EDGE is the Life-Teen program designed for the Middle School aged teen.

It aims to meet the spiritual, educational, emotional, and social needs of middle school youth.  No longer children but not yet adolescents, middle school youth are in the middle of countless changes in their lives and literally on “the edge”, about to cross into the thick of their teenage years. 

This program and its leaders address these changes as the youth try to figure out who they are in this world and in the Church. While the youth move from a childlike spirituality into a more adult faith, EDGE helps the youth to come to own their Catholic faith.

Middle School EDGE and Confirmation

Here at St. Pius X we use the EDGE program in conjunction with our Sacrament of Confirmation preparation. 

This is a two-year program that begins in 7th grade and is completed with the entrance into high school. Through a variety of teaching methods, middle school teens engage in large group learning, small group discussions, ice-breakers, team builders, skits, music, activities, games, various prayer forms and much more. 

In addition to the regular EDGE nights, the teens participate in service opportunities and retreats.  All programming and events are designed to foster the youths’ growth in their personal relationships with Christ and his Church.

Register for Edge 2023-2024!

Edge will begin on September 10th.

7th Grade Parents: If you missed a meeting in the spring, please contact Elizabeth to schedule a meeting.

8th Grade Parents: September 5 at 6:00pm

Middle School Ministry Contact:

Elizabeth Post, Staff
616.538.2600 x122

Middle School Faith Formation

2023-2024 Fall Calendar

SEPTEMBER

10           Edge Kickoff!

17           No Edge

24           Edge 2: Team Builder

OCTOBER

3             Edge 3

7            Parish Day of Service (optional)

8            Edge 4

15           Edge 5

21           Day of Service

22          Edge 6

29           No Edge

NOVEMBER

5              Edge 7

10 & 11    Retreat

19           Edge 8

26           No Edge ~ Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

3              Edge 9

5             8th Grade – Candidate Sponsor Night 6-8pm

10           Edge 10

17           Edge 11

24          No Edge

31           No Edge

MAY

7              Mess Wars

 

MS Homework

If your Middle Schooler has missed an Edge night, there will be homework that he/she will need to complete.  Homework will be posted below.

Please contact Elizabeth Post with any questions.

 

Week 1: 9/10/23: social

No makeup


Week 2: 9/24/23: Team Builder

No makeup


Week 3: Prayer 10/1/23

Watch: Tips for Prayer

Watch: Battle of Prayer

Read: Prayer

Write: write one half page describing the prayer form that you most often use and create one or two goals for your prayer life.

Do: https://forms.gle/vCkBYhZZoME4KAtx9


Week 4: Theology of the Body- Who Am I? 10/8/23

Watch: Decision Point– watch the 6 episodes in season 1

Listen to: This is Your Life 

Write: what is the main message of the song?

Read Ch 1 TOB

Do: https://forms.gle/mwxhYbjQjnAKPMhQ8


Week 5: Theology of the Body- Our Story 10/15/23

Read: Genesis1:24-31; Genesis 2: 4-25; Genesis 3: 24

Read: Ch 2 TOB

Do: https://forms.gle/peLEp8towefCUbzx8


Week 6: Theology of the Body- Me Myself & I 10/22/23

Read: Ch 3 TOB

Do: activity D on pg 32

Watch: Body Language and Created to Be

Do: https://forms.gle/bNmK1FVQcnvxYCuJ9


Week 7: Marian Apparitions 11/5/23

Read: Marian Apparitions

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUGRdpRJWYA&t=206s

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D1P9ASDZCc

Do: https://forms.gle/35Up1qkFrF2hwVD


Week 8: Theology of the Body How Should I Act? 11/19/23

Read: Ch 4 TOB

Do: activity B on pg 45 & 46

Do: https://forms.gle/iAMfa5k4eQXSkaLF8


Week 9: Theology of the Body- Chastity 12/3/23

Read: TOB ch5 Chastity

Read and do attached https://forms.gle/x2BZBfUDP5Ys1nx67


Week 10: To Use or Not to Use? 12/10/23

Read: Ch 6 TOB

Do: https://forms.gle/w9LGtZwS8CjetYmu5


Week 11: Advent Party  12/17/23

/No Homework /


Week 12: Theology of the Body: VOCATIONS 1/21/24

Read: Ch 7 TOB

DO: https://forms.gle/fY8XxZPows1HueVe6


Week 13: The Creed 2/4/24

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YNeTwWU1RE & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVnOoF808rQ

Read The Creed

DO: https://forms.gle/REYjJWidvubpWrwQ8


Week 14: God the Father, God the Son 2/18/24

Read Who Is Jesus

Do: https://forms.gle/Hjidb64K2pihH3YeA


Week 15: The Sacraments (3/3/24)

