The Junior High Religious Education Program aims to provide age appropriate catechesis, activities and experiences that enhance the faith development of the young adolescent. In addition to small group catechesis and faith sharing, teens will have opportunities to participate in a variety of social and service activities in the community.
Students will become familiar with the Old Testament, study the various forms of personal and communal prayer, explore the sacraments, and examine how the Church, its teachings, prayers and sacraments affect us today.
Grade six meets in the catechist’s home in small groups, twice per month, for two hours. For families that qualify, we offer small group meetings in the building; the sixth grade group meets weekly for one hour and fifteen minutes. We are using the textbook series, Christ Jesus the Way. This series provides an integrated curriculum. Copies of all texts are available for preview by parents/guardians.
Grades 7 and 8 meet twice per month at the Church on alternating Mondays, from 6:30PM-8:30PM for the EDGE program. This is a two year curriculum and grades 7 and 8 will follow the same curriculum. Students will be led by one adult and one high school teen Core Team Leader.
Students that are unable to attend on Mondays or that cannot learn in the large group environment have the option of home schooling or small in-home groupings by special arrangement. The home school curriculum and in home groupings will use the textbook, Christ Jesus the Way.
Junior High students at SES have experienced these activities to promote vocation awareness:
- The showing of the vocations video ‘Fishers of Men’
- ‘07 and ‘08 Adoration prayer services for vocations on Vocations Sunday
- ‘07 A presentation from our own seminarian (Fr. Dindo) and about our own Missionary of Charity (Sr. Joshua Marie)
- April ‘09 Retreats entitled God’s Call
- ‘08 A Cluster event entitiled God’s Game Plan where representatoives from seminaries and convents spoke to the teens
- July ‘09 First ever Jr Hi YLC with seminarians, religious
- Sep ‘09 An elective Diocesan Vocations event entitled Jump For Joy
Sixth Grade:
Christ Jesus the Way, Published by Benziger/ Mc Graw -Hill
- Find the roots of their faith in the study of the Hebrew Scriptures.
- Become aware of the deep involvement of God, our Creator, in every aspect of our lives. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant; one who proclaims the coming of the kingdom and who brings the New Covenant.
- Visit a Synagogue and discuss Jewish customs and traditions. Attend a follow up presentation to relate those traditions to the roots of our faith.
- Participate in several Large Group activities and service projects.
Seventh and Eighth Grade
Year One: The Mass, Our Relationship with Jesus
The EDGE – Catholic Middle School Ministry by Kevin McGloin, Lifeteen resources, additional approved textbook resources.
- Review general facts about the Catholic Faith
- Study the History and Parts of the Mass.
- Review Sacrament of Reconciliation, decision making.
- Know the Stations of the Cross. Practice leadership in prayer.
- Attend Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Mary’s role in the church and praying with Mary and the Saints.
- Discuss issues pertaining to Junior high age students
- Participate in a variety of service projects.
Seventh and Eighth Grade
Year Two: Morality, Discipleship
The EDGE – Catholic Middle School Ministry by Kevin McGloin, Lifeteen resources, additional approved textbook resources
- Morality – discuss the teachings of the Catholic Church on major topics relating to morality.
- Study the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.
- Review the Sacraments of Healing and Vocation.
- Discuss issues pertaining to junior high age students.
- Faith in Action, Service projects i.e. Harvest Sunday.
8th Grade only -TEENQUEST service projects, Retreat.
Seventh Grade (home school or special in-home grouping)
Christ Jesus the Way, Publisher Benzinger/ McGraw-Hill
- Learn about the life of Jesus.
- Develop an awareness of Jesus as Sacrament in the Holy Eucharist.
- Look into the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
- Know the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Study the teaching authority of the Church, decision making and moral choices and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Review the Sacraments of Vocation.
- Discuss how the Church serves others and how we are called to work for peace and Justice out of love for Christ.
- Become familiar with the various forms of public and private prayer.
- Know the Stations of the Cross. Practice leadership in prayer.
- Participate in a variety of service projects.
Eighth Grade (home school or special in-home grouping)
Christ Jesus the Way, Publisher Benziger/Mc Graw-Hill
- Learn that by our Baptism we are set apart and called to serve.
- Know the language of our faith as it pertains to the Sacraments and the rites.
- Discuss our relationships with God and others. Seek to emulate the saints.
- Study the growth of the Church.
- Investigate the forms of personal prayer and the prayers of the church
- Develop an awareness of their mission to make a difference in the world.
- Harvest Sunday and TEENQUEST- service projects
- Participate in a grade level retreat.
