What is Middle School Ministry?
Middle School Ministry is finding ways to walk with, teach and empower mid-school aged youth through offering activities, classes and opportunities to engage their faith as well as encounter and serve Christ.
What are the steps to starting Mid-school ministry?
Many times the CL or DRE have their hands full with Faith Formation, and may not think about the potential for training a Youth Minister from the volunteers they may already have. A catechist or two who have already committed to serving in Faith Formation may be willing to begin training as a Youth Minister working with mid-school youth. The DRE or CL should be committed to sitting down with the potential Youth Minister and coming up with a vision and goals. (The Archdiocesan Virtus Training is mandatory for anyone volunteering in any kind of capacity for the Church.)
What would your parish look like with a strong mid-school ministry in place?
There are many benefits to having an active and engaged middle school ministry. Youth that are excited and knowledgeable about their faith is an exciting prospect. Active youth in the parish community should be the goal in all Catholic Churches! The Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Office is happy to help your parish start Middle School Ministry!
Middle School Ministry
The Middle School Ministry consists of those who are in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade. These adolescents make up a large amount of those in our parishes. It is important that we recognize their presences and provide them with a safe and fun environment to meet others their age and learn about their Catholic faith. In order to do so the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry provides many resources and workshops that teach you how to begin your very own Middle School Ministry! It is the goal of the document Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry that your Middle School Ministry allows you:
- Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today (RTV, p.9).
- To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community (RTV, p.11).
- To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person (RTV, p.15).
