St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

Please read this column and know of the Lord's special care for us.

In our SJN staff meeting last month, we began as we always do, with "praises". The staff members offer thanks to God for all the blessings we have received throughout the week... in our ministries, in our liturgical prayer, in our parish fellowship, in our families.

During this thanksgiving part of the meeting, Life Teen's coordinator, Linda Koerner, offered a strong "praise" for our EDGE program, the program that brings together the 6th, 7th and 8th graders at SJN. Deacon Mike Byrne seconded this "praise" for the EDGE program.

Linda and Deacon Mike had just returned from a weekend retreat with SJN's 9th graders. Linda and Deacon Mike told the staff that the retreat was awesome, and that the ninth graders that attended the weekend retreat were open to the spiritual dimensions of the retreat in an extraordinary way. In the Life Teen program, this first retreat for the 9th graders is a "get-to-know" one another weekend. There are always lots of fun things to do, along with personal & liturgical prayer. Most 9th graders have no problem with the "fun stuff"; but getting acclimated to the "things of the Spirit" is a bit more of a challenge.

But at this year's 9th grade retreat, the teens were incredible in their openness to the "things of the Spirit". Linda Koerner and Deacon Mike told our staff that the EDGE program was what made this difference. Many of our 9th graders attending the retreat had participated in the EDGE program, and had learned from the EDGE core team about the new Way of life, seen in and through the Lord Jesus.

Linda Mauge and Nancy Fadeley, along with a great core team of teens (11th and 12th graders) and adults are a blessing to SJN. These leaders take our middle-schoolers where they are, and guide them in the "things of the Spirit." Linda and her EDGE team needs additional 11th & 12th graders, along with some committed adults... to strengthen the EDGE experience at SJN. For the love of God and for the love of our parish family, please think about assisting Linda with our middle-schoolers. Give Linda Mauge a call at the parish office.

***

This weekend, we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. To our PSR children, our middle-schoolers in EDGE, our teens in the Life Teen community and our families in Family Formation, I would ask this one question for all to think about: why should we exalt the cross?

***

The Fall Festival is upon us! On the 26th and 27th, our parish will come together for fun and fellowship…two key ingredients in the abundant life promised by the Lord. Please look to information in our bulletin, about ALL the goings-on at our Fall Festival. Come and join me in all the fun and fellowship... for the greater glory of God.


AMDG

Msgr. David Talley

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