What are your feelings toward the Life Teen Masses offered in many parishes?

[CatholicFireman]

I’m not a big fan of it but I have other times I can go to mass on Sunday. I’m an even lesser fan of the contemporary choir mass (just my preference). Unfortunately, that is on Saturday night and my shift work sometimes require I work on Sundays.

Alas…it’s comforting to know that Christ is present regardless.

 

[anp1215]

I must say I have never encountered anyone who attends both SSPX and Lifeteen Masses. It’s awesome that you attend both the EF and Life Teen and can appreciate the differences instead of sneering at them (even though I don’t think it’s good to associate with the SSPX).

I like our Life Teen Masses and that’s usually what I attend on Sundays. My husband prefers them because he likes to watch the musicians and the time. I’m easy to please so I go to that Mass for him. I do like seeing the teens participate in Mass too. And I like that I know most of the songs.

 

[IgnatiusDaughtr]

There is an SSPX chapel that offers the EF in Lawrence, MA. But it’s over an hour away from my home and I don’t drive.

EF Masses are said at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston on Sundays at 11:00am in the Lower Church, and at 7:30pm on First Fridays. The Lower Church was renovated a few years ago with the celebration of the EF in mind, and it is beautiful down there - holycrossboston.com/schedule.html. The Silver Line bus stops almost directly in front of the Cathedral for easy accessibility, plus you get to go to Mass at the Cardinal’s home parish!

 

[CMatt25]

I must say I have never encountered anyone who attends both SSPX and Lifeteen Masses. It’s awesome that you attend both the EF and Life Teen and can appreciate the differences instead of sneering at them (even though I don’t think it’s good to associate with the SSPX).

I like our Life Teen Masses and that’s usually what I attend on Sundays. My husband prefers them because he likes to watch the musicians and the time. I’m easy to please so I go to that Mass for him. I do like seeing the teens participate in Mass too. And I like that I know most of the songs.

Anp, what kinds of songs? There is a weekly Lifeteen at one or 2 parishes not extremely long distances from me that I know of. Another has a monthly teen Mass. I always considered attending one but never did.

 

[benjammin]

To be honest, the one lifeteen mass I regularly went to was okay, but it was because they had a really good priest who made sure they followed the rules (he even would tell them that he wouldn’t offer communion if the kids were too irreverant during the sign of peace). However I wasn’t a big fan of the band. Not because of the guitars, but the drums were a little much. Other than that it was a decent mass, and being from the lincoln diocese (the church with lifeteen was in the omaha archdiocese) it was acceptable. The program itself also has many fruits, at least in this certain community since they had quite a few seminarians and nuns.

 

[Stylites]

Well I do like the Life Teen Mass. I’m 17 years old…not from the pre-Vatican II era. I attend the Novus Ordo Mass every day during the summer time, and SSPX once a month. I like both forms of the Mass.

That’s great to hear you attend an Ordinary Form of the Mass every day during the summer.

 

[ChibiViolet]

No, the Life Teen Masses appear to be run by the kids. They pick all of the songs. The priest simply consecrates the hosts

Without the consecration, it would not be a Mass.

 

[anp1215]

Anp, what kinds of songs? There is a weekly Lifeteen at one or 2 parishes not extremely long distances from me that I know of. Another has a monthly teen Mass. I always considered attending one but never did.

Let’s see, a mix of praise and worship type music and contemporary-ish hymns. Last Sunday the processional was “Shout to the Lord” (Hillsong/Darlene Czech). Communion songs were “I am the Bread of Life” (Suzanne Toolan/John Michael Talbot) and “Revelation Song” (Phillips Craig & Dean/Kari Jobe). Recessional was “A New Hallelujah” (Michael W. Smith). For the life of me I can’t remember what the offertory song was. Other songs commonly used are “Your Grace is Enough” (Matt Maher), “Amazing Grace, my chains are gone” (Chris Tomlin), “Blessed be the name of the Lord,” “Alive” (Matt Maher), “Mighty to Save” (Ruben Morgan). If you ever listen to Christian radio, you are probably familiar with most of the songs.
God bless

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

There is an SSPX chapel that offers the EF in Lawrence, MA. But it’s over an hour away from my home and I don’t drive.

