Is your parish still disobeying the GIRM by letting the teens stand around the altar?

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GloriaPatri4

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I know of two parishes in our diocese, and there may be more that are still allowing their teens to stand around the altar at the Life Teen Mass.

In June or July of 2004 every parish participating in the Life Teen program should have received a letter and video tape from the Life Teen headquarters notifying them to cease standing around the altar by October 2004.

Please read letter from the founder of Life Teen

From LifeTeen letter from Dale Fushek

July, 2004

On June 4, 2004, the Bishop of Phoenix, Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, met in Rome with Francis Cardinal Arinze regarding LIFE TEEN. His Eminence Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship, stated his support for LIFE TEEN and said he was “heartened to see that dedicated persons have taken initiative to promote the liturgy especially since, in various parts of the world, a disaffection for the Mass is found among young people”. The Cardinal was very supportive of LIFE TEEN and encouraged our mission to continue. However, he also believed that LIFE TEEN needs to fully implement the new General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM).

In addition to his meeting with Cardinal Arinze, Bishop Olmsted met with Monsignor James Moroney, executive director of the United States Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy (BCL) regarding LIFE TEEN. Msgr. Moroney has been in dialogue with LIFE TEEN regarding implementation of the new GIRM.

As the founder of this youth movement, I am writing to confirm our adherence to the new GIRM, and as always, our obedience to our own local Bishops. In this spirit of obedience, we are asking all parishes using the LIFE TEEN model to make the following changes:

In accordance with the new GIRM, teens are no longer to enter the sanctuary for the Eucharistic prayer. Being in the sanctuary is reserved for the priest celebrant, concelebrants, and those performing a specific ministry.
The GIRM very specifically offers three options for the end of the Mass. We are to cease using the phrase “The Mass Never Ends, It Must Be Lived” and begin using one of the three prescribed endings found in the Missal.
**After music practice or welcoming, please make sure there is a period of silence to begin the liturgical celebration. **
****As we have always taught, **please make sure the music does not in any way detract from the action at the altar, ambo, or chair. **

continued on next post

christianguitar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82918
 
From Life Teen letter

Please make sure that full implementation of the GIRM is done in accordance with your Diocese and accomplished with a spirit of joy.
Although these changes may be difficult for some parishes and teens to accept, let me assure you that our cooperation with Rome and the BCL will only enhance our liturgical celebrations and our mission in the Church. It will be essential that we catechize our teens and their families on what we are doing, and why we are doing it.

All parishes involved with LIFE TEEN will receive a short video by the beginning of August to be used to introduce these changes. We will assist you in any way possible to make a smooth and grace-filled transition. We are asking for catechesis and full implementation of these changes by October 1, 2004. As you know, October has been chosen by the Holy Father to begin the year of the Eucharist. This is an exciting time for us to focus on the real presence and to call our teens to a deeper faith in the Church and in the sacraments.

The heart of LIFE TEEN is the Eucharist. Full, conscious, and active participation of our youth remains to be our goal. Dynamic preaching, spirit filled music, and the conversion of young people remain our hallmark. The commitment of LIFE TEEN to evangelize our youth and to call them to Christ is stronger than ever. We will work for vocations. Our Holy Father John Paul II remains our role model. Our Blessed Mother remains our patron.

Thank you for the love you have for our youth and LIFE TEEN. We are growing and this can be seen in our new national headquarters, in our camps in Atlanta and Arizona, as well as in our local parish programs. We are also working hard on the official status of LIFE TEEN as a private association of the Christian Faithful, in favor with the Apostolic See of the Catholic Church; bright days are ahead for us all.

We thank Cardinal Arinze, Bishop Olmsted, and Msgr. Moroney. They have clearly laid out a path for us, and we will follow it with enthusiasm and faith.

In Christ,

Msgr. Dale J. Fushek and the staff of LIFE TEEN
Click to expand...
 
**

From Jimmy Akin

July 18, 2004

FLASH! LifeTeen Revised

(Jimmy Akin)

Amy Welborn is reporting that the LifeTeen program is about to be changed to bring “LifeTeen Masses” into conformity with the Church’s liturgical law. She writes:

A letter has been sent by Msgr. Dale Fushek, founder (I think) and director of Life Teen, regarding a June meeting that Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix had with Cardinal Arinze [head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments] specifically about the program. As a result of these and other discussions, the letter states:

As the founder of this youth movement, I am writing to confirm our adherence to the new GIRM, and as always, our obedience to our own local Bishops. In this spirit of obedience, we are asking all parishes that implement the LIFE TEEN model to make the following changes: 1. In accordance with the new GIRM, teens are no longer to enter the sanctuary for the Eucharistic prayer. Being in the sanctuary is to be reserved for the priest celebrant, concelebrants, and those performing a specific ministry.
  1. The GIRM very specifically offers three options for the end of the Mass. We are to cease using the phrase “The Mass Never Ends, It Must Be Lived” and begin using one of the three prescribed endings found in the Missal.
  2. After music practice or welcoming, please make sure there is a period of silence to begin the liturgical celebration.
  3. As we have always taught, please make sure the music does not in any way detract from the action at the altar, ambo, or chair.
  4. Please make sure that full implementation of the GIRM is done in accordance with your Diocese and accomplished with a spirit of joy.
I am sure these issues will be hard on some parishes and teens. But, let me assure you, our cooperation with Rome and the BCL will only enhance our liturgical celebrations and our mission in the Church. It will be essential that we catechize our teens and their families on what we are doing, and why we are doing it.

​

One of the commentators on Amy’s post writes:

As a member of the LifeTeen ministry team at our parish, I can definitely say that this will be a difficult transition–especially for our teens.I entirely sympathize. Though creative ways to may be found to present the changes to teens so as to minimize their emotional impact (e.g., this represents a challenge to be “radically faithful” to the Church and a call to even greater holiness), undoubtely many teens will be disappointed.

This illustrates the problem that is generated when individuals diverge from Church law (or teaching). Doing so encourages people to think and act in objectively problematic ways and to form emotional attachments to things that are at variance with the Church’s praxis (or doctrine). Consequently, people are set up for a rude awakening when they find out that what they have been taught or habituated to is not, in fact, what the Church requires.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to such disappointements due to the intellectual and emotional conditions to which they are subject. Some may feel such sharp disappointment that it may injure their inner adherence to the Church, which could lead to lapses in the practice of the faith or outright rebellion and alienation from it.

It is much better for all if programs are built on a solid foundation from the beginning, for a house built without a solid foundation will encounter problems.

It is praiseworthy that LifeTeen has had the courage to make this change. Let us be supportive of it and the teens to which it ministers. Let us do what we can to help smooth the transition and hope that LifeTeen goes on to provide an invaluable spiritual service to countless future teens at a crucial and difficult time of life.

%between%Posted by Jimmy Akin

jimmyakin.org/2004/07/flash_lifeteen_.html

**
 
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GloriaPatri4:
I know of two parishes in our diocese, and there may be more that are still allowing their teens to stand around the altar at the Life Teen Mass.
Click to expand...
In my parish the children are all invited to stand around the altar and on Mother’s day all the mothers are invited to stand around the altar and the same goes for father’s day. It really adds to the mass. In fact, I am hoping they start a lottery, or so we each get a chance to stand around the altar. I do not want anyone left out.

Kumbaya.
 
This has not taken place since I have been a member at this Parish - or at any Parish where I have been a member. One time we visited a Parish in Ft. Smith and witnessed such a thing - but, that has been it.
 
Believe it or not, the horrible Teen Life Mass in town is not so horrible. No more music during the Consecration, no more standing around the altar (they now kneel at the foot), etc. There are still a few things they need to change but I just had dinner with the bishop the other night and he told me that there have been many talks on the TL Mass (almost put TLM but didn’t want to freak anyone out) and it the talks go on. Whatever he’s said, they seem to be listening. Unfortunately, in our diocese, they will keep doing the abusive until they are specifically told not to.
 
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fix:
In my parish the children are all invited to stand around the altar and on Mother’s day all the mothers are invited to stand around the altar and the same goes for father’s day. It really adds to the mass. In fact, I am hoping they start a lottery, or so we each get a chance to stand around the altar. I do not want anyone left out.

Kumbaya.
Click to expand...
**Having people come stand around the altar with their beloved pets (cats, dogs, birds, etc) would be oh so special too. **

How about different groups each Sunday, one sunday it could be the Rainbow Sash Movement (wearing their sash) members standing around the altar, the next Sunday all the pro-choice Catholics. Just think of the possiblities.
 
We dont have teen masses. Is there a need for them?..Just asking.
 
GloriaPatri4 said:
**Having people come stand around the altar with their beloved pets (cats, dogs, birds, etc) would be oh so special too. **

How about different groups each Sunday, one sunday it could be the Rainbow Sash Movement (wearing their sash) members standing around the altar, the next Sunday all the pro-choice Catholics. Just think of the possiblities.
Click to expand...

I wonder if fix realized they meant during the Consecration… Not just say at the homily or such…
Only time I’ve ever seen any children or teens in the Sanctuary even is either for servers, Children Christmas Mass the children are called up during the reading of the Birth of Christ… They gather round the Priest and listen… Quiet intently for little tikes… More so then some adults… Then during Graduation time, Graduating seniors are allowed to go up for special recognition during the homily or just after I believe… I’ll find out this year I suppose 👍
Other than that, most lay people will stay a step out of the sanctuary when going up for anything.

