Junior High
Get Involved - Shared Ministry Opportunities
NOTE: 9th Grade teens are included with the LifeTeen and Senior High programs.
Barry Shay, Coordinator 763-425-9801
The Junior High Program offers an opportunity for young people to move beyond their childhood images of God, Church and Faith. They are challenged to build a more mature relationship with God, to become an active member of their Faith Community, and to glorify God in service.
The Junior High Program combines a traditional small group setting with a variety of experiential learning situations. This dynamic process leads to discussion, reflection and prayer. The curriculum incorporates speakers, retreats, small group discussions, social gatherings, and service projects and creates a rich holistic approach to Junior High Faith Formation.
Junior High teens gain a deeper understanding of their role as "Christ to others" through Social Justice projects. Each class will create their own social justice project that will benefit the community and allow the students to understand the power and relevance of their faith in action.
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SEVENTH GRADE
Text: Finding God: Following Jesus
Loyola Press
Our program seeks to integrate the faith of our Junior High students by offering innovative, imaginative, and practical approaches to lifelong faith formation.
In Following Jesus each young person will be encouraged to develop a more personal and practical relationship with Jesus in his or her daily life. They will also learn to become more connected with their faith and community through prayer and social justice.
In addition to their individual class projects, 7th Grade Groups will raise funds and awareness for the Heifer Project, which draws attention to the justice and mercy needed in third world countries. Students are also encouraged to attend a half-day retreat just for 7th Graders in February (Sat. Feb. 20th).
Small group sessions and large group activities are held at St. Joseph the Worker on Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Small groups are selected at random. At registration, teens may request to be assigned to a group of a specific catechist or friend. Special requests will be accommodated as best as possible but are not assured. Groups will change slightly from year to year. If a change is needed, it must be to be approved by the coordinator.
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EIGHTH GRADE
Text: Finding God: Celebrating Church
Loyola Press
Our program seeks to integrate the faith of our Junior High students by offering innovative, imaginative, and practical approaches to lifelong faith formation.
In Following Jesus each young person will be challenged to reflect on the foundations of our faith and their roles and responsibilities in this universal community called church.
Students will explore the nature of morality, its rational foundations, and the new dimensions and relevance that faith gives to those foundations.
In addition to their individual class projects, 8th Grade Groups will experience social justice themes through the Hunger Meal experience as well as participating in raising funds for Souper Bowl of Caring and Heifer International. Students are also encouraged to attend a half-day retreat just for 8th Graders in April (Sat. April. 17th).
Small group sessions and large group activities are held at St. Joseph the Worker on Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Small groups will change slightly from year to year. If a change is needed, it must be to be approved by the coordinator.
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Social Justice and Service Projects
Small Group Projects:
Each 7th and 8th grade small group will choose their own Social Justice project based on one of the seven key themes of Catholic Social Justice teaching. They will work on components of their project throughout the year. At the end of the year each group will make a public presentation on their project.
Scavenger Hunt for Food:
This annual event is a great way for our students to get connected with the community and is one of the key resources for our parish Holiday Baskets program (Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets given to families in need in our community). Each 7th grade class will venture out into Maple Grove area neighborhoods in search of non-perishable food donations that will be used for holiday food baskets assembled here at St. Joseph the Worker. We collect a wide variety of needed items, from green beans to frozen turkeys. Last year, 70 teens and parents collected over 1200 items in one hour! Everyone participating in the scavenger hunt is also encouraged to bring a donation.
For anyone wishing to contribute to the Holiday Baskets, feel free to drop off your food donation at the church the fist 2 weeks of November.
Heifer International:
Each year the 7th graders collect money for Heifer Project International. The Heifer Project is an organization that helps families across the globe improve their quality of life. Heifer gives the families animals ranging from cows to beehives, goats to water buffalo, pigs to donkeys and many more. Once the families have these animals they can sell the beeswax, honey, milk, eggs, wool, and meat to feed their family or have additional income for things like education or housing. Instead of a hand out, it is a help up. These gifts continue to give for years to come. To find out more, go to: www.heifer.org
Our fund raising efforts being in January and run until April. If you wish to make a donation to help us meet our goal of $5000 please contact the Faith Formation Office.
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Retreats
Retreat experiences are a vital component of our program and promote spiritual growth and awareness for Junior High teens allowing them to grow in their faith. We will address topics designed to strengthen the relationships of those around us, and, of course, our relationship with God.
7th Grade: All 7th Grade Teens Saturday, February 20, 2010
St. Joseph the Worker
1:00 pm to 6 pm (concludes with the 5 pm liturgy)
Cost - TBA
8th Grade: All 8th Grade Teens Saturday, April 17, 2010
St. Joseph the Worker
1 pm - 6 pm (concludes with the 5pm liturgy)
Cost – TBA
2009-2010 Junior High Faith Formation Session Schedule
Grades 7 & 8
(all times are 7:00-8:15 pm unless noted)
2009
September 30
October 7, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18
December 2, 9, 16
2010
January 6, 13, 27
February 3, 10, 24
March 3, 10, 17, 24
April 7, 14, 21, 28*
*April 28 is the closing Mass for 7th & 8th graders and their families – attendance is required.
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Jr. High Special Dates and Events
(see Barry for details)
Special Events will be announced and posted as soon as details are known. These will include Summer Stretch registration dates, Jr. High Rec Nights, lock-in dates, service projects, retreat/camp opportunities and more…
Scavenger Hunt for Food (7th Grade only)
Registration Deadline: October 28th 2009.
Event Date: November 4th 2009.
Mayhem Lock-In (7th-9th Grade)
Registration Deadline: January 13th 2010
Event Date: January 22nd (10 PM) – 23rd (6 AM),
7th Grade Retreat (7th Grade Only)
Registration Deadline: February 10th 2010.
Event Date: February 20th 2010 (1-6 PM)
Summer Stretch (7th-9th Grade)
Registration Opens: February 17th 2010.
Registration Deadline: April 21st 2010.
Event Dates: TBA.
8th Grade Retreat (8th Grade Only)
Registration Deadline: April 7th 2010.
Event Date: April 17th 2010 (1-6 PM)
Jr. High Social Justice Night (Small group Presentations)
Event Date: April 21st 2010 (7 PM)
(Family, friends, and ministry partners are invited)
Jr. High Celebration Mass (7th-8th Grade)
Event Date: April 28th 2010 (7 PM)
(Student attendance is required; Family and friends welcomed)
Junior High Catechist In-services
Fall In-Services
Areas covered in the In-service will include the Catechist Handbook, parish policies and procedures, schedules, retreats, and lesson plans. Additionally, we will introduce two new significant components of our Jr. High Program; Small Group Social Justice Projects and a new curriculum for 7th & 8th grade.
Winter Evening of Appreciation (for All Catechists)
Wednesday, January 20, Time TBA
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