Incarnation Catholic Church

Our Junior High Faith Formation program & Youth Ministry is offered for students who are in Grades 6-8. The program is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young adolescents. It is open to students who have received their First Communion, but are not yet of age to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. 
 
The mission of our Junior High program is to help young adolescents say “Yes” to a relationship with God, and to further strengthen that relationship. Through various activities & small group sharing, our young adolescents will begin that journey of walking with Jesus in their lives. They will be assisted in identifying and understanding how God is working in their lives, and come to a new realization of faith within the context of our Parish community.

• 11 Faith Formation Sessions
• Two Retreat Experiences: Holy Fire Workshop and Junior High Retreat

The first year of Confirmation preparation (Year 1) will be focused on learning the basics about our faith – what we believe in, and how we pray. The focus will also be on that initial encounter with Jesus. We will be learning about what makes Catholics unique, what the Sacraments are, and what it means to say “Yes” to God’s invitation into a relationship with Him. We will also be looking into Jesus’ earthly ministry, His teachings and His miracles, and what His Passion, death, and Resurrection mean for all of us.

• 1 Family Orientation in September
• 11 Catechetical Sessions (2 with Parents)
• 2 Joint Sessions (Kickoff and Christmas Party)
• 10 hours of Liturgical Service at the 4PM Youth Mass
• 20 hours of Service to the Parish Community of Incarnation
• Two Retreat Experiences: Youth Day and Year 1 Retreat

Having had that initial encounter with Jesus, students going into Year 2 will be guided on how to practically apply in their everyday lives what they have learned in Year 1. Year 2 students will be looking at ways in which they can be missionary disciples of Jesus through fostering better relationships with their families and friends, discussing current social and pastoral issues that affect teens, and focusing on ways where Catholic social teaching can be put into action. All of this culminates in receiving the Holy Spirit at the rite of Confirmation during the Easter season.

• 1 Family Orientation in September
• 11 Catechetical Sessions (2 with Parents, 1 with Sponsors)
• 2 Joint Sessions (Kickoff and Christmas Party)
• 10 hours of Liturgical Service at the 4PM Youth Mass
• 20 hours of Service to the Parish Community of Incarnation
• Two Retreat Experiences: Youth Day and Year 2 Retreat

• Discussion of various Gen Z issues such as: handling expectations, mental health awareness, God in media, peer pressure, etc.
• Social/Game nights
• Movie nights
• Sports activities
• Leadership workshops

Exalt nights are nights of prayer, praise & worship, and adoration. These are nights when we as a group experience prayer as our “direct line” to God. There will be two Exalt nights this year – one in December for Advent, and one in March for Lent.