Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry experience created for early adolescents in grades six, seven, and eight. Edge is designed to meet the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young adolescents.

Grades 6, 7, 8 Youth Faith Formation is experienced through the parish community. As part of ongoing lifelong catechesis, middle school youth in grades 6-8 are invited to participate in the parish community through Mass and the sacraments, service, witness, youth ministry, fellowship, and spiritual experiences. The program encourages and assists parents and their middle school children to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Our focus is to grow in our faith and understanding; remembering that to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ is a lifelong process.

Goals of The EDGE

1. 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.

2. Create a positive experience of the Catholic Church for early adolescents. 

3. Assist middle school youth in gaining an understanding and appreciation for what the Catholic Church teaches and believes. 

4. Incorporate the Catholic Church's vision of social justice and peace into their spiritual life. 

5. Develop an identity in middle school youth and in The Edge ministry as being a vital and visual presence within the parish. 

A.  FAMILY COMMUNITY MODEL/THE EDGE

Monday 6:00-7:30 PM @ St. Mary Hall, as scheduled

Click here to see the schedule for the 2012-2013 year.

B.  HOME STUDY PROGRAM

New Changes to the Home Study Program

Below is the letter sent to all parents, stating the new changes that will take place this year (2012-2013) in the Home Study Program.

"The Home Study program is going to undergo many changes this year. My primary reason for doing this is to respect your time and your busy schedules. The wonderful thing about the Home Study program is that it allows you and your child to study the faith at your own convenience without having to worry about meeting times. With that being said, I am no longer holding a once a month parent/child night.

The other big change for the Home Study Program is that there will no longer be a book. In the past, the Edge program has always been accompanied by a book. This makes it very difficult to fully dive deeply into one topic in the Edge Nights. In order to more fully expound our Faith, it is more beneficial to look at just one general theme instead of two or three. My desire is to have the Edge Nights and the Home Study Program learning the same thing for continuity. The only way to do this is to do away with the book format. Instead of the book, I will be uploading the teaching portion of each Edge Night. This will include the audio (possibly video), PowerPoint, my notes, and references, which I will be uploading to the parish’s website. This allows you to do one of two things: (1) To listen to the audio along with the PowerPoint, which will allow you to teach your child with all the resources I will be providing, or (2) to sit down with your child and listen to the audio and watch the PowerPoint together.

The last component of the Home Study Program is the parent/child activity that will follow the teaching component. The activities will change from week to week, but will allow time for you and your child to break open the teaching that might at times be fun and creative. At the end of each month, I ask that you turn the previous month’s activities in to me. I know how very busy family life can get, so this is a way to encourage you and your child to keep up with each session.

Although you have signed up for the Home Study Program, your child is invited to all the Edge Nights or to switch from the Home Study to the Edge Nights at any time this year. If there is ever a free Monday, your child is certainly welcome, which also means that there would be no Home Study component for that individual week. "

C.  EDGE NIGHT VIDEOS & RESOURCES

I have embeded a video tutorial of where to go and the different resources available to you if you need it. I believe that this is mostly self explanatory, but just in case, here is a video tutorial.

Below you will find links to (1.) the video and powerpoint combined, (2.) just the powerpoint file, (3.) any references and/or handouts that were used in the Night, and (4.) the directions to the activity that you and your child will be asked to do.

During the first week of every month, I ask that you turn in the previous month's activities to the Religious Ed Office. The very last day to drop them off is the first Friday of every month. If you would like to drop off the activities more frequently than that, you are more than welcome to do that.

THERE ARE NO MORE EDGE NIGHTS FOR SPRING '13

Edge Night 04/01/13

Edge Night 03/25/13

No Activity 03/18/13

Edge Night 03/04 & 03/11/13

Edge Night 02/18/13

Edge Night 02/11/13

Edge Night 02/04/13

No Night on 01/28/13

No Night on 01/21/13

Edge Night 01/14/13

Edge Night 01/07/13

No Activity 12/17/12

Edge Night 12/10/12

Edge Night 12/03/12

Edge Night 11/26/12

Edge Night 11/19/12

Class Cancelled 10/29/12

Edge Night 10/22/12

Edge Night 10/15/12

No Night on 10/08/12

Edge Night 10/01/12

Edge Night 09/24/12

Edge Night 09/17/12