Questions on Life Teen

[Maddalena]

Daddy says that at our church, Life Teen is run by a bunch of hippies that won’t grow up. (the people that do the music during Life Teen are all in their 50’s and 60’s, so I guess he’s right.) I don’t really like it because I don’t like it people try to make the Catholic church “hip”. The music is annoying when they have a LifeTeen Mass because they have guitars and drums (the drummer plays the same beat OVER AND OVER). x_x Have y’all seen the LifeTeen website? It’s kind of goofy. I wish there was a website for teens that liked tradtional Catholicism. Maybe there is one, but I just haven’t found one yet. e_e

 

[WhiteDove]

Hula skirts? That’s taking a bit too much creative license, I think.

As far as preferences for more expressive forms of worship and more solemn, I say, different strokes for different folks. Just because you don’t like something personally doesn’t mean that you have to knock it.

I, myself, like variety. If I really want to focus on Christ, I go to daily Mass. In my opinion all Weekend Masses have lots of distractions, with people coming in, sitting down, trying to calm their kids. How can someone expect to get deep into personal prayer at such a time?

Where I normally go to church people are more old fashioned and quieter, but still, it’s really kind of hard to engage in serious prayer before Mass. If you want that, go to daily Mass or pray at home! That’s what I do.

 

[beng]

WhiteDove:

Hula skirts? That’s taking a bit too much creative license, I think.

As far as preferences for more expressive forms of worship and more solemn, I say, different strokes for different folks. Just because you don’t like something personally doesn’t mean that you have to knock it.

I, myself, like variety. If I really want to focus on Christ, I go to daily Mass. In my opinion all Weekend Masses have lots of distractions, with people coming in, sitting down, trying to calm their kids. How can someone expect to get deep into personal prayer at such a time?

Where I normally go to church people are more old fashioned and quieter, but still, it’s really kind of hard to engage in serious prayer before Mass. If you want that, go to daily Mass or pray at home! That’s what I do.

People should conformed to God. Not the other way around.

And are you suggesting that silent and reverence that’s been proven to produce Saints through out the age are old fashioned? And people who keep doing that should stay at home or go to Daily Mass? Wow, is this the fruit of Life Teen?

 

[WhiteDove]

Nope, I don’t think that’s what I meant, beng. You must have misread my meaning.

 

[wet-rat]

CatholicGeek:

I don’t think that this is a part of the Life Teen program. I went to the training they have a couple years ago, and this was not part of it. Probably just a local thing.

When I was out west in CA and NV, they seemed to do the “I do” creed thing a lot. It reminded my of a renewal of Baptismal promises.

I know that sometimes a renewal of Baptismal promises can be substituted for the creed. When is that licit?

 

[WhiteDove]

It’s probably ok, but I don’t like it. Why not say the whole creed? You can have an uplifting, high energy, youth oriented Mass, and still recite the creed, and get rid of the up at the altar thing, and it would be just another Mass with a different, more youth oriented music.

 

[matthias]

I have been a practicing Catholic for less than a year and I definitly do not care for the Life Teen style. However I didn’t care for that type of music as a protestant either.

I have to admit that there is “acceptable diversity of expression” in the Church. While most of what is practiced at a Life Teen mass is probably licit in the Church I feel it diminnishes the experience and makes it a “party”. Yes there are times to party but I don’t think standing infront of Christ at calvary is the time to dance. It is the time to kneel and pray reverantly. You do find people celebrating in the bible… dancing and playing music… etc., but show me one time someone was in the presence of God or or even an angel when they were not thrown to their knees/face out of fear and reverance.

While most of what occures is probably licit I have a big problem with the creed being changed. I have Eastern Orthodox friends and they (as we) have always held the creed as a very sacred statement. So much so that dispute over it was a huge factor in creating the greatest scism in Church history. Our current pope has made potential union with the East a big part of his pontificate and I think anyone who “willie nillie” decides to “change up” the creed for, variety, or to make it funner so you can sing it, etc., needs a good solid wakup call to what it means to take your faith serously.

I recognize that in many parishes there is a distinct lack of involvement of both youth and adults. I think many Catholics are “asleep at the wheel” but I think Life Teen is the wrong answer to a problem I heartedly admit exists.

The Life Teen movement with it’s “spirit of innovation and irreverance” is only likely to ultimately lead kids away when they move from their home parish and find that the only church in their new location that worships in the way “they like” is a protestant church. Anything that we adopt from a protestant tradition while possibly a good thing should be very carefully scrutinized before adoption.

I can only speak from brief experience but the parish I have attended life teen masses at was very disruptive. There was nearly no time for silence and there were more leturgical “innovations” than you can shake a stick at. I think those who are proponents for the Life Teen mass are confusing excitement/involvement/presence for reverance. Just because a teen has found a stronger expression of worship does not make that expression reverant. There is a time for praise and worship music and there is a time for a sence of the solmn and sacred.

