Middle School Ministry: EDGE (Grades 6-8)
EDGE Parent Meeting
Parents of current 5th graders are invited to an informational meeting about Our Lady of Mercy’s EDGE Middle School Youth Program.
When: May 14, 6:30pm
Where: OLM Gym
Questions? JoanaL@OLMercy.com
SAVE THE DATES!
Edge Social Days ~ Summer 2025
We will meet:
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Place: Our Lady of Mercy GYM
- May 12
- June 2
- July 21
Questions? JoanaL@OLMercy.com
What is EDGE?
The EDGE is a Catholic middle school youth ministry experience created for early adolescents in grades six, seven and eight. The EDGE is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young adolescents.
Kids are always welcomed and encouraged to invite their friends to the EDGE.
When We Meet
Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will participate in the EDGE program starting in September and going until April.
ALL EDGE Nights are 6:30-8:00pm in the PLC. (unless noted otherwise)
Topics will be presented to educate about the Christian Catholic faith and challenge the student to grow in a relationship with Christ. There will be large and small group activities.
EDGE Retreats
Students are expected to attend one retreat each year. Parents are needed to help chaperone. Please contact the Family Faith Formation Office for more details.
Retreat Theme: Self Esteem and Discipleship
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2025
Time: 8:30am to Noon (12:00pm)
Location: OLM Parish Life Center
The retreat will begin with 8:30am Mass.
Retreat will follow in the PLC and will be presented by Marmion Academy’s Outreach Ministry.
EDGE Catechist & Leaders
Our EDGE program, for our middle school students, is looking for some fun, loving, compassionate, spiritual, and caring adults and high school teens to help us for the coming year. We need help in these areas:
High School Teens:
Serve as a Peer Mentor and assist adult leaders in a small group.
Adults:
Help serve as a catechist or volunteer for the program. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or parishioner–you are welcome to help!
We need so many to help, and if many do, there will not be a huge time commitment. If you have questions or would like to get involved, please contact Dave Miserendino at DaveM@olmercy.com or (331)707-5371.
Please prayerfully think about this…our teens need YOU.
EDGE Night Calendar 2025-2026
Times: ALL EDGE Nights are 6:30-8:00 pm in the PLC. (unless noted otherwise)
9/8 – Parent Info Meeting
9/15 – Kick-Off Celebration
9/25 (Thurs) – Family Mass (6:30pm in church)
10/6 – EDGE Night
10/20 – EDGE Night
11/3 – EDGE Night
11/10 – EDGE Night
12/1 – EDGE Night
12/8 – EDGE Night
1/5 – EDGE Night
1/10 (Sat) – Yearly EDGE Retreat (8:30am-Noon)
1/26 – EDGE Night
2/2 – EDGE Night
2/23 – EDGE Night
3/2 – EDGE Night
3/23 – EDGE Night
4/20 – EDGE Night
4/27 – End of Year Celebration
Attendance/Absence Reporting: Please email us to report an absence at KarenS@olmercy.com.
EDGE Youth Group Events
These events are optional for all our 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
Thursday, Sept 25 – EDGE Family Mass
EDGE Family Mass at 6:30pm in the Church
Monday, Sept 29 – Bonfire Rosary Night
Enjoy a bonfire, dinner, games, and a group rosary.
Saturday, Nov 1 – Saints and Sweets
Saints and Sweets will be held in the church parking lot from 12 noon – 3:30pm.
Monday, Nov 17 – Friendsgiving Celebration & Craft
Enjoy a potluck Friendsgiving celebration with your EDGE friends, and create a craft to share.
Monday, Dec 15 – Christmas Caroling
Come join us to enjoy some Christmas Caroling!
Monday, Feb 16 – Mardi Gras Party
Come join us for pizza and lots of fun and games!
Saturday, March 7 – Holy Fire Joliet
Holy Fire Joliet from 9:30am-5:30pm
Hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Joliet presented by producers of NCYC
Monday, April 13 – Bonfire & Divine Mercy Chaplet
Come enjoy a bonfire, food, fun, games, and group praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet!
Joliet Diocese Youth Events
Holy Fire Joliet
Steubenville Joliet Youth Conference
Registration for Steubenville Joliet Youth Conference 2025 is closed.
Will update when Steubenville Joliet Youth Conference 2026 is available for registration sometime in November.
Join 2,000+ high school youth for a dynamic conference featuring speakers, music, fun, and worship.
Location: Benedictine University in Lisle, IL
When: Will be held a weekend around the end of June 2026
Service & Discipleship Opportunities
Parish Hospitality or Dinner Events
Help with setup, cleanup, serving meals, or greeting guests for parish events such as:
- Donut Sundays
- KOC Pancake Breakfasts
- Parish Social Events (Pig Roast, International Potluck, etc.)
Liturgy
Volunteer during Mass to help with the Liturgy.
Volunteer opportunities would include:
- Join the Children’s Choir
- Be an Altar Server
Other Discipleship Opportunities
- Attend Magnify (usually on the last Wednesday of the month)
Other Volunteer Opportunities
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- (8th Graders) Teen Mission Trip
- (8th Graders) Teen Living Stations on Good Friday
- Childcare Assistant for Adult Formation (ALPHA, Rescue, etc)
- Childcare Assistant for K-5 Formation
- Catechist Aide for K-5 Formation
Contact Us
Office of Family Faith Formation for Grades 6-12
Adolfo and Joana Lopez | EDGE Coordinators
AdolfoL@olmercy.com
JoanaL@olmercy.com
(331) 707-5375
Dave Miserendino | Director
DaveM@olmercy.com
(331) 707-5371
Karen Schwartz | Administrative Assistant
KarenS@olmercy.com
(331) 707-5369
