Defending Life Teen!

[dan]

It seems that the Life Teen program isn’t too popular with many people on these forums. The recent news of the Life Teen founder being excommunicated has seemed to embolden some of LT’s critics here.

Most of the criticism I see of Life Teen on this board have to do with the music. It seems that many here have the mistaken idea that loud music is the cornerstone of Life Teen. Anyone who’s ever had any meaningful involvement with the Life Teen program (and not just heard about or attended a couple LT masses) would know this is not true.

The Life Teen program is extremely faithful to church teaching. The “Life Night” teaching materials are filled to the brim with Scripture and Catechism citations, as well as references to church documents.

Life Teen, like any church program, can be utilized well or utilized poorly at the local parish level. Our parish is currently teaching a Life Teen semester that’s focused on the seven Sacraments. My particular Life Teen team will be teaching a whole night about the Real Presence in the Eucharist.

Anyone who thinks that Life Teen is just “Protestantism” or “entertainment” wrapped up in a Catholic package doesn’t have any significant knowledge of the program. But it seems that ignorance of what Life Teen is really about doesn’t stop many people here from sharing their opinion about it.

Some of us on this board seem to forget that there is room for legitimate diversity within Catholic spirituality. Just because charismatic “Praise & Worship” type music or programs like Life Teen aren’t your thing, it doesn’t mean it’s bad for everyone. I’m often disappointed when reading this forum and seeing how so many people seem to have the attitude that the way they practice their Catholic faith and the their musical or spiritual preferences are the “real” Catholic way.

What’s so wrong with saying, “Well, Life Teen doesn’t seem to be something I’d dig, but if they’re faithful to church teaching and trying to do something good for the church, God Bless them?”

(I assume now that I will be bashed. I assume that folks will check out my profile and my blog and determine whether I’m Catholic enough for their standards. Feel free.)

God Bless,
Dan

 

[Trishie]

I certainly hope you won’t be bashed!

I don’t know much about this program but I understand that not everyone’s needs are the same and that Jesus wants to reach all persons. I wouldn’t presume how He proposes to allow this.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone to prepare you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment, you know Him and have seen Him. To have seen me is to have seen the Father.” [John 14:1-4, 6-7]

 

[lentos99]

I want to thank you for your words Dan! I have been a Lifeteen Adult Core Member for two years!

I echo your words and would underline that everything Lifeteen teaches always points to the Eucharist! Lifeteen brings Catholic tradition to the youth in a way they can identify with.

Lifeteen is a Mission, just as missionaries must present the Gospel message to people of different cultures and languages, so must Lifeteen bring Christ to the youth in their language.

I myself, now 46 years old, was brought to the Church through a Catholic youth program very similar to Lifeteen. I have witnessed teenagers transformed by the Love, Peace, and Hope of a relationship with Christ, which is spilling into the entire congregation as parents are inspired by the transformation of their children.

Lifeteen is only one of many methods of evangelization in the Church being Graced by the Lord…evidenced by it’s fruit. If this was not so, it would fail.

 

[benedictgal]

I am going to ask a fair question, one that has not been answered by the proponents of this movement. What was the rationale behind LifeTeen’s amendments to the Mass and when did they occur?

From what I have read, LifeTeen was founded back in 1985. While, on the surface, the intent seemed good, there are some very legitimate concerns regarding the way that the movement has treated the Mass. I am a member of the Cursillo Movement. I have seen a lot of fruits borne by the group; however, I draw the line when the members start treating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as something that can be changed around. I believe that this is the concern voiced by many in these forums.

There are some who claim that LifeTeen was offered an indult, but, no documentation has been given to prove it. In fact, there is documentation to the contrary that indicates that Rome had asked LifeTeen to cease certain practices during the Mass such as gathering around the altar and the use of a dismissal that is not found in the Roman Missal, as well as the “rock concert” atmosphere at some of the Masses.