There is a 1:00 Latin Mass at St. adelaide’s in Peabody and regular Latin Mass in Newton. Our fine Archdiocese has a number of Parishes that offer the EF. If you are closer to Boston, you can go to the Cathedral.

Also, what SSPX Chapel are you talking about? There is no SSPX in Boston, I don’t think.

As to the lifeteen mass, I’ve never liked it. I find the music too distracting.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I do like seeing the teens participate in Mass too.

Why is it assumed that if people aren’t doing stuff such as reading, distributing communion (every prayer for priestly vocations is a prayer for the end of EMHCs), and singing, they aren’t participating in Mass?

I abhor Teen Life Masses. I don’t see the need for them. All they do is fill teenagers’ emotions and desire that Mass should conform to them and make them feel good. My brother used to play guitar for the Teen Life Mass. Now he’s so far from the Church it’s going to take a lot of prayer and grace to get him back.

I had to go to one once to fulfill my Sunday obligation. The teenage girl who was distributing communion made the most disgusted face when I received on the tongue. Obviously someone isn’t mature enough to handle her grave responsibility.

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

Why is it assumed that if people aren’t doing stuff such as reading, distributing communion (every prayer for priestly vocations is a prayer for the end of EMHCs), and singing, they aren’t participating in Mass?

Hear hear. I agree whole heartedly.

The Holy Father is okay with us attending SSPX. I asked my Bishop before attending.

Which Bishop was this? If I may be so bold as to inquire.

 

[Melchior_1]

I abhor Teen Life Masses. I don’t see the need for them. All they do is fill teenagers’ emotions and desire that Mass should conform to them and make them feel good.

A lot of the positive things people say about the EF can be seemed up with stimulation of the senses, yet apparently in that case it’s a positive?

Very kind of you to be able to examine the Mass and figure out exactly what it does for those who attend though.

I had to go to one once to fulfill my Sunday obligation. The teenage girl who was distributing communion made the most disgusted face when I received on the tongue. Obviously someone isn’t mature enough to handle her grave responsibility.

Some people are squeamish about saliva, there’s adults who would probably have a similar expression.

My brother used to play guitar for the Teen Life Mass. Now he’s so far from the Church it’s going to take a lot of prayer and grace to get him back.

I’m extremely mostly sure there’s more to your brother being far from the Church than just a history playing the guitar at Mass.

 

[anp1215]

Why is it assumed that if people aren’t doing stuff such as reading, distributing communion (every prayer for priestly vocations is a prayer for the end of EMHCs), and singing, they aren’t participating in Mass?

I abhor Teen Life Masses. I don’t see the need for them. All they do is fill teenagers’ emotions and desire that Mass should conform to them and make them feel good. My brother used to play guitar for the Teen Life Mass. Now he’s so far from the Church it’s going to take a lot of prayer and grace to get him back.

I had to go to one once to fulfill my Sunday obligation. The teenage girl who was distributing communion made the most disgusted face when I received on the tongue. Obviously someone isn’t mature enough to handle her grave responsibility.

What are you talking about? I wasn’t even referring to teens “doing stuff such as reading, distributing communion, and singing.” The teens don’t distribute Communion or participate in the choir or band in our parish (they do participate in the readings). I was talking about seeing the teens in the pews together, singing their hearts out, often with eyes closed and hands raised during the recessional. Also seeing them reverently receive Communion and kneeling deep in prayer afterwards.
And why did you assume that I think people who aren’t distributing Communion or doing the readings aren’t participating?

