2008 EDGE Retreat Forms


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The Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry experience created for youth in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The EDGE is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional and social needs of our youth. Our youth are always welcomed and encouraged to bring their friends to the EDGE

In many respects middle school youth are on the EDGE because so much is going on in their lives physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. It can be a very stressful and difficult time for them and their parents. As a Catholic Community, we are going to give our middle school youth the EDGE they need in life: Jesus, The Word, The Eucharist, and the Church!

The goal of the EDGE is to move our middle school youth into an adult faith commitment to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.

There Are Four Parts To The EDGE
1. The Sunday night liturgy is a powerful Mass that is for our youth. Contemporary liturgical music and homilies geared toward young people bring the gospel message of Jesus home to our middle school youth.

2. EDGE night occurs on Sunday evenings during the school year. The EDGE also has social and recreational activities designed to create a greater sense of community among our middle school youth and for the youth to enjoy themselves in a church setting. The EDGE sponsors a two-day retreat during the year.

3. The EDGE offers middle school youth different occasions to put their faith into action through a variety of service projects.

4. The parent component is designed to assist parents and to make them aware of middle school issues. "R-U-EDGE-U-Cated" is our family involvement sheet which will come home with the middle school students.

Sundays Are EDGE Nights
At St. Helen's The EDGE meets most Sunday Nights during the school year in the St. Helen Social Center. Doors open at 6:45 PM for social time with the EDGE running from 7:00 till 8:30 PM. Come join your friends for a night of fan and activities centered around your faith. We encourage all middle school youth to attend so bring your friends.

The EDGE Recharge
As part of the EDGE program we sponsor a two day retreat for our middle school youth to get away and "Recharge" their faith with their Christian Community. This is done at the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant.

EDGE Service Projects
EDGE Night Project


Samaritan's Purse:
Operation Christmas Child is the assembling of shoe boxes with toys and items for child in third world countries. Last Christmas was the third year we have participated through the Billy Graham Foundation in the endeavor.

Blanket/Sock Drive:
We will be collecting blankets and new socks for the less fortunate.

Baby Food/Diaper Drive:
We will be collecting baby food and diapers for local agencies that assist mother and babies with needs throughout the year.

Church Projects
All EDGE students are asked to participate in the church clean-up project.  We meet at St. Helen's Church at 9:00 AM and do mild grounds work until noon. We will then have a pizza party which is over at approximately 1:00 PM. These projects are scheduled twice a year

I ask all parents to assist in making these projects important by discussing how they affect others and urging your child to participate.

EDGE Social Functions
Youth Group
To be announced

Youth Group will meet the first Thursday of each month from 7:00 PM till 8:30 PM in the St. Helen Teen Center.

Dances
Dances are held in the St. Helen's Social Center from 7:00 PM till 9:00 PM.

More Information
For more information about the EDGE or any of its activities contact the office of the Middle School Coordinator. Sharon Matson, smatson@sthelenglendale.org