Edge: A Place For Youth To Share In Faith, Friendship And Fun

It’s no secret — when youth have positive adult role models in their lives, they do better in the long run. When these adults are modeling the faith, all the better. Today’s youth are under a lot of pressure and stress, so anything that can be done to build a strong faith foundation is worth the effort.

To meet this need, we are blessed with the EDGE program. Produced by Life Teen, EDGE offers a place for sixth to eighth-grade youth to socialize, learn about the Catholic faith and have fun. There are also adults present with the youth during these events.

Kathy Knoblach and Rachel Bosl lead the EDGE program, which takes place at the Centre for Christ. As with so many other parish activities, adjustments have been made to the program due to COVID-19 restrictions. This school year, EDGE has consisted of a mix of virtual and in-person sessions, and the group has been split based on the hybrid learning model schedule at the public school.

“EDGE is a place where sixth to eighth-grade youth can gather with their friends and build up their faith in a fun and interactive way,” Kathy says.

The EDGE program covers topics that usually run for six weeks. The group has focused on prayer, Jesus, stress and friendships, just to name a few.

This is the second year of the EDGE program. Kathy and Rachel invite sixth to eighth-grade students to join at any point during the school year. In addition to the weekly meetings, there are service projects which will resume after the pandemic.

Sixth-graders Addy Bromenshenkel, Brooke Sunderman and Lily Sunderman are good friends who enjoy the EDGE program. They’ve all enjoyed participating in the program this year, despite the different format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, they appreciate having a place to discuss Catholic topics together.

“I like that this is a place where I can be open about my faith,” Addy says. “I can just be myself with no judgment.”

Lily enjoys the chance to play games with friends and other youth in the program. She also enjoys being in an environment centered on faith.

“It is fun to be able to play games and learn about my faith at the same time,” Lily says.

Brooke says this program has helped her to pray more and learn more about God.

“I’ve enjoyed playing games outside,” Brooke says. “It’s also a really good way to make friends.”

Addy’s mom, Paula, appreciates knowing the girls are having fun in a safe, religious environment. It also opens the door for them to discuss Catholic topics together.

“This is a great program,” Paula says. “I appreciate knowing the girls can be together learning about their faith.”

Public school students take a bus after school to the Centre for Christ, and Holy Family School students walk. If you would like to learn more, or to register for the program, please contact Kathy Knoblach at kathy@centreforchrist.com, or Rachel Bosl at rachel@centreforchrist.com.

Youth in the EDGE program made ornaments for those who had lost a family member in 2020.

This school year, EDGE has consisted of a mix of virtual and in-person sessions, and the group has been split based on the hybrid learning model schedule at the public school.

Youth gather to play games and socialize.

This is the second year of the EDGE program sixth to eighthgrade students are invited to join at any point during the school year.