I feel that the Life Teen concept of renewal could be salvaged but only if the Life Teen training included training on leturgical norms and what they can and cannot vary.

I think too many leaders are all fired up about renewing the faith of their congregation (which is good) but they are not properly trained on what they can licitly do. Life Teen leader training needs to at a minimum include leturgical training.

If you concider the amount of leturgical abuse happening already with priests that have been through 3 years of cemenary, what is going to happen when those planning the liturgy have a 2 week course on how to introduce protestant music?

Anyway I know I sound a bit critical but I am skeptical of any renewal in the church that does not clearly call us BACK to our roots and instead calls us on something NEW and exciting.

 

[agname]

Hey mom26,

I’ve been to a few Lifeteen sponsored Masses…and liturgical abuses are rampant. For instance…the calling of the laity up to the altar during the consecration. I’ve gotten the Bishop(s) involved…and they’ve stopped these types of Masses…at least where I am near at the moment. You’re a great mom…keep up the good work.

 

[Smoke_Boy]

I really dislike the LIfe teen movement. I can’t help but thinking we are bringing the Mass down to the level of pop culture to intice teens, instead of showing them the beauty and transcendence of an authentic Mass. I feel the same way about World Youth Day - I would not let my children go to either one.

 

[jp2fan]

I say forget whether or not you like it or think it’s appropriate. The fact is that it brings people to Jesus, and that’s what’s important. If it makes them enjoy Mass, then that’s great. Sure, it’s immature, but spirituality is an ongoing development. Have faith that they’ll grow out of it. They’re getting the same graces at a Life Teen Mass as they are at a Latin Mass, and a LIfe Teen one may actually change their desires to respond to that grace. I know it is full of Liturgical abuses, and that should be taken care of, but a Mass is a Mass, and if they’re enjoying receiving Jesus, then good for them.

jp2fan

 

[CatholicGeek]

Smoke Boy:

I really dislike the LIfe teen movement. I can’t help but thinking we are bringing the Mass down to the level of pop culture to intice teens, instead of showing them the beauty and transcendence of an authentic Mass. I feel the same way about World Youth Day - I would not let my children go to either one.

Life Teen
The focus of Life Teen is to bring teens to Jesus in the Eucharist. If this is not happening where you saw Life Teen, maybe you can talk to the person(s) in charge to find out what they are doing and why.

World Youth Day Comments

In 2002, I went to the WYD in Toronto with a group of teens. I don’t think I’ll ever forget a number of things that happened there. Two of them are …

• A teen asking me “Do you think I’ll have the chance to go to confession?” after one of the sessions.
• The impact of JP II passing by just in front of the teens, their weeping and joy. It was as if the scripture in Acts 5:15 came alive.

So many lives have been touched by WYD’s. Participating in one is a life-changing event that brings people closer to both Jesus, the Pope, and the universal church!

 

[Karl_Keating]

In another thread I noted that Fr. Peter Stravinskas had written about a Life Teen Mass he watched (on video, as I recall). He called it the most abuse-filled Mass he had ever seen.

It may have been the same video that I saw. Parts of it were filmed at St. Timothy’s (I recognized that Arizona parish because I had spoken there many years ago). I would have to agree with Fr. Stravinskas’s assessment.

As for gathering around the altar, that is strictly forbidden. The only exception, so far as I know, is in children’s Masses, but children’s Masses are those with pre-adolescents. All teens are post-adolescents, so a Mass for them doesn’t qualify as a children’s Mass. It must meet the standards of a regular Mass.

Others, in messages above, already have indicated the problems with the music. The Church permits a wide latitude in music, but any music played during Mass must be sacred music. This excludes drums, for example.

I have doubts about the long-term efficacy of Life Teen programs. Granted, a few teens will develop a deeper interest in their faith. But how does that compare to how many would have had a deeper interest if the program had been one that inculcated an appreciation of the Church’s rich cultural heritage? (I give teens credit for being able to appreciate music composed by dead white males, and I give them credit for being able to appreciate true reverence.)

What will these teens think later, when their only “positive” experience of the Church has been in terms of secular-world excitements? What will happen when they realize those excitements can’t continue into adulthood? My guess is that they’ll drop away from religion entirely.

Youth programs are needed, but we need ones that challenge teens to a level above what even their parents achieve. (What kid wouldn’t want to outdo Mom and Dad?) Teens have brains as well as hormones, and we need to appeal to those brains. Feel-good gatherings around the altar and dance-hall music may capture their interest for the moment–but not for the long haul.

In the end, they’ll come back with the words their parents used to hear sung on the radio: “Is that all there is?”

