Starting last year the Junior High program will use a program called "Edge". Students meet in a group environment for gathering activities, teachings and prayer.
In many ways Junior High Students are on the EDGE … we are providing them tools to have an EDGE on life.
EDGE
Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry for youth in grades 6-8. It is designed to meet the catechetical, educational, spiritual, emotional and social needs of young adolescents.
Edge approaches catechesis to middle-school youth using the Life Teen model. Middle-school youth are removed from behind classroom desks and brought into a large-group environment for gathering activities, teachings and prayer. In small groups, they break open the teachings and build solid, Christ-centered relationships that allow them to comfortably explore their Catholic faith and make it relevant to their everyday lives. This helps build safe relationships during some of the most formative years of a teen’s life.
Early adolescence is a critical and difficult time in a teen’s life. The operative word in early adolescence is "change!" Educators, psychologists, and youth ministers state that middle school years might be the last great opportunity to positively impact and assist a child in his or her educational, spiritual, emotional, and social development. It is during this "doubting Thomas” phase that many youth become leery of their faith, and begin to question what they believed.
In many respects, middle school adolescents are on “the Edge” because so much is going on in his or her life. It can be a very stressful and difficult time for young people and their parents. Within the context of faith, middle school youth are moving from a child-like spirituality to an independent ownership of their Catholic faith and identity. Through the Edge we hope they will reach this pinnacle.
Middle School youth have many options and choices before them. The Edge provides an unparalleled moment in their life for guidance and reassurance in Jesus’ love for them. Through this ministry, we give our middle school youth “the Edge” they need in life: Jesus, The Word, The Sacraments, the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and a Catholic Community where they can experience true peace, hope, joy, and the love of God!
Goals of The EDGE:
Foster a transforming spiritual experience of Jesus through the liturgy, allowing early adolescents to have a profound experience the Word of God and the Eucharist.
Create a positive experience of the Catholic Church for early adolescents.
Assist middle school youngsters in gaining an undertanding and appreciation for what the Catholic Church teaches as believes.
Incorporate the Catholic Church's vision of social justice and peace into their spiritual life.
Develop an identity in middle school youth and in The EDGE ministry as being a vital and visual presence within the parish.