Mike, some teens like them… It’s supposed to be a way to reach out to the younger generations… With hipper music and such… As a teen myself, I’ve never attended one and doubt I will… I’d rather travel two-three hours to attend a Mass by a FSSP Priest.
 
GloriaPatri4 said:
**Having people come stand around the altar with their beloved pets (cats, dogs, birds, etc) would be oh so special too. **

How about different groups each Sunday, one sunday it could be the Rainbow Sash Movement (wearing their sash) members standing around the altar, the next Sunday all the pro-choice Catholics. Just think of the possiblities.
Click to expand...

That is so funny I almost fell off my chair! Sarcasm definately has it’s place!
Blessings,
Joanie
 
I was on a business trip to the Dallas area a few weeks ago and stopped in for morning Mass at a church near my hotel.

The priest invited everyone up to surround the altar for the Eucharistic prayer.

I literally got taken by the arm and pulled towards the altar :mad:

After she let go, I returned to my seat. I was the only one who remained in their seat.
 
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CatholicCid:
I wonder if fix realized they meant during the Consecration… Not just say at the homily or such…
Only time I’ve ever seen any children or teens in the Sanctuary even is either for servers, Children Christmas Mass the children are called up during the reading of the Birth of Christ… They gather round the Priest and listen… Quiet intently for little tikes… More so then some adults… Then during Graduation time, Graduating seniors are allowed to go up for special recognition during the homily or just after I believe… I’ll find out this year I suppose 👍
Other than that, most lay people will stay a step out of the sanctuary when going up for anything.

Mike, some teens like them… It’s supposed to be a way to reach out to the younger generations… With hipper music and such… As a teen myself, I’ve never attended one and doubt I will… I’d rather travel two-three hours to attend a Mass by a FSSP Priest.
Click to expand...
I was speaking specfically about the consecration.
 
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fix:
In my parish the children are all invited to stand around the altar and on Mother’s day all the mothers are invited to stand around the altar and the same goes for father’s day. It really adds to the mass. In fact, I am hoping they start a lottery, or so we each get a chance to stand around the altar. I do not want anyone left out.

Kumbaya.
Click to expand...
Maybe they can juggle as well?
After all, it’s not specifically stated in the GIRM that we can’t.

(reference WYD)

/sarcasm off/ for those who do not recognize this as being sarcasm.
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
Maybe they can juggle as well?
After all, it’s not specifically stated in the GIRM that we can’t.

(reference WYD)

/sarcasm off/ for those who do not recognize this as being sarcasm.
Click to expand...
Is it true that the priest in charge of these ceremonies was the same one JPII used and this was his last show?
 
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fix:
Is it true that the priest in charge of these ceremonies was the same one JPII used and this was his last show?
Click to expand...
I am on another website where one of our members went to WYD.
According to the “Boots on the Ground” who are in the know, most plans for this event were set before the Death of JPII. They were organized by Cardinal Piero Marini, Titular Bishop of Martirano, Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

From people there, the reaction of B16 to much of this was quiet disgust.

Only God knows but it looks like +Marini will have a nice cube in the basement of the Vatican after that show.
 
This is a bad question for a poll. Its like asking “have you stopped beating your wife?” Our parish never has let anyone but Priest and Deacon near the alter. EM’s (stand) and alterboys (kneel then stand behind the alter) all about 20 feet away
 
hilde the dog:
This is a bad question for a poll. Its like asking “have you stopped beating your wife?” Our parish never has let anyone but Priest and Deacon near the alter. EM’s (stand) and alterboys (kneel then stand behind the alter) all about 20 feet away
Click to expand...
I think that’s why there is an “other - please explain” choice.
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
I am on another website where one of our members went to WYD.
According to the “Boots on the Ground” who are in the know, most plans for this event were set before the Death of JPII. They were organized by Cardinal Piero Marini, Titular Bishop of Martirano, Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

From people there, the reaction of B16 to much of this was quiet disgust.

Only God knows but it looks like +Marini will have a nice cube in the basement of the Vatican after that show.
Click to expand...
I feel really out of the loop, did I miss something. I was not able to watch any of WYD ceremonies on EWTN. Did something outrageous happen? Is there a thread on this?
 
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GloriaPatri4:
I feel really out of the loop, did I miss something. I was not able to watch any of WYD ceremonies on EWTN. Did something outrageous happen? Is there a thread on this?
Click to expand...
I’m so sorry, the “Boots on the Ground” only meant, those who were there.
(my hubby is a former marine, we live it)

You did miss the juggling though…
 
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