What is Your Opinion on the Life Teen Mass?

[michaeldaniels]

So if they decide Korn, Slipnot, Rage Against The Machine, and Nine Inch Nails consitutes “holy music” for them, then by all means they should have it…Listen, The Church is not a democracy…Truth is not a democracy and all this crayon Jesus, Koombaya do whatever you want because you feel it is right and Jesus will understand nonsense is just that…nonsense. Sacredness for crying out loud…Reverence, respect…Those teens should learn it or taking a leave of absence from the Church until they can bear it…in the meantime, i and the majority of Catholics of all ages wish to attend a reverent, respectful, and holy Mass in the same environment…and environment which is conducive to prayer, meditation, and worship.

I offer no rage. Only and :clapping:

It’s refreshing to see someone who understands that youth need to worship with music that is relevant to THEM! Respect people’s preferences on what constitutes “holy music” for crying out loud!!!

 

[MercyMia]

Life Teen itself is a very orthodox organization in my opinion. Their webite has very sound apologetics and they stress loyalty to the Magesterium.
Yet all I ever hear about the masses is negative and I am enclined to believe it based on descriptions. Does anyone know WHY the disparity exists?

 

[PatriceA]

I’m 18 and I don’t know it.

But in synch with the discussion, i think this kind of Mass includes loud music? If that’s the case, I won’t like it.

Yes, God loves music but we must be responsible where to use certain kinds/genre of music. We don’t rap/rock on solemn occasions, and Holy Mass is a special and solemn occasion. You can sing your lungs out loud somewhere else but not on a Holy Mass. I believe Holy Mass demands contemplation and rock music will never make a person contemplate in the silence of a church-goer’s heart.

Yes youth, like me, would like a music known to us. That’s very true. But don’t place it during the Holy Mass. Place it somewhere else, on prayer meetings etc. etc.

In the Philippines, we use the guitar. Not the electric one, but the acoustic (whatever we call that) guitar. It’s part of our culture. During the Palm Sunday, the choir played vernacular religious songs with guitar and it is amazing. The choir was all-male, they’re quite old and they sounded like ‘kundiman’ (local and traditional love songs. So usually the song is sweet). BTW, We Filipinos have traditional religious songs called ‘dalit (traditional song of praise to God in Spanish or in vernacular)’.

I am troubled with the original meaning of the phrase ‘You rock!’

Maybe the distinction needs to be made about the use of guitar. Many songs in the Missal can be adapted to an acoustic guitar. I don’t see any need or use for an electric guitar at a Mass. Or a full drum set, or for the backup singers with their individual mic stands.

 

[Melchior_1]

I told myself I wouldn’t post in this thread again, but I want to touch on two things;

First, several people who has posted fierce objections to the Life Teen Mass in general are the same people who dislike the OF in general, to the point of borderline (if not outright) heresy. It stands to reason these people would of course have an issue with the Life Teen mass, as they take beef with any Mass that isn’t TLM. These responses were expected and will subsequently won’t be responded to because the main issue with these people isn’t the Life Teen Mass, but rather the idea of the OF as a whole (and there’s other threads about that).

Second, Dale Fushek is a man who needs prayer and help, that much is obvious. That the founder turning out to be a heretic (among other things) is troubling, but that certainly doesn’t mean everything the man did in his life was a mistake. We have Church Fathers who fell into heresy, but their early writings are still valid. We also have St Jerome, whose legendary “attitude” could qualify him as being the Patron Saint of Jack ----s…but he’s a Saint and did a lot of great things.

Fushek screwed up, and he did so in a spectacular fashion. That doesn’t mean the Life Teen organization itself is bad, however. It’s officially sanctioned by the Vatican, has been for some time, and continues to be. All resources and materials are vetted through the appropriate channels, and the organization remains loyal to Rome. That’s better than I can say for certain other movements who happen to think the Chair of Peter is vacant, deny a Council, or deny the validity of entire Masses/Rites within the Church.

It’s a good program, it does good things. I’ve seen the fruits of our labour, and I hope and pray the seeds we continue to plant bear more fruit.

Of course, a bunch of people on this board thinks I’m a heretic for just attending an OF Mass. Another bunch probably thinks I’m a heretic for playing percussion at Church. A few more because of my involvement in Life Teen. So what do I know about these things (am I right?).

I’d write more, but I need to go to the catechist thing at my Life Teen Church. Because contrary to what some people on this board think, we take those things seriously.

