Tradition as I said before is one of the things that seperates the CC from protestants.
(Boldface mine)
As you know, I am a convert from evangelical Protestantism.
I think you would find many Protestants who would disagree with you.
Although Protestant “traditions” (lower-case t) are not as ancient as Catholic “traditions” (lower-case t), they are still there.
Many of the mainline Protestant churches are over 500 years old and have plenty of “traditions.”
But even the newer Protestant churches have “traditions.” E.g., “tent meetings,” “revivials,” “singspirarations”, “children’s Christmas pageants,” “Founder’s Day,” “Rally Day,” “sword drills,” “testimony time,” “cottage prayer meetings,” “altar calls,” etc. etc.
I grew up in the Baptist General Conference, and I was fond of many of their traditions.
I think that there are some Protestant denoms who are seeking to rid themselves of all assocations with the past, including their treasured “traditions.” Many churches have re-named their church to sound less “traditional.” For example, the large Assemblies of God church in our city has renamed itself simply “The Community.”
I think this is a shame, and it is one of the reasons that Protestants leave their church and gravitate toward Catholicism. In my case, I attended a huge Catholic parish that is very contemporary. To me, their most modern Mass seemed extremely “traditional” compared to what I was used to in the Protestant church. I think that a very traditional Mass would have scared me away; it would have seemed like some kind of weird ritual. Now that I understand Catholicism and have embraced it as my faith, these TLMs are fine. But as a Protestant, it would have been too much.
I disagree entirely with the idea that Catholics should refuse to modernize in order to attract non-Catholics. I think that the “modern” Masses are a very valuable “bridge” that allows non-Catholics to cross over into the Church. Without this bridge, I think that most Protestants would never make it across the river. Those of you who have grown up traditional Catholic have no concept of the fear that Protestants have of “ritual.”
If you invite someone to your house, you will be hospitable and do those things that will make your guest more comfortable. E.g., if you have cats, and you know your guest is allergic, you will secure the cats in another room until your guest leaves. If your guest is a vegetarian, you will serve something that he/she can eat.
I think that the Church should be the same way–hospitable to guests. If your “guests” are afraid of ritual and think it is devilish, then you will do your best to minimize the “ritual” feel of the Mass and help your guests feel more comfortable by speaking a language that the guest can understand, playing music that he/she is somewhat familiar with, etc. All of this is perfectly allowable by the GIRM. To play a contemporary hymn instead of Palestrina is OK according to the rubrics.
I realize that there will be exceptions; Protestants who embrace wholeheartedly the “traditions” and rituals of the Catholic Church. But I honestly think these people are the minority. I grew up Protestants, and I honestly believe that many of them would consider much Catholic ritual “pagan.”
Let’s get them through the door and into the Mass first so that they can actually meet Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and realize that “It is the Lord!” Let’s get them through RCIA so that they understand the origin of all the “traditions.” Let’s get them confirmed and receiving all the sacraments, especially the precious Eucharist.
If bongos, contemporary songs, and hand-waving will get them through the door, AND if these things are allowed by the CHURCH, (which they are), then bring on the bongos, contemporary songs, and hand-waving!
As for doing these things outside of the Mass, what is the point? Even a non-Catholic receives some graces at the Holy Mass. Why do you want to deprive them of these graces that will help them to attain salvation and hopefully eventually become a Catholic Christian?
It was at Mass that I first recognized Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I KNEW it was HIM! Unless a special dispensation is given so that a “youth meeting with rock music” can include the Blessed Sacrament, the Jesus will not be present at the Youth Meeting in the Blessed Sacrament. It is JESUS that Protestants need to receive, it is the Holy Eucharist that they are longing for to be
complete Christians. LET THEM SEE JESUS IN THE MASS, and if playing rock music will get them there and KEEP them there, then PLAY IT!
Perhaps it is not that important, but I also thought the idea of everyone, including the priest, facing the altar as one, was beautiful. My husband and I have been renting a great History Channel series called “History of Britain” (we’re admitted “anglophiles”. When we got to the Reformation and the historian was explaining how the Catholic Church as they knew it in Britain was practically obliterated, andwhat they did to the Catholic churches and the altars, etc. my husband and I looked at each other and said simultaneously, “That’s what they did to the altars 40 years ago! We’ve become more Protestant!” hahah! - Well, don’t know if I should be laughing about that. 
) we had weekly Sunday night meetingsthat strenthened our faith. A priest and nun were always there to answer questions and give advice. The youth ministry was full of good moral examples for all of us.
