Most Big Fish will be assigned to a small group that has an adult leader and 7-10 middle school youth.  We plan to have 2 Big Fish for each small group.  The adult group leader will provide the Big Fish with instructions and guidance for small group discussions and activities.  Big Fish are expected to be good role models for the middle school students and to help them engage in the activities and discussion.

Big Fish will be part of skits or other games within the large group setting (when all the small groups come together).  Big Fish will be involved in planning one EDGE night per semester.  Some Big Fish will do special jobs like photography, technology, hospitality, etc.

Every person desiring to be a Big Fish must turn in an application (even if you were a Big Fish last year).  You will be with the  Edge students which are 6^th-8^th graders that meet on Sunday evenings 6:30-8:15pm.   Meetings and events will start the week of September 24t^h and run through the end of April.  There are breaks for holidays   See the religious education calendar for specifics.  Big Fish are asked to come to all the regular weekly meetings. Big Fish are invited and strongly encouraged to attend all the retreats as you will be part of the CORE team leading the retreats.  There may be a few other events throughout the year that  a small number Big Fish will be invited to attend like the Diocesan MS Youth Rally, Vocations Days or some field trips.
 

There will be 3 training sessions held on Sunday nights in September.   We are asking all the Big Fish to attend at least 2.  Once a quarter there will be a meeting of all Big Fish.  At these meetings we will debrief how things have been going and receive additional training as needed. Just prior to retreats there may be additional meetings to work on skits or other retreat preparation activities.
 
 

Yes! We have staggered the time of EDGE and LIFEteen so all Big Fish can head down to the youth room as soon as EDGE is done for the night.  We know that you need time to get your own formation and interaction with peers to help you in your personal relationship with Jesus

Qualities that adult leaders are looking for in their Big Fish

• Good example of a young person doing their best to lead a faithful life

• Able to speak easily in awkward social situations

• Willing to share personal stories/faith

• Treat younger children as equals

• Working on a consistent prayer life

• Mature enough to be distinguishable from most of the youth being mentored

• Curiosity to learn more about their faith

• Willing to keep silent when asked

• Regular attendee to mass, confession

• Awareness of the Holy Spirit's action in their lives, at least to some level and able to express it/discuss it.

• Fun to be around, good sense of humor

• Willing to express real feelings

• Willing to serve with a smile on various tasks, like set-up, clean-up, etc.