CYO Conference - what an experience

[lizaanne]

So you know what the 2000 youth really believe? And you were the only one there that understand this is the true presence?

The evidence I have by their actions suggests they either:

A.) Do not know that Jesus is present in the Eucharist
B.) Do not know that they are to kneel after the Lamb of God and after receiving
or
C.) Are afraid to kneel because their buddies are not kneeling

And yes - I did look upon the future of our Church and consider the Church of tomorrow. And I was concerned - not awed. They are proud to be Catholic, but is that pride the same as being proud to belong to any social organization, or is it pride in possessing the Truth of Christ? From what I experienced (and remember, I was actually THERE), it just felt like a big pep-rally to me. I could lie to you and tell you want you would like to hear, but then that would not be right.

Sorry - maybe I’m just an old fashioned fuddy duddy who doesn’t remember what it’s like to be a kid. Aw - go ahead, it doesn’t really matter if they believe or not, it’s not really THAT important is it? I mean, it’s only the future of the Holy Catholic Church we are talking about, and their immortal souls. It can’t be THAT serious!



~Liza

 

[jrabs]

Sorry - maybe I’m just an old fashioned fuddy duddy who doesn’t remember what it’s like to be a kid. Aw - go ahead, it doesn’t really matter if they believe or not, it’s not really THAT important is it? I mean, it’s only the future of the Holy Catholic Church we are talking about, and their immortal souls. It can’t be THAT serious!

I do not recall anyone posting this.

I just think it’s a bit much for you to say you know they don’t believe in the real presence. And you can tell.

See, we are all in a different place in our walk. For many there, I bet God was thrilled to have them there worshiping on a weekend. Perhaps some kids have fallen away a bit and this brought them back. When teens look around, they do get the feeling that it is OK to be Catholic, to worship God, to say the name of Jesus out loud.
Teens are an odd bunch - they need acceptance and affirmation.
All is not bad.

I am sorry that it was less reverent then you wished. I really am. I am not trying to antagonize you. I know that you are a very devout person.

But God did work some miracles in that arena. God did open someone’s heart. God did speak to someone that needed it.

 

[Island_Oak]

Oh trust me - I have PERFECT perspective.

They can jump up and down, chant their little Jesus chants, and sing songs all they want - just like every other Protestant kid on the block…

Have you perhaps failed to consider **context **here?! I would bet my bottom dollar that there have been papal masses for thousands that may never involved kneeling because venue, crowds, etc. simply may make it difficult/impractical to perform safely. Would you suggest these events were somehow flawed as well?

In addition, a CYO conference is not a venue that purports or pretends to catechize with the rigidity or formalit of, say, an Opus Dei event. This is a conference that is, in part, geared towards social justice, community service, ministry, community outreach, and the audience **is **teenagers.

Moreover, it is impractical to assume that any gathering of 2000 people~of any age~for a mass will retain exactly the same formality, intimacy or every ritualistic routine that one would expect in a daily or weekly parish mass attended by several dozen or several hundred regular parishoners.

Jesus never appeared to believe He was cheapening His ministry by attracting large crowds of the faithful and encouraged the children and those with child-like faith to come to Him. He also reserved His harshest rebukes for the Pharisies who sat on the sidelines with nothing better to do than make snarky comments about His and other believers’ failure to abide rules and regulations.

 

[lizaanne]

I just think it’s a bit much for you to say you know they don’t believe in the real presence. And you can tell.

No - I did not say that I could tell - I only implied that it did not appear that anyone there was aware of the True presence of Christ. Note the word “appear”. I have no idea what’s in someone’s heart, and I don’t claim to.

When teens look around, they do get the feeling that it is OK to be Catholic, to worship God, to say the name of Jesus out loud.
Teens are an odd bunch - they need acceptance and affirmation.
All is not bad.

I agree with this - and honestly I do believe that it was a good thing for them to be there. My main concern is that it did not APPEAR TO ME that they were being taught anything more than just warm fuzzy God is good type stuff. There were no sessions about chastity or modesty, about sin and forgiveness. I’ll have to look again (for the zillionth time) at the agenda, but I don’t recall seeing anything like that on there. And these topics are VERY relevant to teens and their walk!

I am sorry that it was less reverent then you wished. I really am. I am not trying to antagonize you. I know that you are a very devout person.

I know you aren’t - and I do appreciate that. It was just a very emotional weekend for me. When I arrived I was SOOOO excited!! As excited as the kids!! I was totally pumped to be there and see all this fire and excitement - only to find an agenda that left me totally disappointed and cold, then what happened at Mass just put me over the edge.

But God did work some miracles in that arena. God did open someone’s heart. God did speak to someone that needed it.

I pray this is the case. And I pray that they are properly catechized in their Catholic Faith so they don’t go seeking only the pep-rally religions to “feed” them. This deeply concerns me.

~Liza

 

[lizaanne]

He also reserved His harshest rebukes for the Pharisies who sat on the sidelines with nothing better to do than make snarky comments about His and other believers’ failure to abide rules and regulations.

