Program Description

Middle school youth have big questions, yet only 36% of young people say they feel comfortable asking life’s big questions at church. EDGE tackles the big questions middle school youth ask about God, faith, the Church, and what it means to be a disciple. EDGE also provides foundational teachings that are impactful, engaging and transformational, plus EDGE large and small group dynamics promote community. Middle school is a critical point in the faith development of a young person and EDGE is designed to help youth make a decision for Christ that will last a lifetime! 

Watch a short video about EDGE at this link.  
 

EDGE Format and Content

EDGE includes catechetical topics, issues sessions, and social time. Each session is composed of four main parts: Gather, Proclaim, Break, and Send. 
 
Gather
EDGE leaders welcome youth and introduce the session. Games or icebreakers help youth transition from home or school and create a welcoming and comfortable space to release some energy, and start thinking about the session topic. 
 
Proclaim
This teaching portion of the session may include a 10-15 minute talk from the Youth Minister or Core Team, or perhaps a panel discussion, a teen witness, audio and video clips, or rotating sessions. The goal is to hear the session message from a variety of people, including Core members, priests, deacons, or other members of your parish community. Proclaims are short, simple, and relevant to middle schoolers' lives. 
 
Break
The youth have heard about a truth of our faith or how to deal with an issue in our world. Now, they have the opportunity to break it open on their level. This takes many forms over the course of a year: small group discussion, reflection sheets, personal prayer time, discussion with a partner, skit creation, poster board creation, and many more activities. Small group leaders facilitate the Break so middle schoolers have a chance to hear from each other and express their own feelings and understandings. Boys and girls meet in their own small groups.
 
Send
This is an opportunity for the youth to be led into a time of prayer, a time for the Holy Spirit to move in each person's heart. The Send is designed to help middle schoolers experience the depth of prayer our Church has to offer. After prayer, leaders challenge the young people to do something daily to remember what they learned during the session.  

EDGE Core Team Members

EDGE sessions are led by a core team that consists of adults and older teens. Core team members work together to plan and lead different parts of an EDGE session. 
 

---

Home Study Option

Families who have chosen the home study option for their child(ren) in 6th-8th grade will receive materials to facilitate a modified version of the EDGE program at home. For details, please email [email protected] or call the Faith Formation Office at 515-850-1883.
 

---

Sessions  & Calendar

Grades 6 - 8 meet twice a month, with breaks for holidays that align with local school districts and Catholic Church holy days. Family faith formation evenings for youth of all ages and their parents are also be part of the formation year. Please review calendar below and read the weekly emails throughout the year from the Faith Formation Office. 

Session times are Mondays from 5:45-6:45pm or Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00pm.
 

Calendar 2022-23

Click here to view or print EDGE 2022-2023 Schedules

---

Parent Resources

EDGE Parent Resources

Click here to view and print EDGE "Being Authentic Online" resources.

Click here to view and print EDGE "Recognizing Red Flags and What to Do."

 

---

Core Team Resources

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan - City Lights (October 10, 12, 17, 19)
Click here to view and print lesson outline
Click here to view and print lesson plan

Lesson Plan - Block Party (October 31, November 2,7,9)
Click here to view and print lesson outline
Click here to view and print lesson plan
Click here to view and print Chaplet of Virtues
Click here to view and print Text Your Own Adventure pdf
Click here to view and print Text Your Own Adventure power point

Lesson Plan - Neon (Nov. 14, 16, 28, 30)
Click here to view and print small group assignments
Click here to view and print Outline - False Information Online
Click here  to 

---

Internal Forms

Click on the document title to view and print.

Parish Ministry Application