In fact, the Neocatechumenal Movement made the same claim regarding the Mass, but, in 2005, they were told that they needed to cease their practices.

Furthermore, regarding the music, there have been serious concerns raised about that, even at the level of Rome. I have repeatedly posted the concerns that the Fathers of the 2000 Synod on the Eucharist had with the issue of the music used at Youth Masses. And, just what kind of music is used at these Masses? It’s the Praise and Worship genre. In his response to the issue raised by the Synod Fathers, Pope Benedict noted that “certainly, as far as the liturgy is concerned…one song is not as good as another.” That pretty much takes the relativism argument away from the proponents of this style of music.

 

[RyanML]

I am going to ask a fair question, one that has not been answered by the proponents of this movement. What was the rationale behind LifeTeen’s amendments to the Mass and when did they occur?

From what I have read, LifeTeen was founded back in 1985. While, on the surface, the intent seemed good, there are some very legitimate concerns regarding the way that the movement has treated the Mass. I am a member of the Cursillo Movement. I have seen a lot of fruits borne by the group; however, I draw the line when the members start treating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as something that can be changed around. I believe that this is the concern voiced by many in these forums.

There are some who claim that LifeTeen was offered an indult, but, no documentation has been given to prove it. In fact, there is documentation to the contrary that indicates that Rome had asked LifeTeen to cease certain practices during the Mass such as gathering around the altar and the use of a dismissal that is not found in the Roman Missal, as well as the “rock concert” atmosphere at some of the Masses.

In fact, the Neocatechumenal Movement made the same claim regarding the Mass, but, in 2005, they were told that they needed to cease their practices.

Furthermore, regarding the music, there have been serious concerns raised about that, even at the level of Rome. I have repeatedly posted the concerns that the Fathers of the 2000 Synod on the Eucharist had with the issue of the music used at Youth Masses. And, just what kind of music is used at these Masses? It’s the Praise and Worship genre. In his response to the issue raised by the Synod Fathers, Pope Benedict noted that “certainly, as far as the liturgy is concerned…one song is not as good as another.” That pretty much takes the relativism argument away from the proponents of this style of music.

Indeed! The Church teaches that latin should be preserved, that gregorian chant should have pride of place, and that silence and solemnity are essential to the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Lifeteen, from my experience, has none of it. Lifeteen is spiritual milk for kids, but doesn’t provide any of the meat. There’s plenty of praise and worship and feel good get togethers, but talk about the spirituality of John of the Cross or Teresa of Avila or praying the rosary everyday, and you get blank stares. The problem with groups like Lifeteen is that it doesn’t challenge kids to be “counter-cultural”. Its like you can have your cake and eat it too. You can have Jesus and still be of the world. At least, this was my experience. I went to school with a lot of the kids with whom I attended Lifeteen Masses, and they didn’t have a clue. I was scandalized more times than i would like to remember. Once I was on retreat with Lifeteen and there was suppose to be adoration, but since no one wanted to spend that time with the Lord, one of the team members just kept the Blessed Sacrament in their rooms on the night stand WHILE THEY SLEPT, monstrance and all !! And i was often regarded as “weird” for my traditionalism. Once I approached a team member with documentation from the Church which showed that some of what Lifeteen was doing in the Mass was not correct. She literally ignored it and said “we have to reach the kids”. It was not long after that I left Lifeteen and started attending the Traditional Latin Mass. My very first impression was “Wow! This is what the Mass is suppose to be like!” Deo Gratias!

 

[Fludgecow101]

I’m 14 but I rather a different mass than lifeteen, especially the latin masses. I like having the more peaceful setting as I can feel God’s presence better and really be able to talk with Him I guess. When I go to Lifeteen with my friends or siblings, some people are dancing and it’s loud, and even I feel like tapping along with the drums( i’m a drummer). I like the music and I listen to that type of music too but i don’t feel as if it should be in the mass. Also the youth directors and others in this area say you guys should come to mass, we got music better you’d like. But the thing is, I and others don’t or shouldn’t go to masses just to listen to music and meet up wtih friends, they should at least say why mass is important, special, etc. And along with other modernized things,I am sure though there are churches that do a better job with LifeTeen but I guess it’s not for me.

