::: Welcome to The Edge at St. John the Evangelist :::

Welcome to The EDGE! Our goal is to give
our middle school kids the edge, the Catholic
edge, the Jesus edge, as they go through
this time of remarkable change in their lives.
This is the "middle school version" of the St.
John LifeTeen high school youth ministry
program. For the national site click here.

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.
Some psychologists have dubbed this time
in a child's life as "the last great chance."

While their peers begin to take on a more significant role during these years,
middle schoolers are still very connected and influenced by their parents.
They're still craving a close relationship with you & other adults in their lives.

That is why we are welcoming you too. We consider your participation in this
ministry as vital as anything we do. There are many ways you can participate:

•MEET US & REGISTER! Attend the parent orientation on August 20 at 6:30 PM in
the Seminar Room of the Claussen Family Center (new wing). You will be shown
a short, informative video about the history and purpose of The EDGE as well as
ask questions, meet some of the leaders, and register your middle schooler for
the program. The Youth Activity Room will be open for your kids that night!

•COMMUNICATE! Once registered, check your e-mail weekly for updates and
announcements about The EDGE. Also, you can visit the national LIFETEEN site by clicking here.

•COMMIT! Clear your schedule for Sunday evenings starting Sept. 17th. Make
The EDGE your family's Sunday night commitment. Come to the St. John 5 PM
LifeTeen Mass every Sunday. The music and the homily are geared toward
young people, so the liturgy has special meaning for them in their lives. The
EDGE meets after the LifeTeen Mass (6:15-7:30 PM) during the school year,
except holidays, in the Seminar Room of the Claussen Family Center.

•STAY CONNECTED & REACH OUT! Join The EDGE Core Team. It's a great way to
stay connected to your child's spiritual life and a great way to strengthen your
own. You will be assigned to a different group than your child's. Your interaction
with your child's peers will give you valuable insight into the mind of the middle
schooler. Training is easy and fun!

**Please note, if your middle schooler is currently preparing for the sacraments
at St. John, he/she must be enrolled in Religious Education classes to fulfill the
2-year Diocesan requirement, but is encouraged to attend The EDGE,
additionally. You should contact the Religious Education department
immediately for registration and questions regarding the sacraments.

We are very excited about our second year of this program at St. John,
especially since The EDGE is in over 150 parishes across the United States and
Canada. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us. We
are looking forward to seeing your middle school child at our first EDGE Night on
Sunday, Sept. 17th.

Blessings to you and your family,
Ivy and Shawn O'Malley, The EDGE coordinators
2257 Valencia Lakes Circle, Naples, FL 34120
Home phone: (239) 353-5186 Email: somalley@swfla.rr.com