In our Faith Formation classes, children meet in a classroom setting where the main focus is to instruct them in Catholic teaching from a book. This is a sustainable method, especially for younger children who learn best through memorizing and are growing in their ability to apply what they learn. Children grow in knowledge of their faith, the Liturgy, and the Sacraments, and they begin laying a moral foundation based on Christ and His teachings. On a higher level, children learn to pray with God the Father, Son, and Spirit; they learn to actively participate in parish community; and they learn to be missionaries for Christ outside of the parish.

While all of the above learning applies, we take a different approach for middle school youth ministry. Youth who have been taught from an early age have the foundation and base knowledge of Catholic teaching and tradition. To better prepare youth to be active participants in the parish and faithful missionaries for Christ, we engage in relational ministry.

If we focus on the Gospels, Jesus choose twelve men to instruct and pour His love into; looking deeper, the Gospels reveal the deep, personal, intimate relationships He shared with Simon Peter and the beloved disciple John. Through knowing the person of Christ, the Apostles grew in their knowledge of the good news Jesus came to share, as well as how to pray and be in relationship with the Trinity. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were set afire with the love of God and passionately shared it the good news with other believers and those who had yet to receive the Gospel message.

Jesus is our example for relational ministry – true conversion begins with true relationship. To help youth foster a deep, personal, intimate relationship with God the Father, Son, and Spirit, we as adult leaders must first form deep, personal, and healthy relationships with the youth by meeting them where they are at and walking with them closer to Christ. Following Christ’s example, we minister to a few (adult leaders) and prepare them to minister to a few (middle schoolers) so that we may intentionally minister to the many.

Carpe Diem is Latin for “seize the day,” and this name was chosen by the youth in our inaugural middle school group in 2004. Those middle schoolers understood that in our relationship with Christ, we must seize the day, receiving and living each day as the gift God desires it to be. This is an attitude we strive to pass on to each youth who participates in Carpe Diem. In this, we desire to form young men and women seeking Sainthood, beginning with their identity as beloved children of God, our loving Father, and give them opportunities to encounter the living God in Scripture, the Eucharist, and the Sacraments.

Weekly youth nights are structured to engage body, mind, and soul. Gathering at the church, we build community and engage the body through conversation, games/activities, and food [come on, they’re (pre-)teens!]. We spend the bulk of our evening focused on the mind and soul – a talk followed by small group discussion/activities, ending with an intentional time of prayer and encounter with our Lord. Topics include the Sacraments, prayer, the Mass, the Liturgical Calendar, virtues (just to name a few!). Youth engage in various types of prayer, including Lectio Divina, Night Prayer, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, praying with Saints, and litanies.

While teaching youth to know, love, and serve God is our top priority, it is important to also teach youth that a relationship with Jesus is desirable, joyful, and fun. In addition to weekly meetings, we have social nights and service opportunities to focus on building relationships and having good, clean fun. We have Adult Leaders who work very hard to bring Christ to our youth community. If you are looking to get involved, please feel free to show up and experience what it means to be a part of our Carpe Diem family.