Following the lead of the Diocese of Phoenix’s Young Apostles Formation plan, High school evangelization will be more effective if a meaningful and directed outreach has met the evangelistic needs of early adolescents. For many, this period of pre-adolescence can be a very difficult time both physically and emotionally. Middle school outreach can have a variety of approaches that allow the participant to learn about Christ, His love and His teachings. A middle school youth program will help the participants begin to see Christ in every aspect of their lives, portraying Him as a true hero to emulate.

Effective middle school programs should encourage enthusiasm, loyalty, energy, candidness, a willingness to learn and a sense of the holy. Those involved in a parish’s high school youth program can begin to form community with middle school teens by assisting in the middle school outreach. Middle school programs provide an excellent opportunity to begin the pre-evangelistic, evangelistic and catechetical outreach to teens. A major priority of this ministry must be to invite middle school students to full participation in their parish high school youth programs.

Youth Ministry sessions are Mondays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm in St. John XXIII Hall.