St. Stephen Catholic Church
Middle School Youth Group "EDGE"
Middle School Youth Group "EDGE"
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Our Heartfelt Gratitude!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clergy—Fr. Dermot, Fr. Josh, and Fr. Primus—as well as our dedicated staff members Kim Davis, Margaret Hofacker and Rene Bonetti. A special thanks also goes to our Middle School Edge and Life Teen Core Teams. Your contributions have been vital in helping our Middle & High School Youth Ministry thrive and grow this past year. -
Middle School Youth Group (EDGE) When: Wednesday evenings Time: 7:15 - 8:30 pm (Grades 6-8) Location: Family Life Center 
Kierra Leopard
Welcome Kierra Leopard our new Youth & Young Adult MinisterKierra has loved being part of the St. Stephen community since her childhood. She is grateful for the gifts of attending St. Stephen Catholic School and the St. Stephen Life Teen Program. She treasures the many memories and friends she made through St. Stephen. Kierra graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville where she double majored in theology and catechetics. For the past four years she has been teaching theology at her aluma mater, Tampa Catholic High School.Kierra’s goals are to create a community of young people who love God, each other, and their faith so much that it inspires them to turn outward to serve their community. She is thrilled at the opportunity to serve as our Youth and Young Adult Minister and can’t wait to take on this position. Alongside her husband Drew, Kierra has been actively involved in the Core Team at Life Teen, and they are joyfully anticipating the arrival of their first child in early June.
Please join us in welcoming Kierra and her family as she looks forward to continuing her mission of guiding teens closer to Christ as she steps into the Youth & Young Adult Minister position here at St. Stephen this August!The Middle School EDGE Youth Group Faith Formation Program at St. Stephen Catholic Church is very fortunate to have Edge as our youth group curriculum in addition to our middle school classes. Edge Youth Group program provides an exciting, non-classroom environment where the youth of our parish can establish and nourish their relationship with God. This youth group program is in addition to Catechesis Classes and is not a substitute for them. We take our Catholic teachings and talk about applying them to an everyday, school setting. Middle School Edge Youth Minister Assistant: Rene Bonetti, 813-671-4434 Youth Ministry Assistant Team: Kim Davis, Rene Bonetti & Margaret Hofacker
_____________________________Why is Edge Middle School Youth Group important?
We all remember that middle school was awkward and difficult. That hasn’t changed. However, societal shifts have made the middle school years more difficult than ever.
Why is the Middle School Youth Group called "Edge"?
The program is called 'The EDGE' because the youth in this age range are on the 'edge' in terms of their mental, physical, and emotional development.
EDGE Adult Core Team Needed!
Is God calling you to work with our middle school youth? Please help us bring teens closer to Christ by being present as a core team member. Without adult volunteers, we cannot offer our various ministries and programs, so thank you for your willingness to join us!
EDGE Adult Core Time Commitments
Leading a small group
Guest speaker
Receptionist (assist with sign-in)
Hall Monitor
Snack planner
Retreat & Social Event Coordinator and
Core planning meetings (once a month)
Donating Fast & Fun Finger Food
Rene BonettiSign-Up to donate Fast & Fun Finger Food by contacting Rene Bonetti at Rene@ststephencatholic.org or call Rene at 813-671-4434.
Thank you to parents and parishioners for your delicious food donations!
Middle School EDGE Youth Group Calendar 2025-2026Summer Youth Group Calendar 2025 Middle School Youth Group Participation Form 2025-2026 Attention Parents: Middle School Youth Group Participation Form must be completed before your youth can participate in any Middle School youth activities. The participation youth group fee is $20.00. The Participation/Registration fee can be paid on our website under online giving at Online Giving For more information or if you have questions regarding the EDGE Middle School Youth Group, please contact Rene Bonetti, Faith Formation Office at 813-671-4434.
Thank you! -
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The Sacrament of Confirmation
GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
8TH GRADERS - High School
(AGES 14-17)In order to begin the preparation process for Confirmation, teens must be entering the 8th grade or older, have completed their first-year 7th-grade preparation, and already received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist/Holy Communion.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the PROCESS
In
June those entering 8th grade will receive a letter about Confirmation preparation and how to register. Parents if you have not received a letter to register your youth, please contact Sue Haines at the Faith Formation Office, at 813-671-4434.- Registration for this process is held from June - September.
- Classes will be held on Monday evenings beginning September 8, 2024 - Time: 6:00 - 7:15 pm at the Family Life Center.
- At the beginning of this process, there is a required parent meeting at which the entire process is explained to parents. Parents' packets are given out at that time with all the necessary information needed. Please know, that this information will be needed in order for your youth to be confirmed. Registration, Information Form, Patron Saint Form, Service Hours Form, Sponsor Form, and Mass Attendance Log. It is never too early to begin thinking about a qualified Sponsor, Patron Saint, and ways for youth to be involved in the parish.
- Along with attending one retreat, teens are expected to complete 3 service projects for community service, choose a sponsor, and pick a Patron Saint name (Catholic Saints.org) for themselves.
- We ask that parents drop off their youth in front of St. Stephen Family Life Center. Should your youth need to sign out early, please let the receptionist know. Receptionists will be located at the sign-in table at the entrance of the Family Life Center.
- We ask parents to pick up their youth from their Family Life Center (gym) area - no car line will be available. Please pick up your youth no later than 7:45 pm.
- Volunteers are always needed - please view and download the volunteer form to get started - View/Download our Volunteer Form - please contact Sue Haines at Sue@stephencatholic.org for information about Safe Environment Diocesan requirements.
- Teachers (Catechists), Assistants, Hall Monitors, and Youth Group Leaders. Youth activities will be held on separate evenings.
High School Seniors - Confirmation classes are held at the Family Life Center on Sunday evening for High School Senior.
High School Senior Confirmation Requirements:- High School Senior attend Confirmation class at the Family Life center on Sunday evenings.
- Students then attend Sunday Mass at 4:30 - 5:30 pm
- Following Mass High School Senior attend Life Teen Youth Group - dinner, reflection & fellowship and closing prayer 7:30 pm
For more information about the Confirmation process, please contact Kim Davis at Kim@ststephencatholic.org. To register 8th Confirmation Program, please stop by our Faith Formation Office located at St. Stephen Catholic School (east wing). You may also register online and scan an email to SUE@STSTEPHENCATHOLIC.ORG or fax it to 813-671-2994.