THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM (grades 6-8)
(meets Tuesdays from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m.)

The Middle School Program includes components that focus on community, service, education, faith sharing, prayer, celebration, penance services, and catechesis. Throughout the year the students will participate in four different sessions on a rotating basis, organized in a three year cycle. Topics include Morality, Scripture study, the Life of Jesus, Church History, and Sacramental Life.

Between each session an activity is prepared for the students to enjoy one another on a social level. These evenings have included parties on Halloween, Mardi Gras, and Christmas. Some of the evening events are planned by the parents and some, including the Sending Forth of our 8th grade class, are planned by the students.

This program provides each student with an opportunity to share on a level that many have not done before, and the spirit of community among students develops and is nourished at each session. The sharing comes at a critical point in the development of the young adolescent.

General Goals And Orientation:
The Middle School Youth Ministry Program at St. Perpetua Parish seeks to engage young teens in the early stages of the adult pilgrimage to a fuller understanding and participation in the life of the Christian community. Through study, discussion, play, reflection and service, we seek to cultivate a three-dimensional experience of Christian life, and to challenge the young teens to make their faith a personal choice and commitment. At its core, then, the program seeks to prepare the teens for the eventual sacramental commitment embodied in Confirmation in their later high school years.

This program attempts to meet the needs of this special age group that is so varied and in transition - they are neither child nor young adult, but are at that difficult "in-between" stage that needs and wants socialization, yet feels awkward, can't sit still for more than two minutes, and whose hormones are raging. They neither need nor want another "CCD class", but rather are longing for a relationship with the God who loves them just as they are for who they are.

The Program:
The needs of these young teens are met through involvement in service projects, social activities, small group discussions. Our discussion leaders are adults who enjoy working with this particular age group, are open and flexible in teaching style.

Adults are needed to implement service projects and plan social events and parties throughout the year.

For additional information please contact Catherine Giroux at (925) 283-0272#204 or cgiroux@stperpetua.org