 

[Malleus_01]

I don’t really know what to think of it. I hate the loud, raucous music they have at the Mass, and dislike the way they pray the Creed. I know the priest who started it was excommunicated, too.

What do you guys think of it?
Is it really keeping teens at church?

Malleus: About the same as the Clown Mass.

 

[Erin_Anne]

First, several people who has posted fierce objections to the Life Teen Mass in general are the same people who dislike the OF in general, to the point of borderline (if not outright) heresy. It stands to reason these people would of course have an issue with the Life Teen mass, as they take beef with any Mass that isn’t TLM. These responses were expected and will subsequently won’t be responded to because the main issue with these people isn’t the Life Teen Mass, but rather the idea of the OF as a whole (and there’s other threads about that)

Not true. I’m only in my early 30s - I grew up with the Novus Ordo, and I’ve been to many that I believed were just as beautiful as the TLM. With that said, I still have a problem with LifeTeen Masses because I find them irreverent.

E.A.

 

[Catholicdude92]

Melchior_ I don’t have a problem with the Novus Ordo. I believe it is valid. I don’t like how people do it. I don’t like the Lifeteen mass. I don’t call you are heretic for what you do. Again people, I am not from a really super traditionalist family. I’ve been to what…2 Latin masses in my whole life. I do see problems with the current situation. My Parents grew up with the crazy liberal theology. I’ve grown up with it. Our family has become more Orthodox not because it was forced on us, but because we sought it out.

Why can’t we make our N.O. beautiful? And why the heck to people scorn those who prefer latin mass? In my experience they are just as bad… normally worse than those who dislike the N.O. Not always, but they are more likely to brush aside church teaching. (and yes I have gone through this disaster they call RE) Thank goodness our younger priest are more Orthodox. When will this current generation (not including the Holy Father of course, may God keep him strong) die off in influence?

“Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around.”

“Men invent new ideals because they dare not attempt old ideals. They look forward with enthusiasm, because they are afraid to look back.”

-G. K. Chesterton.

maybe we can find the solution? I wish the Lifeteen bandwagon would quite deying there is a problem whew…end rant.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

I don’t really know what to think of it. I hate the loud, raucous music they have at the Mass, and dislike the way they pray the Creed. I know the priest who started it was excommunicated, too.

What do you guys think of it?
Is it really keeping teens at church?

I don’t know anything about it.

My son, who will be 19 on the Feast of All Saints doesn’t know anything about it. He is the assistant sacristan for our parish which involves a lot of responsibility as well as knowledge of the Traditional Latin Mass. He knows all this stuff about albs, and robes, and Latin, and different liturgical things that keep him pretty occupied while we are at the church. It is his intention to be in his first year of seminary on his next birthday, studying for the priesthood. There seems to be good camaraderie in the sacristy among the boys of our parish where the Old Mass is said exclusively. The girls of the parish seem involved in girl stuff. Good girl stuff. Altar Society. There is some organization…Eucharistic Crusade. I don’t know to what age this lasts, but the girls at our parish are the sweetest young things. I love our teenagers. The boys can be irritating. On the Vigil, the altar boys were messing around with those little candles for the congregation, using them like swords and claws and stuff like that and I had to jump on them a little. But that is about the worst thing that has ever happened.We never tried this Life Teen. I bet they wouldn’t put up with “candle claws” either, huh? I am sure Dad wants to justify depriving my son of this experience of Life Teen. Anyway, I haven’t taken the time to learn about it.

For those of us who have not been familiarized with Life Teen spirituality and sanctity, it seems like there are still older ways, that also bear good fruit, to help young people to discern a vocation. Surely there is still something to be said for reverence, quiet, and contemplation? My son’s decision for seminary occurred at an Ignatian retreat where silence was imposed for a week with the sole exception being to make your general confession and consultations with one of the priests holding the retreat. Does Life Teen conduct silent Ignatian retreats too?

Presumably, Life Teen brings similar fruitful results in calls to the priesthood, religious life, and the convent. How else could the movement gain momentum? But the old ways seem to be very powerful too. Hopefully those vocations and eventual priestly and religious callings which are springing from Life Teen won’t clash with those that are aroused and discerned in more traditional ways.

Rory

 

[BettyM]

My experience with LifeTeen mass was okay. The music was kind of loud but mostly what we didn’t like was changing the words at the end of the Mass, which could be picky, I guess and I didn’t like the whole parish holding hands, moving to the center of the isle and praying the Our Father. Something the priest told us that is what have to do at that mass. Some people like that, I don’t.

