Our mission is to inspire youth to an ongoing encounter with Christ in His Church and to empower each one to live their whole life in His love. Middle School Youth Discipleship Ministry lives this out through thought-provoking formation, habit-forming prayer, and opportunities for authentic friendship.
Every opportunity below has fundraising and scholarship support available, so cost never has to be the reason a young person stays home.
Programs for Grades 6-8
Charge Nights are our monthly social nights for middle schoolers. Every evening features food, games, music, talks, and prayer, so that middle schoolers can have fun together and be encouraged to grow deeper in their love of Christ. Charge Nights are free and open to anyone in grades 6-8, even if they do not go to St. Therese, and they continue through the summer.
Blaze is our Catholic middle school youth discipleship program. It provides a safe, fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. The program is a two-year cycle covering the essential teachings of the Catholic faith, centered on the Creed, the Sacraments, the moral life, and a life of prayer, along with salvation history in the Old and New Testaments.
Ascend has been created especially for St. Therese eighth graders to help them understand what they believe and why, give them the tools to defend those beliefs, and fall in love with Christ while doing it. Ascend features basic Christian apologetics, teaching on how to live a Christian life, and opportunities to encounter Christ. It is also the first year of Confirmation preparation at St. Therese.
Extreme Faith Camp
Each summer our middle schoolers head to Extreme Faith Camp, a high-adventure Catholic summer camp that has changed lives. Visit the camp page to learn more.
Preparing for Confession
These guides help young people prepare well for the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Youth Ministry Scholarship Fund
Through this fund, St. Therese Youth Discipleship Ministry provides full and partial scholarships so our youth can afford camps, retreats, conferences, and other powerful ministry events, along with expenses like transportation, food, and chaperone fees. You can give to the Youth Ministry Scholarship Fund here.
Questions, or ready to get your family involved? Email msym@st-therese.org. We would love to welcome your middle schooler.