 

[St_Stephen]

Originally I liked what I heard about LifeTeen, especially their focus on the Eucharist which is the life of the Church. The more I found out about it, however, I saw how it confuses reverence and excitement, has very mistaken ideas about what true worship really is, and is not firmly rooted in Tradition (hence the liturgical abuses). The Mass is ultimately a sacrifice to the Father that re-presents Christ. While it is important to stress the aspect of gathering as a community to worship, gathering around the alter regularly seems to bring the Mass down to the level of the community only and to leave out and forget about what is happening in heaven and with the Father.

From my personal experience the Christian Formation (or RE or CCD) program at my church (and many others) is lacking and LifeTeen no longer appears to be the answer. Does anyone know of an organization or program that offers an upbeat and interactive, orthodox and faith-strengthening Christian Formation program which draws on 2000 years of Church teaching that the average youth would want to be a part of? I would be happy to study the writings of Augustine, but I doubt the average teen would.

I think we all agree that LifeTeen has some serious problems, but what out there offers something that is truly worthwhile?

Karl, you mentioned that LifeTeen will not appeal to teens once they grow up, do you have any ideas about programs that will strengthen them and keep them involved? BTW, I definitely agree that teens need to be challenged. Due to superficial textbooks or incompetent teachers, too many teens think learning about religion is boring and soon after that they think that religion itself becomes boring and so when they grow up they leave.

 

[Smoke_Boy]

Karl K. : In light of what you wrote about Life Teen, what is your impression of World Youth Day? Just curious.

 

[faustina22]

Ok. There’s not much I disagree with Karl Keating on, but with Life Teen I have to do so.

In our diocese, the Bishop has asked that the altar gathering stop, and that is great b/c is is abusive, but in the years that LT has been in our diocese, we’ve seen SEVERAL vocations come out of that church. I say to everyone, including Fr. Stravinskas, “Look at the fruit.” Here at least, its been good fruit.

In addition, our teens are MUCH more reverent at the Eucharist and coming in and out of Mass, than the ADULTS I see there. I think they are better catechized as well. This is my humble opinion as a former protestant who is now Catholic.

As for LT’s efficacy, I have to ask Karl what about the myriad number of Catholic teens who are evangelized right out of the Church by well-meaning protestant youth ministries who happen to have those whistles and bells that the teenager seems to need at that time in his life? I have to think that LT is stemming that tide a bit, by allowing the teen to differentiate himself from his parents while still remaining in the one true Church.

And by the way, although I believe in anyone’s right to hear a ‘reverent Latin mass’, I think many more Catholics would COME ALIVE in their faith, if they were allowed to experience a true charismatic mass, like the one’s at Franciscan University in Steubenville. Why take the joy and community out of sharing in the Body and Blood of our Saviour? The first Christians were known by their joy, which is of the Holy Spirit. I think some hyper-liturgical Catholics are dealing with the spirit of false religion, and possibly pride, which isn’t of the Holy Spirit.

 

[vancampwi]

I received this in a newsletter from Steve Wood (familylifecenter.net). I don’t have teenagers, so I haven’t found out about it yet. But maybe it would be helpful to some of you:

Recent studies are reporting an alarming trend in today’s teens: young people are losing their religion in staggering numbers during their “transition years” from adolescence into adulthood. Gallup Polls identified the transition years as 18-29 years old, reporting that this is the most significant drop-out period for young people leaving the Church. The Barna Research Group found a 92% increase in non-Church-going adults since 1991. A UCLA study reported that while 52% of college freshman attend Church, that number drops to 29% by their junior year. And this trend is not exclusive to American youth. Australian Fr. John Piumatti stated: “according to official Church figures, 95% of teenagers who attend our Catholic school system today leave the Church. The Faith is seen as ‘irrelevant.’”

The Family Life Center has created a new “youth & young adult” division, called NextWave Faithful. Our mission is to help equip your teens and young adults to stay strong in their faith and life through the “transition years”.

NextWave Faithful’s target audience is 16 to 26-year-olds. Our strategy is to offer young people a place of community, support, and fellowship, while challenging them to learn and defend their Faith boldly, and uphold high moral standards. Basically, we’re challenging young people to be radical followers of Jesus Christ in the new millennium.

To accomplish our mission, we’ve created a dynamic “Online Community” for young adults on our website: www.nextwavefaithful.com. We have discussion forums on topics relating to life, love, purpose, and truth, monitored chat rooms, an online music station playing the best Christian hit music, articles, resources, and much more. I hope you’ll encourage your young adults ages 16-26 to become members of NextWave Faithful.

I also invite you and your teens to listen to our live radio show for teens and young adults on the EWTN Network, called The Wave Factor. Your teens can listen live every Thursday night from 9-10pm ET, immediately following Life on the Rock. If you don’t have a Catholic radio station in your area, you can listen via shortwave, or online at: http://www.nextwavefaithful.com/radio.asp

 

[Exalt]

In another thread I noted that Fr. Peter Stravinskas had written about a Life Teen Mass he watched (on video, as I recall). He called it the most abuse-filled Mass he had ever seen.