It seems there weren’t very many teens there. I was surprised to see so many elderly people. It also reminded me of the entertainment church services you find in modern evangelical churches.

LifeTeen is a good program otherwise.

 

[DorianGregorian]

You mean the garbage like this?

youtube.com/watch?v=dNcrhMiXQwI

 

[Erin_Anne]

You mean the garbage like this?

youtube.com/watch?v=dNcrhMiXQwI

faints

 

[Victorious]

Second, Dale Fushek is a man who needs prayer and help, that much is obvious. That the founder turning out to be a heretic (among other things) is troubling, but that certainly doesn’t mean everything the man did in his life was a mistake. We have Church Fathers who fell into heresy, but their early writings are still valid. We also have St Jerome, whose legendary “attitude” could qualify him as being the Patron Saint of Jack ----s…but he’s a Saint and did a lot of great things.

Fushek screwed up, and he did so in a spectacular fashion. That doesn’t mean the Life Teen organization itself is bad, however. It’s officially sanctioned by the Vatican, has been for some time, and continues to be. All resources and materials are vetted through the appropriate channels, and the organization remains loyal to Rome. That’s better than I can say for certain other movements who happen to think the Chair of Peter is vacant, deny a Council, or deny the validity of entire Masses/Rites within the Church.

Should we give the Legion of Christ the same pass? I mean, true, Fr. Maciel molested seminarians, fathered illegitimate children, and apparently engaged in sharp practice with Legion funds…but the Legion of Christ – which was approved by the Vatican – is still okay, isn’t it?

Look: if a bottle contains 9 parts fine wine to one part cyanide, should you drink it? After all, the majority of it is good stuff…

Incidentally, the other day at Mass, a very seventies-style, non-“traditional” priest was heard to say the following during his homily in reference to the liturgy:

The more entertainment you need, the less faith you have.

 

[Joe_5859]

I haven’t read through all the responses, but I will chime in nonetheless.

I don’t think that we can comment on “Life Teen Mass” as though they are all identical. I think it’s reverence (or lack thereof) depends more on the priest and the parish than on being a “Life Teen Mass”.

Personally, I think I was at maybe one Life Teen Mass back in high school (15 years ago…man, I’m getting old… ). I remember being slightly weirded out by having drums at Mass. I think the Mass was in some sort of hall rather than a Church, too. I had no concept of the whole phenomenon at the time, so the details are fuzzy.

In any event, I think there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. It’s good to get the teens involved, but we also need to be careful about turning such things into entities unto themselves. Recall what happened with the Neocatechumenal Way. We want to avoid creating the mentality of a church within the Church (or a parish within the parish). We want people to be involved, but part of that is also leading them into deeper involvement with parish life (and indeed the larger Church).

As for the music, I think it also depends. I have been to Masses where drums and guitars (and bass and flutes and violins and saxaphones, etc., etc.) have been used quite reverently. But then, I have also been to Masses where they definitely were not. Personally, I don’t care for pop/rock music at Mass (and this from a guy who pretty much exclusively listens to hard rock/heavy metal on his own time). But I’m not willing to condemn it, provided it is done the right way.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I don’t really know what to think of it. I hate the loud, raucous music they have at the Mass, and dislike the way they pray the Creed. I know the priest who started it was excommunicated, too.

What do you guys think of it?
Is it really keeping teens at church?

I dont care for it. it is an invention. it was never there before.
i just dont know how this is going to be good for them. what are they learning in these Masses? the progressives are teaching our children to forget our past.

 

[ljubim]

VERY negative.

Lol, only adults rail about the importance of making Mass “relevant” for youth and keeping them “interested.”

Actually, with all our high tech handhelds, we have access to far better entertainment than Mass… don’t you dare reduce the Mass to fall under that category, because it’s my guarantee that it will NOT be up to our standards of entertainment.

We have enough noise in our stressful lives already! Stop taking away our last moment of silence with God! He speaks to us in the silence - he likes contradictions like that . Your bass booming across our altars will send me straight for the door in search of a Mass that’s irreverence won’t drive me to tears for the way you treat Our Lord.

