St. Rita Parish: Edge Catholic Middle School Ministry

Edge is a Catholic ministry for middle school youth (6th-8th graders). Using an interactive, non-classroom format, Edge is a relational model of catechesis and evangelization. Edge relies on a core team comprised of caring adults and teen volunteers who serve as small group leaders.

Goals of the Edge:

• 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.
• To create a positive experience of the Catholic Church for early adolescents.
• To assist middle school youngster in gaining an understanding and appreciation of what the Catholic Church teaches and believes.
• To incorporate the Catholic Church’s vision of social justice and peace into the spiritual life of pre-adolescents.
• To develop an identity in middle school youth and in The Edge ministry as being a vital and visual presence within the parish community.
Schedule for Spring 2011

• Feb. 5 (Sat) – Edge kick-off event, 4:00 – 5:25 pm in O’Malley Hall, Youth Mass, Pizza Party
• Feb. 13 (Sun) – Edge Session, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm in Gara Hall
• Feb. 27 (Sun) – Edge Session, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm in O’Malley Hall
• March 4 (Fri) – Junior High Dance (in collaboration with St. Rita’s Student Council)
• March 5 (Sat) – Edge Night, 4:00 – 5:25 in O’Malley Hall, Youth Mass
• March 13 (Sun) – No Edge Session (Confirmation retreat)
• March 27 (Sun) – Edge Session, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm in O’Malley Hall
• April 2 (Sat) – Edge Night, 4:00 – 5:25 in O’Malley Hall, Youth Mass
• April 10 (Sun) – Edge Session, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm in O’Malley Hall
• April 15 (Fri) – Lenten Live Stations of the Cross, 5:30 in church (cast arrives @ 4:30)
• April 27 (Sun) – No Session (Easter Sunday)
• May 7 (Sat) – Edge Night, 4:00 – 5:25 in O’Malley Hall, Youth Mass
• May 8 (Sun) – No Session (Mother’s Day)
• May 22 (Sun) – Edge Session, 11:15 am – 12:45 pm in O’Malley Hall
• June 4 (Sat) – Last Edge Night, 4:00 – 5:25 in O’Malley Hall, Youth Mass

Edge Nights and other events in bold-face type are for ALL middle school youth. Edge [catechetial] sessions every 2nd and 4th Sundays are for middle school youth in public schools. St. Rita’s school students are welcome, but not required to attend Edge sessions.

St. Rita Parish, 318 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre, (626) 355-1292 or visit www.st-rita.org.