Youth Programs
The EDGE (Grades 6-8)
What is The EDGE?
The EDGE is a youth ministry for Middle School students that is Catechetical, Relational, Experiential, and Catholic.
EDGE is for 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders...
This generation has seen a shift in development. What high schoolers five or ten years ago were going through is what our middle school kids are going through today. The EDGE meets them at a time when they aren’t quite children, but not quite teens in high school yet. Giving them a solid foundation in middle school, gives them an edge (pun intended) on the pressures of the culture and their peers. So they’ll be better equipped to use the tools of the Catholic faith to help them fight temptations and remain true to who they are – children of God, deeply loved and cared for. Kids come out of the EDGE stronger leaders at school, home, and in their faith lives.
SESSIONS BEGIN: OCTOBER 2, 2012
The EDGE meets Sundays in Geary Hall, from 3pm until 4:45pm—at which time we invite and encourage our Middle Schoolers to go with us to our 5pm Youth Mass!
LifeTeen (Grades 9-12)
Our Mission is simple – Lead Teens Closer to Christ. Our goal is to empower teens to fall in love with our Lord, make their Catholic faith their own, and to serve as Christian leaders in the parish, local, and global community. Faced with pressure, stress, and crazy schedules, Life Teen is a place to laugh, ask questions, find God, re-center and re-focus your life, and be a part of a supportive community.
Youth-Oriented Mass
Sundays at 5pm we invite you to join our Life Teen Youth Mass. The Youth Mass features more contemporary or praise and worship music, engaging homilies, and teen-oriented hospitality. Teens also serve in liturgical ministry roles during the liturgy. We’re always excited to welcome new liturgical ministers as: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality Ministers, Greeters, and Music Ministry volunteers.
Life Nights
Life Nights are weekly youth ministry gatherings from 6:15pm-8pm in the Teen Center (attached to Geary Hall). We start with dinner and fellowship and continue with skits, talks, discussions, and prayer around topics of faith and everyday life issues. It’s a place to meet people, make new friends, go deeper in your relationship with God, find greater meaning and purpose to your faith, develop character, and find a supportive community.
Core Team
Jesus didn’t just hand the first disciples a bible and then peace out – He came down from Heaven, took on human flesh, and entered into the lives of the disciples and each person He encountered. As followers of Christ, the Core Team is a group of people who are responding to their Baptismal Call by entering into the lives of Teens and leading them closer to Christ.
If you have questions, contact Lindsey West, Youth Ministry Coordinator – l.west@sacredheartsaratoga.org or 408-867-3634 ext 527
Check out the Sacred Heart Saratoga Youth Ministry Website: http://sacredheartsaratogayouthministry.wordpress.com/
Catechist Program
This program recruits and prepares Catechists to teach our children, ages 3 through 14. An orientation is provided for each new catechist, as well as access to free Diocesan training relevant to their grade level or interests. All materials such as student books, teacher lessons, and class art supplies are provided. Parish youth are also encouraged to signup to be a Catechist or a Catechist assistant. We have several Catechists who have earned 20 year awards for teaching service within our parish. Start your Catechetical teaching career today!
Vacation Bible Camp (VBC)
Vacation Bible Camp is a one week morning or all-day camp that teaches children Bible stories about Jesus and God’s love. They enjoy prayerful songs, stories, outdoor games, mission outreach, crafts and class time. VBC creates an environment that builds life-long connections to our faith and each other. Campers from ages 4 years to entering 6th grade are invited to participate. Teens, 7th grade to College are invited to be Counselors. A class for 3 year olds is offered to 5-day volunteers. The dates for this year’s Vacation Bible Camp are June 18-21, 2012. Register Online, through April 16, using the link on the left side of the homepage. For more information call the Faith Formation Office at (408) 867-1530.