 

[michaeldaniels]

That is an abomination

You mean the garbage like this?

youtube.com/watch?v=dNcrhMiXQwI

 

[michaeldaniels]

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times…what is wrong with being Catholic the way they were up till 1962? Everything like Life Teen is illrelevant and an invention…Plenty of teens went to mass throughout the ages and there was only one option, the TLM…I am sorry, I take that back…they did have an option, High or Low Mass…but nothing like the abominations we see today in modern life teen Masses

 

[kmuestwin]

I’m 20 and I don’t really understand the point of teen masses. Before there was a teen mass, teenagers that wanted to be in the catholic church were there whether it was “fun” or not. I personally don’t enjoy the contemporary music but I have a good friend who really enjoys it. Her home diocese sounds more involved in the charismatic movement than mine. I guess it’s all about what you come to church looking for.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Dale Fushek, the (then) priest founder of Life Teen, is a train wreck. He was not only excommunicated; in January of this year, Pope Benedict – who supposedly is involved in covering up priest sex abuse – dismissed him from the clerical state after an investigation into sex abuse allegations against him (for which he has been charged with several misdemeanor offenses which I believe are still pending). Before this, he was excommunicated because he was actively participating in ministry despite having been suspended, and despite having been ordered to cease and desist by his bishop, and because he was also holding non-denominational services with another suspended priest. Five years ago, Fushek, the lay co-founder of Life Teen, and another priest were all sued by a man who alleged that the three sexually assaulted him in 1985 at Fushek’s parish. The diocese settled the suit for $100,000.00. (Since 1985, the other priest had served ten years for a sex crime to which he had pled no contest.) Nor was this the first sex-based settlement his diocese had paid out on account of allegations against Fushek: ten years before, the diocese paid out $45,000.00 to settle a sexual harassment claim filed by a former parish employee.

It is true that Life Teen has distanced itself from Dale Fushek and claims to be loyal to the magisterium (though this loyalty is not readily apparent in its liturgies). But why red flags are not raised by the fact that Life Teen is the fruit of the labors of a couple of child molesters is beyond me.

this is one more reason why we should not allow such a Mass in the Church. this priest is involved in rackoning the Church also. and what is the best way to do it but come up with a new type of Mass. especially by targeting our young people.
no wonder why we have so many sex abuse in teh Church. these sex ofenders targets children and do as they please to attract them. these sex ofenders are not concerned with the Church, they are concerned in getting what they want.

Out with the wolves.
youtube.com/watch?v=Q_VCPJ5HbOM

 

[SSTeacher]

I hate the loud, raucous music they have at the Mass, and dislike the way they pray the Creed. I know the priest who started it was excommunicated, too.

At our church, I often need to plug my ears. The music is insanely loud. I see people wincing when it gets really loud.

Totally bad. The Mass should be God-centered not man-centered. The Mass doesn’t and shouldn’t be changed or focused on “teens.”

I’ll have nothing to do with it. There is nothing Univeral about it. It just sends me home angry. Not good for my soul.

Sacrilege.

In my really staunch Traditionalist opinion, I very much dislike it.

It’s nearly impossible to pray with all the noise.

I dont care for it. it is an invention. it was never there before.
i just dont know how this is going to be good for them. what are they learning in these Masses? the progressives are teaching our children to forget our past.

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times…what is wrong with being Catholic the way they were up till 1962? Everything like Life Teen is illrelevant and an invention…Plenty of teens went to mass throughout the ages and there was only one option, the TLM…I am sorry, I take that back…they did have an option, High or Low Mass…but nothing like the abominations we see today in modern life teen Masses

I hope a Non–Catholic comment on this thread won’t be seen as intrusive.

At the end of 2005 I left the Evangelical church of which I’d been a member for several years because the worship had turned into a concert. I initially looked for another church within the same denomination but when I realized that the whole denomination was headed in same direction of relevance over reverence I changed denominations. The same thing began to happen there so I went searching again and eventually I discovered Orthodoxy and the ethereal beauty of the Divine Liturgy. Then I became an Orthodox Christian – lex orandi, lex credendi.

One of the things of which I’m acutely aware and which I haven’t seen mentioned yet on this thread is the pain that is caused to those in churches who are usually labeled as “conservatives” or “traditionalists.” These are the people who are denied the peaceful serenity of closeness with God during corporate worship because of the changes brought about by those usually labeled “progressives." In my case, I was a SOLO Scriptura advocate so the doctrinal issues were in my own hands. Nevertheless, as well as being an adult Sunday school teacher I’d also been asked to assist with teaching children and when I left I missed those children very much. In fact, on the first Sunday morning my wife and I went looking for another church, I was so overcome with sadness that I wept.

How have you Catholic conservatives and traditionalists coped with the pain and sadness caused to you by the liturgical innovations of the post–conciliar Catholic Church such as the Life Teen Mass?

Curiously,
Mick
:sad_bye: