Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church at 4865 11 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341 US - Middle School
| Middle School |
MIDDLE SCHOOL WEEKLY PROGRAMS:
URGENCY – Every Sunday night from 6-7:30pm all middle school students are invited to OLC for URGENCY. Our nights focus on encountering Christ, finding our identity in Christ and being a disciple of Christ. The night includes music, fellowship, recreation, a brief sharing, small groups, prayer and on various nights opportunities to participate in service projects. Each week a handout will be sent home from Urgency explaining the topic of the night as well as information for upcoming activities. (Faith Formation Schedule 2009-10)
THE EDGE – A little more comfortable with a smaller crowd? Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:15– 7:30pm for THE EDGE, a Bible Study for middle school students. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to dive into, experience and explore the Sunday readings in a small group setting. We’ll discuss how the readings relate to everyday life & challenge one another to grow deeper in understanding our faith. (Faith Formation Schedule 2009-10)
Please Note: This year key topics of Theology of the Body will be introduced during Urgency, Edge nights and Retreats. Topics will include: the way to experience true happiness and freedom; the truth about God's original design for human sexuality; the dignity of the human person, how it was distorted through sin, how it has been restored and renewed through the redemption of Jesus Christ; and Catholic teachings regarding the sanctity of marriage.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS:
Confirmation - Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, a person celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and a renewed commitment to his/her belief in the Catholic Church. We strongly believe that Confirmation is a journey into an ever-growing, ever-maturing faith, not the end of religious formation. At OLC, preparation consists of a series of Sponsor/Teen Sessions engaging and exploring the elements of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation preparation begins in the winter of a student’s eighth grade year. (OLC Confirmation Information)
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIAL EVENTS:
Middle School SHINE Youth Rally: For over 14 years the Diocese has offered the MS SHINE Youth Conference. This day long rally offers great speakers, music, recreation and has always included Mass. The date for MS SHINE is March 20th, 2010 from 12pm – 9pm (worship led by the Pete Cornelius Band). Registration forms available on the parish website. Registration fee of $20 along with the forms are due March 14th, 2010. (Registration at the door is $25). (MS SHINE Permission Form) (Medical Release Form for Non-Parishioners of OLC)
URGENCY Retreats: Retreats are a great time to get away and expand your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Fall Retreat: The Fall retreat is a day-long retreat that will lack nothing overnight retreats have offered. This retreat is designed to be welcoming to those teens who have never attended a retreat, yet deep enough to satisfy those who have been on many retreats before!! The retreat is November 7, 2009 from 10am – 8pm. This year we are excited to have with us the NET TEAM (National Evangelization Team) for the Fall Retreat. The NET Team is a group of 10-12 young people who travel around the country in a 15-passenger van, facilitating retreats for middle and high school youth (go to www.netusa.org for more info on this awesome ministry). The topic for this year’s Fall Retreat is “WHY FAITH?”. Registration forms are available online. The registration fee of $15, along with the completed registration forms are due Nov, 2nd, 2009. Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is requested for planning purposes. (“WHY FAITH?” Urgency Permission Form ) (Medical Release Form for Non-Parishioners of OLC)
Lenten Retreat: The Lenten retreat is a longer retreat designed to further deepen the student’s relationship with Jesus Christ. The extra time on an overnight retreat gives teens an opportunity to get away from the busy world of school, sports, band, homework, and all the extra-curricular activities in order to spend some time during the Lenten season preparing their heart. This retreat will include great speakers, music, skits, dramas, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mass and various times/types of worship. The Lenten Retreat is March 6 – 7, 2010 (Note new days/times – Saturday Morning through Sunday Morning). Registration forms are available online. The registration fee of $35 along with the completed registration forms are due March 1st, 2010. This retreat is limited to the first 100 participants that sign up. So please sign up early. (Lenten Retreat Permission Form Coming Soon!)
(Medical Release Form for Non-Parishioners of OLC)
URGENCY Christmas Party: At the conclusion of the first semester of Faith Formation, the middle school students celebrate Christmas with a party at the Belmont YMCA (located at Jupiter Ave. and Post Dr.). During this time they enjoy fellowship with their classmates and friends. Activities will include the rock wall, teen zone, basketball, swimming, batting cages and of course PIZZA – all for $10!!! Students are encouraged to invite their friends. The party is December 13th from 5 - 8PM. Permission forms are available on the parish website and are required for participation. (URGENCY Christmas Party Permission Form) (YMCA Release Form) (Medical Release Form for Non-Parishioners of OLC)
URGENCY Year End Party: Put this date on the calendar now!!! We will be ending our year of Faith Formation with a celebration at AJ’S FAMILY FUN CENTER. For $10 you will have two hours of unlimited go carts, slick cars, mini-golf and of course the arcade will be available, followed by a Pizza Party!!! Friends are encouraged to attend. The party is April 25th from 5 – 7:30PM. (Rain date is Wednesday April 28th from 5 – 7:30PM). The arcade will be available to the students, so if you want them to play in the arcade make sure they bring money for the tokens. Permission forms are available on the parish website and are required for participation. (URGENCY Year End Party Permission Form) (Medical Release Form for Non-Parishioners of OLC)
EXALT Nights: Back by very popular demand, EXALT Nights will be offered again this year on November 15th, 2009 and March 14th, 2010. EXALT Nights are held in the church and are open to the entire parish. These nights are a great night to bring family and friends. EXALT Nights are led by the High School Peer Ministry Team and consist of a powerful talk from a dynamic speaker, upbeat contemporary worship music, and a time of Adoration and Benediction. Exalt Nights start at 6:00PM and conclude at 7:30PM. Since relevant topics are discussed at these nights, they are still considered part of the faith formation process and attendance is expected just as it’s expected on all Urgency nights. Friends and family are always invited to attend!
SERVICE PROJECTS: Jesus said “"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." (Matt 9:37-38). In following Jesus call to service, the Middle School students will be involved in several service projects throughout the year. Our trail mix project around Christmas time prepares over 1,000 bags of snacks for the less fortunate. Also around Christmas we assist with Toys-For-Tots, to gain a deeper understanding of Christ’s coming at Christmas.