LIFE TEEN & The EDGE
LIFE TEEN & The EDGE
LIFE TEEN and The EDGE are comprehensive youth ministry programs based on, focused on, and directed toward the Eucharist. Each week, at Mass, LIFE Night, and at The EDGE, teens gather in an environment to experience fully the greatest gift we have as a Catholic Church.
What attracts teens to LIFE TEEN and The EDGE?
Two things... THE TRUTH and EXPERIENCE. Teaching teens about the truth in line with the theology of the Catholic Church is how the programs educate through creative Bible studies, discussions and personal experiences. Providing powerful liturgies for teens and their families is how the program helps them experience the power and love of Christ in the Eucharist, the Word of God and each other.
It starts with Liturgy.
It is the belief of this program that a teen’s journey into a relationship with Jesus Christ is first built on transformation. The liturgy of our Church powerfully provides this experience. Consequently, the Mass is the center and nucleus of LIFE TEEN and The EDGE from which all activities flow.
A sense of belonging.
This sense of belonging continues in the youth meetings. Before and after the Mass, teens meet for emotional, social, spiritual, and educational formation and again, transformation. This is best described by one teen who simply stated, “We not only get to learn about our religion, but we also learn a great deal about ourselves.” The CORE team of caring adults who are responding to their Baptismal call to serve, creates an environment where teens are almost compelled to share this experience with their family, school, and work. They are learning that being a Catholic is a way of life, not a 60-minute obligation once a week.
It is comprehensive. LIFE TEEN and The EDGE have developed programs to reach teens on all levels: emotional, intellectual, spiritual and relational - dispelling the notion that all it takes is a social club with lots of activities to keep teens on track. It takes much more. This ministry draws every aspect of a teen’s life into a faith connection and journey with and for Jesus Christ. In addition to the powerful weekly liturgies and challenging youth meetings, there are retreats, outreach, prayer groups and weekly activities for teens that deepen their communion with Christ and each other. LIFE TEEN and The EDGE reach out to teens right where they are. Community is vital to the success of this program as teens receive education, support and guidance in the environment of a community of peers, church leaders, parents and volunteers. Trained Youth Ministers and CORE members are there to help teens experience their Catholic faith and to provide a model of Christian living.
It requires a commitment. Quality youth ministry is not only a way to respond to the Church’s mission to evangelize, it can be a life-giving alternative to the negative pressures of today which are so strongly exerted on our youth. Teens today are at more physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual risk than ever before, and they are more at risk than any other age category. The need is there... the time is now.
The youth minister and core members become an active part in the lives of teenagers both at Church and at the places where teens spend their time. As they interact with teens in different situations, they have the opportunity to model the Christian life— showing teens that faith and relationship with God are compatible and relevant to the life they’re living right now. Teens are welcomed as part of the entire parish community. Thus creating a real and loving environment in which teens feel free to be themselves.
LIFE NIGHT
Every Sunday following the 5:00pm evening Mass, senior high school teens are encouraged to attend LIFE Night. These creative nights bring to life our Catholic faith and break open relevant issues for teens. Teens openly share and experience what it is to be a Catholic teen today. These catechetical nights are presented in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church and provide a comprehensive scope of topics over four years. Teens play an active role in planning and executing these nights. Teens are encouraged, trained and are active in leadership roles within the entire parish community. Teens are allowed to share their gifts with the parish community and their peers.
The EDGE
Every Sunday prior to the 5:00pm evening Mass, junior high school teens are encouraged to attend the EDGE. Similar to the LIFE NIGHT, the teens experience their Catholic faith at an age appropriate level. The EDGE is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young adolescents. In many aspects middle school youth are on the edge, so much is changing and going on in their lives. It can be a very stressful time. As the Catholic Community of St. Francis Parish, we are going to give our middle school kids The EDGE they need in life: Jesus, The Word of God, The Eucharist, and the Church!
Renewing the Vision - 8 Components for Youth Ministry
1. Ministry of Advocacy
2. Ministry of Catechesis
3. Ministry of Community Life
4. Ministry of Evangelization
5. Ministry of Justice and Service
6. Ministry of Leadership Development
7. Ministry of Pastoral Care
8. Ministry of Prayer and Worship
LIFE TEEN and The EDGE utilize two primary sources for its Catechetical Curriculum:
1. The Sacred Scriptures
2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
We do not use a textbook, but rather draw from these rich sources in the Church and employ periodical materials that assist with presenting the faith of the Church in a very dynamic and relevant way.
Our greatest desire is to meet a young person where they are at, connect with them and then lead them to meet the person of Jesus. A Scriptural image that can be used here is the Road to Emmaus. Jesus met the disciples on the road, He walked with them, He listened to their doubts and struggles. Then He taught them, He broke open the Scriptures for them, and He did it so powerfully that their hearts were burning inside them! And then they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread — the Eucharist.