 

[tcraig]

I don’t have a problem with LifeNights and orthodox LifeTeen teachings in a group setting, rather like a youth group. I also don’t have a problem with praise-and-worship music with accompanying bands at those non-liturgical settings. I think it can be a good thing for Catholic teenagers to get together with other Catholics teenagers, learn more about their faith, and have fun.

What I do have a problem with is that all LifeTeen masses I have experienced use instruments more appropriate to a rock band (electric guitars, electric keyboards, drums), which leads to a lack of reverence. I’ve never experienced a LifeTeen mass that didn’t have rock-style praise-and-worship music. Granted, this is not a problem exclusive to LifeTeen, but it is a problem, as it directly contradicts the many, many documents that have come out of Rome on music appropriate for the liturgy.

I also don’t understand why a special* teen mass* is needed, as if that’s the only instance that teenagers can get involved. I’ve belonged to many parishes that were always short on volunteers, yet the only time you’d see the teenagers out there helping with the collection, acting as ushers, or volunteering to be a reader was if they were at a LifeTeen mass.

You accuse many of us who disapprove of LifeTeen (and truthfully, most of us who disapprove have issues with LifeTeen masses, not LifeTeen meetings outside of mass) of having no experience with it. I can only say that for many of us, it’s our actual experiences that have led us to form our current opinion.

 

[RyanML]

I don’t have a problem with LifeNights and orthodox LifeTeen teachings in a group setting, rather like a youth group. I also don’t have a problem with praise-and-worship music with accompanying bands at those non-liturgical settings. I think it can be a good thing for Catholic teenagers to get together with other Catholics teenagers, learn more about their faith, and have fun.

What I do have a problem with is that all LifeTeen masses I have experienced use instruments more appropriate to a rock band (electric guitars, electric keyboards, drums), which leads to a lack of reverence. I’ve never experienced a LifeTeen mass that didn’t have rock-style praise-and-worship music. Granted, this is not a problem exclusive to LifeTeen, but it is a problem, as it directly contradicts the many, many documents that have come out of Rome on music appropriate for the liturgy.

I also don’t understand why a special* teen mass* is needed, as if that’s the only instance that teenagers can get involved. I’ve belonged to many parishes that were always short on volunteers, yet the only time you’d see the teenagers out there helping with the collection, acting as ushers, or volunteering to be a reader was if they were at a LifeTeen mass.

You accuse many of us who disapprove of LifeTeen (and truthfully, most of us who disapprove have issues with LifeTeen masses, not LifeTeen meetings outside of mass) of having no experience with it. I can only say that for many of us, it’s our actual experiences that have led us to form our current opinion.

Amen! And my biggest problem with Lifeteen, besides the liturgical issues, is that it doesn’t give teens the knowledge, or the tools to grow spiritually. In my experience with Lifeteen, Youth 2000, and other youth programs/ministries you will see kids clapping their hands and passing the collection plates, and giving communion, but when you look for them to fill hours for adoration, take up devotion to Our Lady and her rosary, or live lives of radical witness for Christ, i haven’t seen it. If praise and worship and fellowship is what kids need, then great! Lifenights and the like are fine! But the Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary made present to us. In the Mass we celebrate the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His presence in Word and Sacrament. I often think with what reverence and awe for the presence of God the priests of the Old Covenant would enter the Temple, and what reason do we have to approach Our Lord with any less reverence and awe. God bless!

 

[Corki]

I don’t have a real problem with Life Teen per se but with how it has been implemented in my area.

