Something new every month.
Middle School Monthly brings 6th–8th graders from across the New Albany Deanery together for a different experience each month — from improv and escape rooms to glow pickleball, dodgeball, and more.
Come once or come all year! Each event stands on its own, so pick the nights that sound fun, grab some friends, and join us.
$10 per event
($20 for retreat)
Advance registration required by the Sunday before each event.
2026-2027 Schedule:
-
Sacred Heart • Jeffersonville
6:00–8:00 PM
Ready to think fast, get a little silly, and make people laugh? Learn the basics of improv through games and challenges, try it out yourself, and enjoy a live comedy show! Along the way, we’ll discover how courage can help us step outside our comfort zones and glorify God — even in the things we do just for fun.
Be not afraid — no one will be required to perform on stage!
-
Location TBA
5:30–8:00 PM
Fall nights were made for this! Join us for for hayrides, bonfires, s’mores, and plenty of fall fun with middle schoolers from around the deanery. We’ll slow down just enough to practice gratitude — noticing the good things God gives us in creation, friendship, and everyday life.
Optional: Mass at 4:30pm at St. Mary of the Knobs
-
St. Anthony • Clarksville
6:00–8:00 PM
Think you can escape? Work with your team to hunt for clues, crack codes, solve puzzles, and beat the clock! When the answers don’t come easily, we’ll put perseverance into practice — trying again, looking at problems in a new way, and refusing to give up.
-
Knights of Columbus • New Albany | 6:00–8:00 PM
Turn out the lights and hit the court! We’re playing pickleball under the glow lights, with music, food, and plenty of chances to play whether you’re a pickleball pro or have never picked up a paddle. Come ready to compete, laugh, and experience the joy that comes from simply having fun together.
-
St. John • Starlight
5:00–8:00 PM
Mass, pizza, and dodgeball — all in one night! We’ll begin by celebrating Mass together, with middle schoolers helping serve in the liturgy, then grab some pizza before hitting the court for classic dodgeball. Through it all, we’ll explore integrity: choosing what’s right and being the same person whether we’re at Mass, with our friends, or competing for the win.
-
Our Lady of Perpetual Help • New Albany
6:00–8:00 PM
Guys and gals will split up for their own activities before coming back together for the ultimate friendly showdown! Through fun, competition, and the example of holy men and women, we’ll explore charity — learning to recognize each other’s God-given gifts, build one another up, and appreciate how guys and gals are made to complement one another.
-
Bring your game face! After dinner, compete in a tournament of fast-paced, hands-on challenges that test your speed, skill, strategy, and ability to follow directions. Inspired by St. Joseph, we’ll explore obedience — learning to listen well, trust God, and respond when He asks something of us.
-
St. John Paul II • Sellersburg
Overnight – Time TBA
What does it mean to really know God — and be known by Him? Wrap up the MSM year with an overnight retreat filled with games, friends, engaging talks, small groups, and meaningful prayer. Together with NET missionaries and local leaders, we’ll discover how prayer builds a real relationship with God and learn to trust the One who knows us completely.
Building Character.
Growing in Faith.
Fun is a big part of Middle School Monthly — but there's a little more happening underneath it.
Throughout the year, we'll explore practical virtues like joy, perseverance, integrity, charity, gratitude, and trust. Each month's virtue connects naturally to what we're doing, giving youth one simple takeaway they can put into practice in everyday life.
No homework. No need to attend every month. Just opportunities to have fun, build friendships, and grow into the people God created them to be.
One Deanery. Lots of Parishes. One Middle School Community.
Middle School Monthly is a collaborative ministry of Catalyst Catholic and the parishes of the New Albany Deanery. Each month, a different parish or ministry team hosts and plans the event, giving middle schoolers the chance to experience the larger Church beyond their own parish.
Your child doesn't need to belong to the host parish — every event is open to every 6th–8th grader in the deanery.
Many youth come with friends or their parish youth ministry group, but they're welcome to attend on their own, too.
📝 Registration Procedures
To help our parishes and planning teams prepare well, advance registration is required for all Middle School Monthly events. You can register for the full year at once or choose events month-by-month. Here’s what to know:
Registration closes at 11:59 PM the Sunday before each event. This allows host parishes time to finalize volunteers, order supplies, and plan activities.
A waitlist will open once registration closes. If your child needs to cancel, contact the Catalyst office during regular business hours. We may be able to offer their spot to someone on the waitlist.
Online payment is required at the time of registration. If you need an alternative payment method, just let us know.
Refunds are available up until the registration deadline (minus a 3% transaction fee).
Events are open to all youth in grades 6–8 who attend a Catholic parish or school in the New Albany Deanery. Students are welcome to bring a guest, but guests must be registered separately with their own permission form.
👨👩👧 Parent FAQ
Does my child need to attend every month?
No! Every event stands on its own. Come to one, a few, or all of them.
Who can attend?
Any student in grades 6–8 from the New Albany Deanery, which includes Catholcil parishes and schools in Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties. Youth may also bring a guest (see below).
Can my child bring a friend?
Yes! Friends are welcome, even if they are not Catholic or not part of the Deanery. Each guest must be registered separately and have a completed permission form submitted online.
Do I need to attend with my child?
Nope! These are drop-off events staffed by trained adult volunteers and parish youth ministry leaders. Parents are welcome to help as chaperones—just reach out if you're interested in volunteering!
How much does it cost?
Regular monthly events are $10. The overnight retreat is $20.
This fee helps cover food, supplies, activity materials, and host parish expenses. If cost is ever an issue, financial assistance is available—please don’t hesitate to ask.
What if my child can no longer attend after registering?
Contact the Catalyst office before the registration deadline to cancel for a refund (minus the 3% transaction fee). If the event is full, we’ll offer the spot to someone on the waitlist.
Questions? Reach out anytime!
michelle@catalystcatholic.org | 812-923-8355