Teen Mass

[spellinggirl]

I’m confused! My parish has a new deacon who is very involved with the youth, which is awesome. We also have a new youth minister, and she’s great too. I’m a youth leader in my youth group and really devoted to it. My problem is this: They’re planning a youth Mass and want our (name removed by moderator)ut. I am very against a youth Mass, because I’ve found that they’re not reverent enough and personally, I am completely satisfied with the regular Sunday Masses.

How do I go about supporting my youth minister, deacon, and youth group but stay away from the youth Mass altogether? I understand that it will be good for many of the youth in my parish, but not for me. What should I say when they ask for my (name removed by moderator)ut? Should I attend the meeting to plan the Mass? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[laszlo]

The youth Mass in itself should not be significantly different from the regular Mass, except that the audience is the teens, the sermon is to the teens, and if this is New Order Mass than the readers and other ministers are from the teens.

You can advise to organize a choir to sing Gregorian, at least the Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, or may be the propers too.

 

[FirstCalled]

You are a teen. Your (name removed by moderator)ut is important. The meeting isn’t just for teens who want a wild and crazy liberal mass. No, it is for teens. As the other poster said usually teens are lectors, commentators, etc. This may be where you can express that you do NOT want irreverent loud, music. If you don’t say anything, it could lead to where you won’t attend that mass, at which point you may be looked down upon for not attending. So, while you have (name removed by moderator)ut, and if there is an opportunity to express your opinion, please do so.

 

[archangel04]

The youth Mass in itself should not be significantly different from the regular Mass, except that the audience is the teens, the sermon is to the teens, and if this is New Order Mass than the readers and other ministers are from the teens.

You can advise to organize a choir to sing Gregorian, at least the Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, or may be the propers too.

Take laszlo’s argument to your deacon, I very much agree! No need to dumb down the mass, you guys are teens not babys.

 

[TheMc]

Take laszlo’s argument to your deacon, I very much agree! No need to dumb down the mass, you guys are teens not babys.

I second the motion!

 

[Melchior_1]

Take laszlo’s argument to your deacon, I very much agree! No need to dumb down the mass, you guys are teens not babys.

I don’t see anywhere in laszlo’s post about “dumbing down” anything. For that matter, I’m always curious how teen Masses automatically are assumed to be “dumbed down”.

To the OP; personally I would suggest you tell them what you just told us. Something along the lines of “I can see how the ‘teen Mass’ would have a positive impact on people. But it’s not for me and my spirituality/charism. This is why it’s not for me, and why some others who share my spirituality/charism may not like it”.

If your youth coordinator and Deacon are as good as you say, they’ll listen and respect your opinion. They may disagree with you of course, but they’ll listen and take your opinion into account.

 

[PatriceA]

The youth Mass in itself should not be significantly different from the regular Mass, except that the audience is the teens, the sermon is to the teens, and if this is New Order Mass than the readers and other ministers are from the teens.

You can advise to organize a choir to sing Gregorian, at least the Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, or may be the propers too.

Third or fourth this advice, can’t remember how many other previous posters gave this the thumbs up.

Why don’t you go to the meeting, say you’ve found teen masses to be a bit irreverant and how you hope this experience at your own parish could be different? If the only teens that are showing up for the meetings are the ones that want masses that seem a bit wild, then the only teen masses anybody is ever going to experience is the irreverant masses. You have a chance to make a difference, use it.

 

[joandarc2008]

We have a life teen mass at our Parish - there is an adult band that plays -they do the Kyrie - it is not Gregorian but it is Kyrie and it is reverent. The times in the Mass such as the Eucharist are reverent as they should be - the music is more contemporary Christian as far as the hymns. They are still hymns - things you would probably recognize from Steve Agrisano, etc. No loud rap, or hard rock. They can be sung along with. Attendance is good. If anything I think the teens become more reverent and well behaved attending this mass then the others as they wish to keep it.

 

[archangel04]

I don’t see anywhere in laszlo’s post about “dumbing down” anything. For that matter, I’m always curious how teen Masses automatically are assumed to be “dumbed down”.

To the OP; personally I would suggest you tell them what you just told us. Something along the lines of “I can see how the ‘teen Mass’ would have a positive impact on people. But it’s not for me and my spirituality/charism. This is why it’s not for me, and why some others who share my spirituality/charism may not like it”.

If your youth coordinator and Deacon are as good as you say, they’ll listen and respect your opinion. They may disagree with you of course, but they’ll listen and take your opinion into account.