It may have been the same video that I saw. Parts of it were filmed at St. Timothy’s (I recognized that Arizona parish because I had spoken there many years ago). I would have to agree with Fr. Stravinskas’s assessment.

As for gathering around the altar, that is strictly forbidden. The only exception, so far as I know, is in children’s Masses, but children’s Masses are those with pre-adolescents. All teens are post-adolescents, so a Mass for them doesn’t qualify as a children’s Mass. It must meet the standards of a regular Mass.

These are all good points. Parishes across the nation are asking their bishops if the gathering around the altar is permissible. Indeed, a inquiry to Rome was sent. Word will be back soon, we hope.

Others, in messages above, already have indicated the problems with the music. The Church permits a wide latitude in music, but any music played during Mass must be sacred music. This excludes drums, for example.

Could you find me a statement that says specifically that Drums of any kind are forbidden? For in the bible, the Drums and stringed instruments are played extremely frequently as praise to God. In addition, your adapt how the mass is done for the culture at hand. Excellent, uplifting, and life-giving music for teens is an absolute necessity. We have found that the guitar-driven supplemented with an experienced drummer fulfills this need much more than a cantor and organ (or piano). This is merely a matter of taste. I feel out of place in a Spanish mass with Mexican music. I can understand how you would feel out of place at a teen mass with music that attempted to reach teens.

I have doubts about the long-term efficacy of Life Teen programs. Granted, a few teens will develop a deeper interest in their faith.

The parishes in my diocese (Austin) that have LifeTeen are absolutely amazing. Hundreds of teenagers attend. Having talked to them, they are definitely more orthodox than many adults! I attended the LifeTeen training conference in Mesa, Arizona this June - I talked to the teenagers in a small group. We were talking about Objective Truth (Everyone in the small group absolutely believed in it - while most teenagers this day do not). The conversation turned to: “Have you ever had a time where an authority figure contradicted something you knew to be true? How did you react?” I was absolutely amazed by the youth’s responses. One teacher (who was a nun) believed that women would become priests! This appalled the group greatly. However, at my parish, a majority of the congregation believes that women will become priests soon. Our pastor dissents on this issue.

But how does that compare to how many would have had a deeper interest if the program had been one that inculcated an appreciation of the Church’s rich cultural heritage? (I give teens credit for being able to appreciate music composed by dead white males, and I give them credit for being able to appreciate true reverence.)

You mean traditional catholic music? Or adhering to a normal adult-run cantor and organ mass? The fact is, Karl, that the majority of teens do not identify with this music. We need to reach out to the Tommy Too-Cools and the Sally Socials and the Angry Amys as well as the Betty Beatifieds. The normal Sunday mass does not reach out to teens well enough.

Here is what I find happens with well-run LifeTeen programs: A deep sense of ownership develops: “This isn’t the Church of my Mom and Dad, this is MY church!” A deep and profound love of the Eucharist develops right off the bat: Have you ever been to adoration with these sorts of teens? It is absolutely awe-inspiring. At St. Tim’s in Mesa, many teens attend DAILY MASS. And they have school early in the morning every day! And that isn’t a Teen mass, that’s just your normal daily mass.

What will these teens think later, when their only “positive” experience of the Church has been in terms of secular-world excitements? What will happen when they realize those excitements can’t continue into adulthood? My guess is that they’ll drop away from religion entirely.

When the faith first develops in teens, it is very much pre-mature, like a new born baby. It require food (catechisis) and nurturing (reach-out programs) to keep growing. A deep appreciation for any mass develops as the faith of the teen grows quickly. It’s not just about the music or the peers. It’s about meeting Jesus in the Eucharist! Every Life Teen regular knows this through and through. It’s the focus of the Life Teen program: “I am the Bread of Life” - Life Teen.

 

[Exalt]

(The forum would not allow me to include the entire response, so here it is)

Youth programs are needed, but we need ones that challenge teens to a level above what even their parents achieve. (What kid wouldn’t want to outdo Mom and Dad?) Teens have brains as well as hormones, and we need to appeal to those brains. Feel-good gatherings around the altar and dance-hall music may capture their interest for the moment–but not for the long haul.

After every mass there is a Life Night to have these catechesis sessions. However, they are not boring to teenagers. They are balanced and life giving. In addition, it is quite common for Life Teen programs to develop high-level Bible study or apologetics programs - the teens demand them! At your parish, is there a group of teens demanding this?

Life Teen is a very well-rounded program. Catechesis is extremely important. Indeed, many vocations come from LifeTeen programs. At the very least, many many teens are questioning the Vocation as a possibility in their lives, which is awesome.