch: 6:38pm

Location: Angel Stadium

There will be a fireworks display at the end of the game.

Tickets are $35 each. If you have any questions, please contact Rhea Moreno – rmoreno@ssj.org

Tickets!

SSJ Beach Cleanup
2026-06-27 09:00 - 11:00
Join us for a morning of service, community, and care for God’s creation at Huntington State Beach. Everyone is welcome to take part in this beach cleanup as we help care for our coastline together.

Date: Saturday June 27, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. —11:00 a.m.Location: Huntington State Beach, Magnolia Street Entrance, Between Towers 7 and 8

– Parking is free. Just let the attendant know you are there for a beach cleanup.

– Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

– Hot dogs, donuts and drinks provided.

To ensure enough supplies, please CLICK HERE TO RSVP for each person in your party.

For more information, contact Louise Nakamine at lnakamine@ssj.org.

Mission Outreach Summer 2026 Collection Drive
2026-06-27 00:00 - 2026-07-07 23:59
Saints Simon & Jude Mission Outreach invites you to support this summer’s 2026 collection for Get on the Bus, a program that helps children visit a mother or father who is currently in prison. Through free bus transportation, children and their guardians are able to travel long distances for a day of connection, healing, and hope with their incarcerated parent—often after years apart.

This year, Saints Simon & Jude will help support more than 80 children traveling to Corcoran, California, on July 24. Parishioners are invited to take part by donating new items that will help make the journey meaningful and comforting for the children and families participating.

Donations may be brought to the Mission Outreach table in Mondor Plaza after all Masses on June 27 and 28, or dropped off at the Parish Office by Tuesday, July 7. Items needed include stuffed teddy bears, fleece or microfiber blankets, family games and activities, snacks, stay-connected kits, and monetary donations. Thank you for helping our parish extend compassion, encouragement, and love to children and families separated by incarceration.

Items Needed for Get on the BusNew items only, please.

Stuffed Teddy Bears10″ to 12″ teddy bears

BlanketsFleece or microfiber blankets, no larger than 50″ x 60″

Family Bonding Games & ActivitiesConnect 4 games, Candy Land games, Quirkle board games, Mindful Talk by School of Mindfulness, hypoallergenic face paints, 8×10 canvas boards, and quick-dry tempera paints

Delicious SnacksCapri Sun drinks, boxed apple juice, water in plastic bottles, single-serving packages of Goldfish, Cheez-Its, chips, Teddy Grahams, or cookies, fruit rolls, and granola bars with no nuts

Stay-Connected KitsForever stamps, books or sheets of 20, plain 8.5″ x 11″ stationery sheets with envelopes, blank simple greeting cards, pens and pencils, and 4×6 paper photo frames

Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.

You can also order items from the Amazon Wish List and have them delivered to Saints Simon & Jude: CLICK HERE to order form the Amazon Wish List.

Diocese of Orange 50th Anniversary Mass & Parish Reception
2026-06-20 16:00 - 18:30
Join us on Saturday, June 20, as we celebrate the Diocese of Orange 50th Jubilee Anniversary with a special 4:00 PM Mass celebrated by Bishop Fryer.

Named for Saints Simon and Jude, apostles of courage and hope, our parish gives thanks for 50 years of diocesan mission and celebrates our shared call to live as missionary disciples—rooted in the Eucharist, faithful in prayer, generous in service, and bold in witness.

A festive reception will follow with live music, desserts, and drinks. As a parish family, we joyfully give thanks for the Diocese of Orange and our place in its continuing story of faith.

Please RSVP below!
