Faith Formation ~ Middle School
Edge - Catholic Middle School Ministry
Isaiah 40: 29 – 31
The Faith Formation process for middle school, fifth through eighth grade, focuses on community building and reinforcing the Catechetical foundation built in the lower elementary grades. Growth in the young person’s faith is strengthened with an emphasis on the Bible, Catholic teaching and how to connect our Catholic traditions into daily life. This ministry also facilitates the transition into the high school programs and continued parish involvement.
We seek to increase that strong Christ-centered relationship in our students through small groups and deeper worship experiences. Our hope is to partner with parents in helping students go deeper with each other, their leaders and, most importantly, God.
The Middle School Faith Formation program at St. Rita Catholic Church is very fortunate to have Edge as our curriculum. Edge provides an exciting, non-classroom environment where the youth of our parish can establish and nourish their relationship with God.
What is Edge?
Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program. It provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Edge resources speak to the physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of middle school youth. Edge resources make it easier for youth ministers to plan out their semesters of Edge Night, retreats, and to train a team of adults, the Core Team, to assist them in the ministry. The resources present Catholic teaching in a way that young people can understand.
Why is Edge Important?
We all remember that middle school was awkward and difficult. That hasn’t changed. However, societal shifts have made the middle school years more difficult than ever. Today, middle school youth are having experiences that were common only with high school students just fifteen years ago. Threats of violence, availability of drugs and alcohol, and pervasiveness of sex and pornography are the new norm. Not only are they faced with these tough realities but they are also in the process of moving from being family-centered to friend-centered.
Peers gain greater influence and parental authority is called into question. As they shift socially they are also experiencing tremendous changes emotionally and intellectually. As they wade through all the difficulties of this time of life, they have real questions and need real answers. If parish leaders ignore the unique challenges of their middle school youth, they risk losing them forever.
That is why Edge middle school youth ministry program is an essential part to any parish youth ministry. It is created specifically to reach out to the age group and lead them closer to Christ.