For example, at one parish, attendance at the Life Teen Mass is required for the two years a youth is preparing for Confirmation. Just the Mass, not the Life Night program. This takes a whole demographic out of the regular Mass celebrations and decimatest the number of teens available to serve at the altar. It forces adults and young children to attend the LT Mass or not attend as a familly. From what I understand, about half of the teens attend the Life Nights and that’s great but for the rest their main “catechesis” prior to thier Confirmation is the homilies at the LT Masses and what the parents provide at home.

Another parish has LT Masses but no Life Night program.

Some parishes are using LT to substitute for Religious Ed for the teens and one parish uses Edge for the Middle school kids too. So they get no orthodox catechesis after 5th grade.

I think LT would be great if it was a regular Mass, maybe once a month or so, on a day *in addition to *Sunday Mass. Maybe a First Wednesday?

I also worry what happens to these kids when they go into the real world of “regular” Masses. I experiences high emotion, high energy Masses when I was at college. It took me over a decade to regain an appreciation for Mass “as is” and not as an emotional high. I would go to perfectly good Masses and feel empty because I was looking for the emotion and energetic worship.

 

[RichT]

I am going to ask a fair question, one that has not been answered by the proponents of this movement. What was the rationale behind LifeTeen’s amendments to the Mass and when did they occur?

From what I have read, LifeTeen was founded back in 1985. While, on the surface, the intent seemed good, there are some very legitimate concerns regarding the way that the movement has treated the Mass. I am a member of the Cursillo Movement. I have seen a lot of fruits borne by the group; however, I draw the line when the members start treating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as something that can be changed around. I believe that this is the concern voiced by many in these forums.

There are some who claim that LifeTeen was offered an indult, but, no documentation has been given to prove it. In fact, there is documentation to the contrary that indicates that Rome had asked LifeTeen to cease certain practices during the Mass such as gathering around the altar and the use of a dismissal that is not found in the Roman Missal, as well as the “rock concert” atmosphere at some of the Masses.

I attend the parish where Life Teen was started. I can tell you that in 2004, a video was produced and sent to all Life Teen groups asking all of them to stop the practices mentioned above. Whether ot not they complied is of course another questions. I can tell you that they complied at our parish.

I personally don’t have any issues with Life Teen. I think it is a great orginization that does a lot of good, provided it stays within the confines of church teaching and is obediant to church authority.

On a side note, Monsignor Dale Fushek, the founder of Life Teen, was formally excommunicated from the church this week. The story can be seen here diocesephoenix.org/main.html

For me, this does cause me to wonder about the motivations behind some of Fushek’s actions. The excommunication had nothing to do with Life Teen, just thought some here might be interested.

 

[Matariel]

For me, this does cause me to wonder about the motivations behind some of Fushek’s actions. The excommunication had nothing to do with Life Teen, just thought some here might be interested.

Wasn’t their allegations of sexual abuse by Fushek also? I believe so. The whole “Life Teen” thing is dubious. To tell you the truth, most young people I know actually prefer the Latin Mass…

At any rate, I would also like to point out that these kind of things raise the eyebrows of our Orthodox friends, since they appear to trivialize and commercialize the faith.

It’s kind of embarassing, if you ask me.

 

[RyanML]

Wasn’t their allegations of sexual abuse by Fushek also? I believe so. The whole “Life Teen” thing is dubious. To tell you the truth, most young people I know actually prefer the Latin Mass…

At any rate, I would also like to point out that these kind of things raise the eyebrows of our Orthodox friends, since they appear to trivialize and commercialize the faith.

It’s kind of embarassing, if you ask me.

I think our Orthodox brethren have better sense than to turn the Divine Liturgy into a circus

 

[Matariel]

I think our Orthodox brethren have better sense than to turn the Divine Liturgy into a circus

Well, they didn’t have to brave the West’s Cultural Revolution, which may people used to misinterpret Vatican II’s intentions… I also think that treatment of the holy Mass such as in these kinds of things kills young people’s view of God as a transcendent being.

