EDGE runs on Monday Nights from September to April. Edge begins on Monday, September 13th, 2021.

Click here for the complete 2021-2022 EDGE Calendar!

Jackie Swinerton
Director for Teen Faith Formation
440.235.2222 ext 124
smofLifeTeenOffice@gmail.com

What is EDGE?

EDGE is a Catholic youth ministry movement for middle school students grades 6-8.  Its comprehensive approach is designed to meet the students' educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs.  Our middle schoolers will be empowered as disciples to take the teachings of the Church into their world for others to encounter.

Has EDGE replaced the middle school PSR program?
In 2014 we transitioned to EDGE.  6th, 7th, and 8th grade students now participate in EDGE Nights. EDGE replaces PSR for our public school or homeschool students and is open to our Catholic School 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students of SMOF, as well as all of our other brothers and sisters of the greater Olmsted Falls area.

The St. Mary of the Falls Experience of EDGE
The EDGE program will run from September through April. EDGE Nights will be held Monday nights from 7:00 - 8:30pm. EDGE Nights will be held "in community," meaning there will be one session for all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students combined. 

The Design of EDGE
EDGE is intended for all middle school aged students interested in the Catholic Faith: day school, public school, Catholic, non-Catholic.  The EDGE Night is modeled after the format of the Mass.  Each night is structured in the following format:

• Gather (welcome, introductions, ice-breaker activity)
• Proclaim (Scripture and teaching)
• Break (small group discussion and practical application to our lives)
• Send (prayer and sending forth to change the world)

As Christ taught, so should we.  Our catechesis must be systematic and complete.  We must never leave out parts of the faith due to fear, laziness, or lack of knowledge.  Simply, catechesis must make sense, and gradually, one step at a time, lead the youth into full knowledge of the faith and a deeper relationship with Christ. 

One of the features of EDGE is that it goes beyond the conventional classroom setting for catechesis.  Effective catechesis, especially to youth, engages their culture.  The goal is not only to engage culture, but also to ultimately transform it.  Engaging culture, specifically in the form of technology, allows for the youth to translate the faith into a language they understand.