Dave:
As a young adult (mid-20s) I think the most important thing is faith formation. I grew up with all of my religious education ‘sugar coated’ in an attempt to make faith seem ‘fun’. This turned a lot of people off because they get a sense of security thinking that we can get lazy in our faith and we don’t have to worry about it.
Look at your pews - it’s probably rare to see a lot of 20-somethings in them. It’s not that we’ve all turned away from our faith, we just don’t think it’s important because we’ve grown up hearing that God loves us so much that even if we do wrong, we’re still going to be OK. Of course we all know how much God loves us, but we need more than that.
We need and will respond to learning about the faith. I was a luke warm Catholic like so many young people, but then I found Catholic Answers and began to learn why we believe what we believe, and things started to make sense. We need to hear the truth, and we need to understand the faith. Teach us why being Catholic is so important and you’ll see us start to trickle back.
Yes!:tiphat:
- As far as catechism/classes/youth group. There is a need for revelance, but also for solid doctrine. Expierential and “situational” teaching, as well as “real life stories” can have a role, but not a domineering one. The old memorisation from the Baltimore #2 might not be the best method, but utilising a firm teaching, including using straightfiward Catechisms like the Baltimore combined with things of “inspiration” and experiential would be more successful
- Adoration is a great practice to take a Catechism class to
- However, Masses, especially ones that flagrantly ignore Church law (such as standing around the altar for the consercration), that are “suited” to teens should not be used. If it has illicit practices (like some Life Teens do) it teaches the wrong thing. Also the focus should be on God, as well as the fact that many will see through it as hollow
Teach the faith, unadulterated. Don’t have segragated Masses regularily for teens. When there is a special Mass, like one for a catechism class, by all means make the homily relevant to the audience, but don’t refrain and don’t use fluff. Hearing the same thing over and over doesn’t help, especially when hollow. Saying something that might even cause them to disagree is better, cause then they are at least being stimulated by it.
Also, don’t try to snag people with endorphins. Yes loud music, clapping, etc. might be fun and get them involved, but it wears off, and the foundation is gone. Traditional Reverence, believe it or no, does captivate youth. I am not speaking necessarily of Chant and thuribers. No, but just basic piety goes a long way in impressing the import off it all.
And lastly wrt individual youth, make sure that (if you are a youth leader) that you mantain a relationship where they can trust you. An atmosphere where they can talk freely. In my experience I remember a retreat for Confirmation. The guy next to me had had problems with drugs and etc. We were talking about God’s mercy and that God would accept a repentant heart (in less lofty terms), in other words that he was not damned or lost. But the “counselors” would interupt us and accost us for talking why they tried to have us work with “praise music”, that really by this point was not captivating anyone. The counselors were trrying to be “relevant” but missing what they should have addressed. I spent a good chunk of time discussing with other youth and answering questions, “No you don’t need to receive from the chalice to have full Communion”, “Yes Confession is necessary before communion if you commit mortal sin”, “no the Church doesn’t allow cases for abortion”. Even when it was more debate than discussion, both the person and I learned something. And it was precisely the “offensive” issues (e.g. abortion, contraception, divorce) that got people heated and helped to instruct them in the Faith the most.
BTW, I am 18
