The EDGE meets on Sundays from 6:45-8:15 p.m. for 7 th & 8 th Graders and Mondays from 6:45-8:15 p.m. for 6 th Graders. See the EDGE calendar for dates when the EDGE meets.
For more information about the EDGE call Cathleen Loversky , Jr. High Director at 630-355-4545 ext. 126 or email her at cloversky@st-raphael.com .
The EDGE Program:
The EDGE is a Catholic Middle School Youth Ministry for early adolescents in grades 6-8. It is designed to meet the catechetical, educational, spiritual, emotional and social needs of young adolescents.
The 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.
With new catechetical themes each year middle school youth will have a variety of topics to explore. This creative and experiential approach engages youth to understand Catholic teaching and form their Catholic identity.
The EDGE Themes:
First Year: The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church & The 10 Commandments
Second Year: The Beatitudes & Jesus
Third Year: The Liturgy of the Catholic Church & Creed: Statement of Belief
Goals of the EDGE
1. To foster a transforming spiritual experience of Jesus through the liturgy, which will allow early adolescents to experience the Word of God and the Eucharist in a deeper and more profound way.
2. To create a positive experience of the Catholic Church for early adolescents.
3. To assist middle school youth in gaining an understanding and appreciation of what the Catholic Church teaches and believes.
4. To incorporate the Catholic Church’s vision of social justice and peace into the spiritual life of middle school youth.
5. To develop an identity in middle school youth and in The EDGE ministry as being a vital and visual presence within the parish community.