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.

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 in 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 adolescents.

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.

The Edge is a two year curriculum - broken into four semesters - which introduces middle school youth to the person of Christ and the living Catholic faith in a way that they may not have encountered before.  The curriculum of catechetical Edge Nights is based on the USCCB Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum framework and is based on experiential faith sharing paired with fun, spiritual, and educational activities.  The young people are introduced to the different ways that Jesus Christ plays a part in their lives and how we acknowledge Christ’s presence among us in the celebration of the Liturgy.  The Edge also re-introduces the young people to the Catholic faith by examining the statements of faith within the Apostles Creed and the living out of those beliefs through a sacramental life.