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 https://youtu.be/NwlC3Yfylx4
 

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.  
 

Sessions & Schedule

Grades 6 - 8 meet weekly during the faith formation year, with breaks for holidays that align with local school districts and Catholic Church holy days. Additional parent information meetings and parent/child sacramental preparation sessions may also be part of the formation year. Please see the Faith Formation Handbook 2021-22 for specific dates, and watch for emails throughout the year from the Faith Formation Office. Session times are:

Mondays
5:45-7:00pm

Wednesdays
7:00-8:15pm