Grades 6 to 8 - Middle school

Middle School faith formation begins on Wednesday, September 29. If you have questions about middle school faith formation, contact Rick Craig, our Director of Middle School and High School Faith Formation/Youth Minister via email at rcraig@churchofsttimothy.com or by calling the parish office. 

To view a one page printable PDF of the 2021-2022 calendar for middle school faith formation, please click here. 

 

Faith formation, also known as catechesis, is one component of a comprehensive youth ministry.  In this section we outline our traditional weekly faith formation expectations and invite you to view our Youth Ministry page to see the full extent of the ministry to, with, by and for youth at St. Timothy’s.

Middle school students participate in a weekly youth group meeting in which they learn faith experientially.  Using activities, games, small group conversations, music, prayer and social time, this style of learning fosters an energetic atmosphere and allows students to fully engage with their Catholic faith.  Our curriculum follows a three-year cycle.

• Year 1: Old Testament, Commandments, Morality
• Year 2: Church History, Prayer, Sacraments
• Year 3: Jesus in the New Testament, Apostle’s Creed, Discipleship.

Middle schoolers meet weekly on most Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m., September-April, at the Hospitality Center. Our Wednesday evening gatherings follow this general schedule

General Format
6:30     Welcome, Icebreaker
6:40     Main lesson of the night (large group, small group format)
7:35     Praise and Worship
7:50     Prayer and announcements
8:00     Open gym, social time, snacks
8:30     Dismissal

Youth Group Leadership
Small group leaders are adults and teens who have received the sacrament of confirmation. They assist people in participating in the large group activities as well as facilitate groups of six to eight youth through a discussion-based lesson plan. Leaders make a commitment to be with their group for at least nine weeks, the length of one of three units covered each year.

Overnight Retreats
A retreat is an opportunity to deepen your relationship with your friends in the youth group as well as with God.  Through active games, discussions, prayer, talks and activities, participants come to a better understanding of their own values and views of the world and themselves. A middle school retreat is offered once per year and middle school youth are encouraged to attend. The retreats begin Saturday morning and end with the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday. Retreats are held at St. Tim’s and led by the parish Peer Ministry Team and chaperoned by adults.

Camp TNT (Transformation Not Tolerance)
This is a dynamite week for people finishing 6th-8th grade each summer. For one week people participate in a morning program, service project then an afternoon fun activity. The meaning behind TNT is that we don’t just tolerate the injustices and needs around us - we transform ourselves and the world to right the injustice and to serve the needs of others. High School peer ministers assist in running the camp; parents and other adults over 21 provide transportation and supervision.

Social activities and service activities
Five to seven social or service activities for middle school youth are held throughout the year. Social activities include may include things such as hayrides/bonfires, Valleyfair excursions, ski/snowboarding trips, and lock-ins. Service activities include packing food at Feed My Starving Children, visiting at area nursing homes, and assisting with Vacation Bible School. 

Living Stations of the Cross
Middle and high school youth present the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday each year.  Non-speaking actors, narrators, and singers are needed.  Rehearsals are typically five Sunday afternoons leading up to Easter. To view the 2020 Living Stations of the cross (presented virtually due to pandemic precautions) click here to view the video on the St. Tim's YouTube channel.


Middle school youth at St. Timothy’s are welcome to participate in youth activities throughout the Archdiocese such as Archdiocesan Youth Day, local concerts, or collaborative events between churches. If you have ideas or suggestions for more youth ministry connections or events, please contact Rick Craig at rcraig@churchofsttimothy.com with your idea!