So - what’s your point with this statement…before I decide that I’m highly insulted by it?

~Liza

 

[kage_ar]

I pray this is the case. And I pray that they are properly catechized in their Catholic Faith so they don’t go seeking only the pep-rally religions to “feed” them. This deeply concerns me.

~Liza

At our last state Convention, I looked around at all those teens, so excited and fired up. I did get choked up, and DH asked what was the matter, I told him “It breaks my heart to know that many of these kids will leave the Church because they are not well grounded.” And these were the kids that DID kneel. I see too many teens/young adults leave the Catholic faith becase they are not well taught. It breaks my heart.

 

[jrabs]

I pray this is the case. And I pray that they are properly catechized in their Catholic Faith so they don’t go seeking only the pep-rally religions to “feed” them. This deeply concerns me.

~Liza

Now I absolutely agree with you there. This is also a concern I have as well.

We do not want the church to be warm and fuzzy without substance.
That I understand. Let us hope and pray that those of us with kids and teens are teaching our children the fundamentals.

AMEN!
And once again - I am sorry for your disappointment. I can see your side of the coin now.

 

[jrabs]

At our last state Convention, I looked around at all those teens, so excited and fired up. I did get choked up, and DH asked what was the matter, I told him “It breaks my heart to know that many of these kids will leave the Church because they are not well grounded.” And these were the kids that DID kneel. I see too many teens/young adults leave the Catholic faith because they are not well taught. It breaks my heart.

I feel sad for that too. But here’s to praying that never happens - or they come back to the faith quickly. That the flame that was ignited at the CYO conventions continues to burn in their soul.

We need to pray for our kids.

 

[lizaanne]

We need to pray for our kids.

More importantly, we need to pray for those who are teaching them. The kids are not a fault if all they know is what they are told. Pray also for their youth leaders.

jrabs:

Now I absolutely agree with you there. This is also a concern I have as well.

We do not want the church to be warm and fuzzy without substance.
That I understand. Let us hope and pray that those of us with kids and teens are teaching our children the fundamentals.

AMEN!
And once again - I am sorry for your disappointment. I can see your side of the coin now.

Thank you! I’m so glad I finally made sense!

~Liza

 

[lizaanne]

At our last state Convention, I looked around at all those teens, so excited and fired up. I did get choked up, and DH asked what was the matter, I told him “It breaks my heart to know that many of these kids will leave the Church because they are not well grounded.” And these were the kids that DID kneel. I see too many teens/young adults leave the Catholic faith becase they are not well taught. It breaks my heart.

This is EXACTLY my point. Thank you as well for helping me to be clear on this.

~Liza

 

[shannyk]

Oh trust me - I have PERFECT perspective.

They can jump up and down, chant their little Jesus chants, and sing songs all they want - just like every other Protestant kid on the block.

But if they are not recognizing that the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE has just come down to be PHYSICALLY present with us, then they might as well just go and sign up with the Joel Olstein camp.

This is a VERY serious distinction. Sure - they could be out doing drugs or having sex, great wonderful fine, they were there at Mass. **But if they don’t KNOW and BELIEVE what the sacrafice of the Mass truly is, then what’s the point of being Catholic?
**
~Liza

Thank you…yes yes and yes. Lizaanne I am so with you here.

People act as if these kids deserve a lollipop for going to mass. Talk about lowering the bar.

Personally, my kids, no matter their age, will go to Mass every Sunday, every Holy Day that requires them to, and on any other occasion that they are expected to by ME their mother, their school, or any CYO type group they might be involved in. They will also dress and act appropriately, including kneeling etc. when appropriate, and I will make sure they KNOW when to do so. And I will not pat them on the shoulder for it. I will remind them how BLESSED THEY ARE to even have the opportunity to experience the Mass. Talk about getting PERSPECTIVE!!! Do you know how many Catholics in the world today have to go to Mass in secret or under durress for fear of persecution??? GET REAL with this’ they could be out doing drugs’ blaaaaaaaaah nonsense!!!

The expectations here for these kids is ridiculously insulting. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.

 

[lizaanne]

Thank you…yes yes and yes. Lizaanne I am so with you here.

People act as if these kids deserve a lollipop for going to mass. Talk about lowering the bar.

Personally, my kids, no matter their age, will go to Mass every Sunday, every Holy Day that requires them to, and on any other occasion that they are expected to by ME their mother, their school, or any CYO type group they might be involved in. They will also dress and act appropriately, including kneeling etc. when appropriate, and I will make sure they KNOW when to do so. And I will not pat them on the shoulder for it. I will remind them how BLESSED THEY ARE to even have the opportunity to experience the Mass. Talk about getting PERSPECTIVE!!! Do you know how many Catholics in the world today have to go to Mass in secret or under durress for fear of persecution??? GET REAL with this’ they could be out doing drugs’ blaaaaaaaaah nonsense!!!

The expectations here for these kids is ridiculously insulting. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

~Liza