 

[RichT]

Wasn’t their allegations of sexual abuse by Fushek also? I believe so. The whole “Life Teen” thing is dubious. To tell you the truth, most young people I know actually prefer the Latin Mass…

At any rate, I would also like to point out that these kind of things raise the eyebrows of our Orthodox friends, since they appear to trivialize and commercialize the faith.

It’s kind of embarassing, if you ask me.

Disclaimer- I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on television.

The problems started when a man who had been abused by a priest made claims that Fushek was aware of the abuse and did nothing to stop it. There was in fact a case where a priest was convicted of sexual abuse and spent 10 years in prison for his crimes. He had been staying at Fushek’s parish as a guest. He had no formal ties to the parish either. The man who said these memories suddenly came back to him, said that he remembered seeing Fushek in the hallway watching him enter the priest’s bedroom.

In all honesty, some of the accusations and charges seem a bit hokey, but as a person who trusts the justice system, the truth will all come out in the end. As of this time, there has not yet been a trial.

 

[Sarabande]

My experiences with Life Teen masses back in high school in the two parishes that held it were not great. This was during the 90s where they still had the teens gather around the altar, rock music (well, I guess they still have that) and other things that I felt were insulting to me and my friends at the time, even though we participated in this during my sophomore and junior years of highschool.

I haven’t been to a Life Teen mass since then, so I can’t say what they are like now.

My question is this. Are there Life Teen masses which do promote Latin and chant? If not, why can’t they incorporate it into their model? It just seems as if they only promote P&W, as if all teens go for that stuff. Why can’t they have a mix, or better yet, have a more solemn and reverent mass, then use the P&W either before mass begins and/or after mass?

I just wonder with the way things are changing, if there should be a new way of looking at LT and perhaps do an overhaul in the way they run their liturgies? Perhaps LT works better in certain areas of the country, but in my area, knowing my cousins who are of that age, knowing my own contemporaries who experienced it in the past and also knowing past students of mine when I was teaching, it’s just not something that is getting through to the teens here. I feel that our area is becoming more “orthodox”, so a different look at LT might work better here.

 

[brigid12]

For a while, due to my work schedule, the only Sunday Mass I could go to was a Life Teen Mass. I don’t have a problem with Life Teen meetings, at all! I have previously been a part of the Charismatic Renewal and I enjoy P&W music! Except at Mass. Reverence is very important in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and P&W music (much as I enjoy it when it is done well, as at the parish I where I attended Life Teen Masses) is not reverent usually, although happy and thrilling! Very! It is just not appropriate to a s(S)acrifice. I really enjoy Enya. etc. too, but certainly not at Mass!
Besides the music at Life Teen Masses - what really bothers me is that teens are not being as truly evangelized, to the totally counter-cultural Faith that Christ asked. Although the EF Mass has strong adherence of all ages, in the forums/blogs I’ve read one of the most active age groups in the EF were teens and young people. The transcendent and counter-cultural are what most teens are looking for, so why are the adults depriving them of that? Is it because it’s not as comfortable as we like it? All sorts of variations to the liturgy become available and the adults jump at it. Is it not because many adults were not truly evangelized?

 

[brigid12]

My experiences with Life Teen masses back in high school in the two parishes that held it were not great. This was during the 90s where they still had the teens gather around the altar, rock music (well, I guess they still have that) and other things that I felt were insulting to me and my friends at the time, even though we participated in this during my sophomore and junior years of highschool.

I haven’t been to a Life Teen mass since then, so I can’t say what they are like now.

**My question is this. Are there Life Teen masses which do promote Latin and chant? If not, why can’t they incorporate it into their model? It just seems as if they only promote P&W, as if all teens go for that stuff. Why can’t they have a mix, or better yet, have a more solemn and reverent mass, then use the P&W either before mass begins and/or after mass? **

 

[palmas85]

It seems that the Life Teen program isn’t too popular with many people on these forums. The recent news of the Life Teen founder being excommunicated has seemed to embolden some of LT’s critics here.

