Is my child required to attend Edge?

Yes. As part of St. Mary's Faith Formation program, all students in grades 6–8 are expected to participate in Edge. The Catholic Church calls parishes to provide ongoing catechetical formation for children and youth—not only in preparation for the sacraments, but also after First Communion as they continue growing in their relationship with Christ. At St. Mary's, Edge fulfills this important part of our parish's faith formation journey leading toward Confirmation in 11th grade!

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Do I have to be Catholic to attend Edge?

Not at all! Everyone in grades 6–8 is welcome at Edge. Whether you're Catholic, another Christian denomination, or simply curious about the faith, we'd love to have you join us. The only requirement is that you are registered for the program.

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Can my child bring a friend?

Absolutely! We love when friends come to Edge. Invite a classmate, teammate, or neighbor to experience a fun night of games, community, and faith together. Friends are always welcome! If they would like to attend reguarly, we invite them to register as well! 

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What if my child has sports or other Wednesday commitments?

We get it—middle schoolers are busy! While Edge is designed to be attended weekly so students can build friendships, grow with their small group, and get the most out of the experience, we know that sports, school activities, and other commitments happen. We still encourage you to register! Since Edge doesn't begin until 7:00 PM, many of our teens come straight from practice with their backpacks in hand or wearing their sports gear. We would much rather have your child join us whenever they can than miss out altogether!

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What does a typical night at Edge look like?

Each Wednesday includes a light snack, fun games, engaging talks, prayer, and time in consistent small groups. Every middle schooler is placed in a small group led by Virtus trained adult leaders and high school Core Team members who get to know them throughout the year, creating a welcoming environment where friendships and faith can grow.

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Who will be in my child's small group?

Small groups are organized by grade level and are intentionally created to help every student feel welcomed, known, and excited to come to Edge each week. During registration, we'll ask for a few preferences (like friends they'd enjoy being with), and we'll do our very best to honor those requests while creating balanced groups. Our goal is for every middle schooler to be in a group where they feel comfortable building friendships, growing in their faith, and having fun. Each group is led by a trained adult leader alongside a high school Core Team member who will walk with your child throughout the year.

 

Why are the same small groups used each week?

We believe relationships matter. By meeting with the same small group and leaders each week, students build trust, develop meaningful friendships, and have a comfortable place to ask questions and grow in their faith.

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Is there a homeschool option for Edge?

Yes! We understand that every family has unique needs, so St. Mary offers a homeschool faith formation option for families who are unable to participate in Edge. Families choosing this option will receive an Alive in Christ textbook for their child's grade level to work through together at home throughout the year. Parents play the primary role in guiding their child's faith formation using the provided materials.

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While this homeschool option fulfills St. Mary's middle school faith formation requirement, it is not a replacement for the full Edge experience. Edge offers much more than curriculum—it provides weekly community, consistent small groups, engaging talks, prayer, games, and opportunities for students to build friendships and grow in their faith alongside their peers. Because of this, we strongly encourage families to choose Edge whenever possible and reserve the homeschool option for those who truly need.

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