St. John Neumann Parish uses the EDGE Program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade religious education. EDGE is a Catholic middle school youth ministry experience created for early adolescents. Within the context of faith, middle school youth are moving from a child-like spirituality to one that will hopefully reach its pinnacle, through the work of EDGE, into an adult faith commitment to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Community. The name “Edge” recognizes that middle school youth are on the Edge in their life, and if we as a church don’t do something about it, they’re going to fall off the Edge and we are never ever going to see them again. But, at the same time, we as a church are going to give them the Edge they need in life: Jesus Christ, the Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, the Teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, and a Catholic Community to love, nurture and challenge them.

EDGE is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young adolescents. These students are always welcomed and encouraged to bring their friends to the EDGE program.  Each Edge session contains four parts in order to meet the needs of our youth: Gather, Proclaim, Break it down and Send off. 

Our Edge program meets weekly on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 pm (not including holidays/school breaks) .

Each night will have a different topic about our faith related to theme for the semester/year, and will challenge our youth to grow in a deeper relationship with our Lord.. This year we will be delving into the Creed as we break it down into various parts (God the Father, Creation, life & death of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Saints, Mary). 
 

Besides the weekly gatherings, we ask that each student participate in  

• Assist at a Teen Liturgy at Least once  (6pm Mass)
• Attend the Passion Play (Palm Sunday or Friday night prior to Palm Sunday)
• Attend at least 2 Community Events
• Particpate in at least one Work of Mercy project (Serving at a dinner, Church clean ups, etc)

In Middle and High School, we ask all of our students to assist at least once a year in at our 6 PM Mass as Lectors or Hospitality.  Those who are active altar servers, lectors, or hospitality ministers who serve throughout the year, do not have to sign up.

When signing up, either choose to be a Lector or Hospitality.
When serving, please arrive by 5:30 pm on that Sunday evening, dressed in your Sunday best.  

What is
       Hospitality - Greet people as they come into the Church and hand out any worship aids
                           - Help with the collection and bring up the gifts
                           - Pass out bulletins
                           - Help organize the Church after Mass
        Lector - Proclaim one of the readings - Must prepare ahead of time!  

Contact Cheri' Andersen
Youth Minister
(603) 880-0825 x 111
candersen@sjnnh.org or
youth@sjnnh.org