 

[CMatt25]

Let’s see, a mix of praise and worship type music and contemporary-ish hymns. Last Sunday the processional was “Shout to the Lord” (Hillsong/Darlene Czech). Communion songs were “I am the Bread of Life” (Suzanne Toolan/John Michael Talbot) and “Revelation Song” (Phillips Craig & Dean/Kari Jobe). Recessional was “A New Hallelujah” (Michael W. Smith). For the life of me I can’t remember what the offertory song was. Other songs commonly used are “Your Grace is Enough” (Matt Maher), “Amazing Grace, my chains are gone” (Chris Tomlin), “Blessed be the name of the Lord,” “Alive” (Matt Maher), “Mighty to Save” (Ruben Morgan). If you ever listen to Christian radio, you are probably familiar with most of the songs.
God bless

Cool. Yes I’ve often listened to Christian radio. One of my favorite forms of music actually. I still remember at one of the parishes I’ve previously attended, there is a contemporary mens choir with keyboard only, that performs at the mid morning Sunday Mass. Not a “teen Mass”. And when I was there for Easter once they sang “Shout to the Lord” which was so uplifting. After Mass people actually stood and applauded. Maybe some applauding were just “C&E” Catholics though. Thanks and God bless you too.

 

[anp1215]

Cool. Yes I’ve often listened to Christian radio. One of my favorite forms of music actually. I still remember at one of the parishes I’ve previously attended, there is a contemporary mens choir with keyboard only, that performs at the mid morning Sunday Mass. Not a “teen Mass”. And when I was there for Easter once they sang “Shout to the Lord” which was so uplifting. After Mass people actually stood and applauded. Maybe some applauding were just “C&E” Catholics though. Thanks and God bless you too.

You’re welcome. Shout to the Lord is one of my favorite songs. I don’t know if you’ve heard it, but Revelation Song is another one of my favorites. After I received the Eucharist on Sunday and we were singing that, I was almost lost in my own world.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

A lot of the positive things people say about the EF can be seemed up with stimulation of the senses, yet apparently in that case it’s a positive?

The EF is part of our Catholic identity and a legitimate form of Mass. Even a bare-bones low Mass is more conducive to prayer and the sacrifice that is taking place than a Teen Life Mass.

If the Catholics at Life Teen Masses were properly catechized and knew what is taking place when they attend Mass, they wouldn’t need all the bizarre antics.

 

[Melchior_1]

The EF is part of our Catholic identity and a legitimate form of Mass. Even a bare-bones low Mass is more conducive to prayer and the sacrifice that is taking place than a Teen Life Mass.

A Life Teen Mass is simply an Ordinary Form Mass that happens to precede a “Life Night” (aka a youth group night). Quite legitimate, unless you think the OF isn’t a legitimate Form?

Or is it just the Life Teen Mass that isn’t legitimate? Do you consider Life Teen Masses invalid?

The EF still fuels emotions and appeals to some people’s senses. Your logic can be applied to the EF if you’re using “appealing to the emotions”.

Meanwhile, I also expect you to fully blame Gregorian Chant & the EF if any one in your family falls away from the Church, since surely that is the reason why!

If the Catholics at Life Teen Masses were properly catechized and knew what is taking place when they attend Mass, they wouldn’t need all the bizarre antics.

You’re saying that I’m not properly catechized, right?

 

[CMatt25]

You’re welcome. Shout to the Lord is one of my favorite songs. I don’t know if you’ve heard it, but Revelation Song is another one of my favorites. After I received the Eucharist on Sunday and we were singing that, I was almost lost in my own world.

Mine too. I’d heard of some of the ones in your earlier post. I might have heard Revelation Song but sometimes I don’t always know the titles so I’m not sure.

 

[CMatt25]

Well the poster said “If the Catholics at Life Teen Masses were properly catechized…”

Are you at LT Masses?

 

[CMatt25]

You’re saying that I’m not properly catechized, right?

Well the poster said “If the Catholics at Life Teen Masses were properly catechized…”

Are you at LT Masses?

Try not to feel too bad though or take it too personally. You’re not alone. I’ve seen lots of people told on CAF they are not properly catechized. It’s not an uncommon occurance. I think maybe it’s just something people here like to say to others who they don’t know beyond the internet.