The OP is worried about the fact that they need to change the mass for teens! Stop getting offended shees. Laszlo’s point is pretty good one, it involves teens, the homily should be something teens can relate too, and the readings should be ready by teens, what’s wrong with that? Why the need to change the music to fit a genre for teens? The mass is not a genre, if you belong to the Latin rite, then celbrate it accordingly.

 

[joandarc2008]

The OP is worried about the fact that they need to change the mass for teens! Stop getting offended shees. Laszlo’s point is pretty good one, it involves teens, the homily should be something teens can relate too, and the readings should be ready by teens, what’s wrong with that? Why the need to change the music to fit a genre for teens? The mass is not a genre, if you belong to the Latin rite, then celbrate it accordingly.

There is a Magisterium approved program called Life Teen that includes a Mass program. I can see not changing any of the standing mass times - in our parishes case - it is an addition - it is celebrated Sunday evening. After our young adult group actually goes out for dinner.

 

[mellowcalico]

I think it depends a lot on what is meant by “teen Mass.” Is it a “regular” Mass, but just with teen lectors, choir, etc. and with a homily focused towards teens and teen issues… or is it something more wild, like the OP fears? When I went to Catholic school we had Mass for students and it wasn’t much different than Mass on Sunday except the homily was geared toward children, teachers did readings, etc. (I was in Catholic School 1-4 grade).

Whatever it is, even it you don’t decide to participate OP, put in your (name removed by moderator)ut, don’t be silent.

 

[PatriceA]

There is a Magisterium approved program called Life Teen that includes a Mass program. I can see not changing any of the standing mass times - in our parishes case - it is an addition - it is celebrated Sunday evening. After our young adult group actually goes out for dinner.

There can be a difference though, not every parish uses the Lifeteen program. Mine doesn’t, but they do have a “teen” mass. Maybe the OP needs to clarify if they’re referring to Lifeteen program or not.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

FYI, having a choir singing Gregorian Chant isn’t mandated at any Mass.

Gregorian Chant holds a special place in the Catholic Liturgy, but its not mandated, and in my opinion based on my experience, if it can’t be done well, it shouldn’t be done at all.

Jim

 

[archangel04]

FYI, having a choir singing Gregorian Chant isn’t mandated at any Mass.

Gregorian Chant holds a special place in the Catholic Liturgy, but its not mandated, and in my opinion based on my experience, if it can’t be done well, it shouldn’t be done at all.

Jim

That is true, and I agree if you can’t do Gregorian right, then don’t do it or keep practicing until you do. I rather listen to a folk mass than a distorted Gregorian chant.

 

[jmcrae]

I’m confused! My parish has a new deacon who is very involved with the youth, which is awesome. We also have a new youth minister, and she’s great too. I’m a youth leader in my youth group and really devoted to it. My problem is this: They’re planning a youth Mass and want our (name removed by moderator)ut. I am very against a youth Mass, because I’ve found that they’re not reverent enough and personally, I am completely satisfied with the regular Sunday Masses.

Let them know your feelings.

How do I go about supporting my youth minister, deacon, and youth group but stay away from the youth Mass altogether? I understand that it will be good for many of the youth in my parish, but not for me. What should I say when they ask for my (name removed by moderator)ut? Should I attend the meeting to plan the Mass? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Yes, attend the meeting to plan the Mass, and suggest that it be of the sort where, although teens are the ones doing the lay parts of the Mass, and the homily is geared toward teens, it’s not something that could be mistaken for a rock concert, or something from the 1970s.

 

[Cat]

Why are your youth leaders planning a youth Mass?

I think you need to ask that question and listen closely to the answer.

If they respond that they just want to be cool and more like the Protestants, then you probably should respond with a nay.

But I’m guessing that the reason they are planning the Mass is because they want to reach out and rescue teenagers who are no longer attending Mass or maintaining any involvement at all in the Catholic Church or with the Catholic faith.

I’m guessing that the parents of these young people who have left the Church have gone to the pastor in tears, grieving for their children, and begging him to please help them to do something, anything to get their teens back into the Church.

These parents are in agony, worried about their teenagers’ life and their souls. They are afraid that because their teenagers have rejected the Church of Christ, the Catholic Church, that the teens will go to hell.

In their mind, a few contemporary songs, some guitars and keyboard and maybe a set of drums at Mass is worth it if it brings their children back into the Church.

Please try to understand how these parents feel. They love their children and they want them to be faith-filled and involved with the Catholic Church. They are not asking for a youth Mass for vain reasons.

