We believe in Middle School Ministry because of the example of 12, 13, and 14-year-old saints whose holiness, prayer, and joy have impacted the world and the Church. A relationship with Christ isn’t reserved for adults and we believe that the lives of the saints prove that to us.
Middle Schoolers have big questions and desires that need to be heard, understood, and answered in Middle School. Our Church needs vibrant ministry to Middle Schoolers because studies show that 13 is the median age a person stops identifying as Catholic. Even if their family still attends mass, even if they attend faith formation or Catholic School, 13 is most likely the age they’ve decided if they will continue to be Catholic later in life.
At The Roots, we firmly believe that a Middle Schooler decides to identify as Catholic because they’ve had a personal encounter with Christ that impacts their whole life. They’ve come to know and believe that a personal relationship with Him is possible and leads to a joy-filled life. The Roots seeks to make the Catholic faith vibrant and personal by offering opportunities to encounter the love of Christ through our joyful community, prayer, reflection on Church teaching, and the Sacraments.
Stay up-to-date and register for Parent Emails HERE.
The Roots Offerings
Youth Nights
The Roots offers regular youth nights throughout the year for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. These youth nights are large group events with high-energy games, talks, fellowship, and prayer. This is an event for everyone and accessible to all! No registration is required and you can attend any large group events of your choosing just. This year, to make sign-in easier we ask if parents can pre-sign-in their children.
Aspen Small Groups
Aspen groups are The Roots’ small group ministry for 7th and 8th graders. Inspired by the interconnected root system of Aspen trees, Aspen small groups intend to help middle schoolers deepen their faith in community with others. Students are placed in small groups with their peers and guided by 2 adult Core Team members. Registration and a commitment to be present at regular small group meetings are required as small group space is limited. Registered middle schoolers journey through games, meals, sharing, and prayer with their small group. Registration includes a series of questions for both the parent and their middle schooler.
Food is an important part of middle school ministry as students come together over a meal to share in their Catholic identity. Did you know we host 100-130 middle school students each month during the school year for faith and community nights? Feeding this many mouths (and souls) requires a significant investment of resources, so we need your help.
For those unable to commit to a specific evening, we also accept funds to offset food costs for middle school ministry. Give directly HERE and make a gift to support the youth ministry program’s food budget.
Sign-in Volunteers
Signing in at a youth night is often a long process, out of a desire to help streamline that process we are asking parents to help us with sign-in. Sign-in volunteers welcome Middle Schoolers and their parents, assist them in signing in, and collect their permission forms. Sign-in volunteers arrive at 6:00 pm and are finished once the last youth is signed in, around 6:45 pm. Completion of a Protecting God’s Children class is required prior to volunteering. The link below will take you to the required volunteer paperwork, as well as the Volunteer sign-in sheet.
The “Parent Life” blog from Life Teen. Parent Life is a Website dedicated to educating parents on teen culture so that they can be empowered to fearlessly and faithfully guide their teenagers through the modern world.
Core Team
Core Team members are adults, young adults, and parents who receive training in Middle School Ministry. They seek to intentionally accompany Middle Schoolers on their journey of faith by being a constant presence at The Roots. They lead small groups and write and give talks and witnesses. By establishing personal relationships with those they minister to Core Team members have the unique ability to offer their witness of the Christian life. Core Team Members are present at every youth night, lead a small group of 8th Graders at Leadership Team meetings, and participate in a monthly formation night.
CATHOLIC YOUTH SUMMER CAMP ST BRENDAN MS and HS Week 4: Register HERE
This year both High Schoolers and Middle Schoolers are encouraged to register for Week #4 (June 30 – July 6)
St Brendan has created a $10,000 grant to give $100 to the first 100 parishioners to register for CYSC, regardless of week or campus. When registering, use the code BRENHILL24.
Registration opens for middle school on October 25 at 9 pm.
CYSC also offers a “Winter Camp” Follow this link to find out more information.
Click HERE for more information on receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Brendan.