Watch 7 Sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, Marriage

Read SACRAMENTS Matter & Form 2024

Do: https://forms.gle/73SLappWsJNEAdb58


Week 16: Confirmation (3/10/24)

Watch: Initiation, Confirmation

Read: CONFIRMATION 2024

Do: https://forms.gle/CTowsLXA98Dt6juh8

Camp Edge

A cross between Vacation Bible School and Catholic Heart Work Camp, this summer camp is for Middle Schoolers only!  CAMP EDGE is a week-long adventure that will involve energetic (and sometimes messy) games, delicious treats, & crazy overnight adventures; all the while learning about some very important aspects of our Catholic Faith.  The only complaint received has been that the camp is Too Short!

CAMP EDGE 2023 

Camp Edge is open to incoming 7th & 8th graders and will be Monday, June 26 through Thursday, June 29 with one overnight in Northern Michigan. We are exploring how Catholicism came to West Michigan featuring trips to mission churches, a dip in Lake Michigan, and of course, lots of games and competition!

Click the registration link to find more information including a list of times. The cost is $70 (scholarships are available where needed), and chaperones are needed! Please contact Elizabeth Post with questions.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


CAMP EDGE 2022: Weird Catholic Stuff

This year incoming 7th and 8th graders explored the strange things that make up our Catholic faith! It was a week full of fun, games, & surprises including an overnight trip to Northern Michigan and rafting!

CAMP EDGE 2019: SPX’s Best Kept Secret

Camp Edge 2019 took us on a wild adventure exploring our Catholic heritage in Michigan!  We learned how Catholicism came to West Michigan and the great missionaries who brought it here. Our week included visiting various churches in the area and an epic pilgrimage north where we visited the site of Pere Marquette’s grave and also Bishop Baraga’s early church.


 

MS Confirmation

MS Confirmation Prep

The Confirmation preparation process is a journey of learning to seek and respond to the Holy Spirit. It is developing a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and assuming a role in the greater Church community. Our primary teacher is the Holy Spirit. Faithful adult leaders and high school peer ministers will provide direction, reflection and concrete activities, which aim to help us better understand the Holy Spirit.

The middle school EDGE program is used in conjunction with our Sacrament of Confirmation preparation.  This is a two-year program that begins in 7th grade and is completed with the entrance into high school. Through a variety of teaching methods, middle school teens engage in large group learning, small group discussions, community and team, skits, music, activities, games, various prayer forms and much more.  In addition to the regular EDGE nights, the teens participate in service opportunities and retreats.  All programing and events are designed to foster the youths’ growth in their personal relationships with Christ and his Church.

MS Confirmation Dates

Preparation 2022-2023

Fall Semester

  • MS Edge: Scheduled Sundays (see calendar) (80% attendance required)
  • Parents & Candidates: weekly Mass attendance
  • Personal Interview with Elizabeth (7th grade later in the fall)
  • Parish Wide Service Day: Saturday October 8th (optional but counts for fall service)
  • Middle School “Fall” Retreat:
    • For the guys: Oct. 21&22 (time TBA)
    • For the gals: Oct. 21&22 (time TBA)
  • MS Service Day: Saturday November 12, 2022 (8th grade at FLPC)
  • Choose a sponsor: Sponsor sheet due by November 22, 2022 (8th graders)
  • Sponsor Night (8th graders): December 6, 2022 6-8pm Candidate and Sponsors Required

 

Spring Semester

  • MS Edge: Scheduled Sundays (see calendar)
  • Service Day: February 12 (7th grade pilgrimage to Solanus Casey Center Detroit)
  • SPX Confirmation Retreat: Mar 11-12 (8th grade) Saturday -Sunday
    • Rite of Entrance: Sunday Mar 12th at 10:30AM Mass (Sponsor required from 8:30-11:30a)
  • Letter of Intention: Sunday Mar 26, 2023 (8th grade)
  • Personal Interview with Elizabeth (8th graders after Mar 12)
  • Choose a Saint’s name and write a short biography him/her: 19 (8th grade)
  • Know the Apostles Creed: March 19 (all)
  • Participate in Station of the Cross during Lent (TBA)

Immediate Preparation

  • Immediate Preparation @ MS Edge: Sunday in Sept-Apr.
  • Discern sponsor
  • Weekly Mass participation

 

Sacrament of Confirmation:  Cathedral of St Andrew, May 26 (8th grade)

(For announcements on final dates/times pay attention to emails/notices/bulletin)

*The retreats are required events. Contact Elizabeth if you have a conflict.

MS Confirmation Paperwork