The Bible says this: “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.”

spellinggirl, one thing that you have to wrap your mind around and get to a point where you can accept it is that even if you enjoy traditional Catholicism and a more sedate spirituality, many teens are not like you. They honestly like contemporary music, lively youth speakers, and the type of fellowship that you see at many Protestant churches. That’s why thousands of young people attend these youth meetings at Protestant churches. They wouldn’t be there if they thought it was dumb or worldly or stupid. They actually like it.

So you’ll have to get to a place where you can accept that other teenagers are not like you, and even more importantly, you’ll have to get to a place where you can respect them even though they are different than you and your friends.

The Church does not condemn contemporary music in the Mass. The Church actually approves of the Life Teen Masses. We have an excellent Life Teen Mass in our parish that is attended by several hundred teens on Sunday evening. Yes, there are teens who don’t prefer to attend, and some of these teens attend the Traditional Latin Mass in another parish in our city. That’s OK.

IF you would still prefer that your parish not offer a special “teen Mass,” then I will ask YOU a question–what is YOUR action plan for reaching out to all the teenagers in your parish who have left the Church and getting them to return to Mass and involvement with the Church?

If you have a better plan, then bring that plan to the meeting and encourage your youth leaders to adopt YOUR plan instead of a “teen Mass.”

But if you don’t have a plan to reach out to wayward teens, then perhaps it would be wise to allow the leaders and the pastor to try the “teen Mass” plan.

Hope this advice is helpful to you.

 

[TheMc]

You should really let them know of your feelings. There is no reason to modify the mass for teens. The mass should be universal.

Our homeschool also has a teen/youth mass on first fridays, but it’s a little different that most. (I know I’ll get people mad, but…) We do it the right way. The kids get very involved. Youth are servers, MCs, sacristans, schola members who sing the Gregorian propers of the day, organists, and the priest celebrates ad-orientem. Read the documents. This is how the church prefers it done. It’s not the only way, but (I know I’m going to get people mad again, but …) it’s by far the best way.

Now that’s my kind of youth mass.

 

[baltobetsy]

Nice post, Cat.

 

[spellinggirl]

I DO get that most teens aren’t like me. I understand! I think I phrased my original post poorly. I’m not against a youth Mass. I’m against one that’s not reverent. That seems to be a problem with my youth group, a long-running issue. At retreats, adoration isn’t handled well. Nor is Mass when the youth group attends together. I’m not as orthodox as you think I am. We have guitars and drums at REGULAR Mass almost all the time, and I love them. Our music is more contemporary, but it’s still beautiful and reverent.

As for my friends, I’m the only one of them who doesn’t feel a PERSONAL need for a youth Mass. I’m happy for them if they get one, I just want to make sure it’s reverent, period. I respect our differences. I’m not ignorant or impolite. I’m just a teen… maybe my opinion doesn’t matter at all. Who knows?

The meeting is tomorrow night, and I’ll try to go, if I manage to get all my homework done.

 

[RB2]

I’m confused! My parish has a new deacon who is very involved with the youth, which is awesome. We also have a new youth minister, and she’s great too. I’m a youth leader in my youth group and really devoted to it. My problem is this: They’re planning a youth Mass and want our (name removed by moderator)ut. I am very against a youth Mass, because I’ve found that they’re not reverent enough and personally, I am completely satisfied with the regular Sunday Masses.

How do I go about supporting my youth minister, deacon, and youth group but stay away from the youth Mass altogether? I understand that it will be good for many of the youth in my parish, but not for me. What should I say when they ask for my (name removed by moderator)ut? Should I attend the meeting to plan the Mass? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

There is a certain youth mass I dont go to.
Its not the music so much, or the youth congregating and holding hands on the altar during the consecration…either of these things I’m not a fan of.

However, its the lack of adult discretion in guiding these youth. The band is composed of yutes and their instruments. They setup somewhat early and then for the next twenty or thirty minutes before mass starts after they are already setup with their equiptment and microphone checks. You’ll have these yutes doing a guitar riff, then he settles down, they talk to each other, then another careless yute does a short drum routine, this endlessly goes on until the last minute or two before the entrance procession. I can not be in silence or prayer before the Lord before mass starts and this lack of silence encourages others to chat away.

This pattern seems to repeat itself even with certain adult bands as if they are volunteering to play music then the Pastor or others dont want to step on toes to provide the necessary guidance towards reverence in the Church as if these volunteers would be insulted and not volunteer their services.