Most of the criticism I see of Life Teen on this board have to do with the music. It seems that many here have the mistaken idea that loud music is the cornerstone of Life Teen. Anyone who’s ever had any meaningful involvement with the Life Teen program (and not just heard about or attended a couple LT masses) would know this is not true.

The Life Teen program is extremely faithful to church teaching. The “Life Night” teaching materials are filled to the brim with Scripture and Catechism citations, as well as references to church documents.

Life Teen, like any church program, can be utilized well or utilized poorly at the local parish level. Our parish is currently teaching a Life Teen semester that’s focused on the seven Sacraments. My particular Life Teen team will be teaching a whole night about the Real Presence in the Eucharist.

Anyone who thinks that Life Teen is just “Protestantism” or “entertainment” wrapped up in a Catholic package doesn’t have any significant knowledge of the program. But it seems that ignorance of what Life Teen is really about doesn’t stop many people here from sharing their opinion about it.

Some of us on this board seem to forget that there is room for legitimate diversity within Catholic spirituality. Just because charismatic “Praise & Worship” type music or programs like Life Teen aren’t your thing, it doesn’t mean it’s bad for everyone. I’m often disappointed when reading this forum and seeing how so many people seem to have the attitude that the way they practice their Catholic faith and the their musical or spiritual preferences are the “real” Catholic way.

What’s so wrong with saying, “Well, Life Teen doesn’t seem to be something I’d dig, but if they’re faithful to church teaching and trying to do something good for the church, God Bless them?”

I](I assume now that I will be bashed. I assume that folks will check out my profile and my blog and determine whether I’m Catholic enough for their standards. Feel free.)

God Bless,
Dan

Seems as though you are pretty much as narrow minded as you say the rest of us are.

Somehow I am not surprised.

As to Lifeteen to each his own I guess. My major problem with Lifeteen is twofold.

One: in a great many parishes, ALL of the youngsters are required to be in the program or required to participate in their activities for a set number of hours or they cannot be confirmed. Yes, I know that officially Lifeteen does not promote this yet it happens and it happens extensively. And Lifeteen does precious little to stop it.

Second, many if not most of the supporters of Lifeteen, seem to be blind to its’ excesses and abuses and appear in many cases to have a devotion to Lifeteen itself that exceeds their devotion to the Church… That cannot be a good or fruitful thing.

As far as the excommunicated founders of the program I can only say this. They set up their new community based on the exact same things and model that they based Lifeteen on. It was a natural development of their ideas… I think that says volumes about the real reasons for the founding of the movement regardless of what anyone else might say. If the very founders of the movement are not true to the faith then how can the program they devised be so? There seems to be a basic inconsistency there.

 

[Aramis]

God Bless,
Dan

I’ve found, Dan, that many Catholics feel much the same about the Eastern Churches in Union with Rome.

It’s a sad side effect of the Hospital for Sinners effect. Many forget the church is to be a hospital for sinners, not a haven for saints, and in forgetting this, forget that they, too, would be excluded from the haven for saints.

 

[dan]

As far as the excommunicated founders of the program I can only say this. They set up their new community based on the exact same things and model that they based Lifeteen on. It was a natural development of their ideas… I think that says volumes about the real reasons for the founding of the movement regardless of what anyone else might say. If the very founders of the movement are not true to the faith then how can the program they devised be so? There seems to be a basic inconsistency there.

Well, I got an even worse story for you. There’s one particular very popular religous movement I’m aware of where the one of the twelve original members of the group ended up actually selling out the founder of the group for 30 silver coins. He ended up feeling so guilty that he committed suicide. The founder, as well, found himself convicted of a capital crime and was sentenced to death. What a scandal!

Perhaps we should all steer clear of that particular religous movement. Nothing good could come from it.