What will make more younger people come to mass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 2006144
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
chicago said:
This may be true. (And I actually do tend to respect the sociological work of Fr. Greeley.)

That said, I don’t believe that Catholic Schools, alone, are getting the job done effectively. Indeed, many catholid school students are precisely the ones who end up most lost to the faith, either after they graduate or even while they are still attending those institutions. So, clearly, they are not getting the job done effectively, may be doing something wrong, and often require support systems to reach out to the young people who attend them in order to more effectively involve them in the life of faith.
Click to expand...
I have to agree with FrankLawrence about the need to show Jesus to children. I don’t think the schools are to blame, as you said. I went to Catholic CCD, Catholic high school and Catholic college. The schools catechized me to the hilt. I could answer any question about the Sacraments or the Church. The problem was, it was all “head knowledge”, not “heart knowledge”. I went to Mass just going through the motions out of obedience to my parents, but it never meant anything to me. I just did all the “Catholic stuff” because culturally, that’s what Catholics do. As soon as I was living on my own, I quit going to church a short time after actually registering at a parish. I did not return until I had a “born-again experience” as an adult and actually believed in my heart what I had been taught in my head. I also wish that somebody from my parish would have actually contacted me when I was away. I may have returned sooner. They sent me an envelope packet every month but never bothered to ask why nothing was ever returned in the collection. After my conversion experience, I wanted to return but just did not have the nerve for about a year. I finally did return, after much prayer; but if someone had actually called me, I may have come back sooner.
 
Cat said:
I think this is a great idea for all ages of Christians!

Right after my husband and I became Catholic, our parish had a mission with Father David Knight, who basically explained every part of the Mass, and also described how we “receive Jesus as our Personal Savior–Catholic Style!” His mission was called **Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life. **

Sounds like what several posters have discusses in this thread–knowing Jesus better and understanding the Mass better.

Perhaps someone will contact Father Knight and ask him to come to their parish to give the same mission. I will warn you, he is a bit of a card. Don’t expect solemn and sere!

Once again, I will thank God that I am in the parish I am in. I’ve learned so much and met so many great Christians. There seems to be a real balance in my parish–tradition truly kisses innovation! I would put my parish up for “Best Parish in the World” any time!
Click to expand...
Do you know if Father Knight has written any books?
 
Cat said:
I think this is a great idea for all ages of Christians!

Right after my husband and I became Catholic, our parish had a mission with Father David Knight, who basically explained every part of the Mass, and also described how we “receive Jesus as our Personal Savior–Catholic Style!” His mission was called **Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life. **

Sounds like what several posters have discusses in this thread–knowing Jesus better and understanding the Mass better.

Perhaps someone will contact Father Knight and ask him to come to their parish to give the same mission. I will warn you, he is a bit of a card. Don’t expect solemn and sere!

Once again, I will thank God that I am in the parish I am in. I’ve learned so much and met so many great Christians. There seems to be a real balance in my parish–tradition truly kisses innovation! I would put my parish up for “Best Parish in the World” any time!
Click to expand...
If this is the same Fr. David Knight —I would rather he stay out of my diocese.

womenpriests.org/teaching/mag_con2.asp

womenpriests.org/teaching/knight.asp
 
Youger people come to mass when their parents make them come. Tell the kids it’s a mortal sin to miss it.

Some parents start coming back to mass after they have kids. But we need to feed them. I think we tend to give them too much milk with very little doctrine.

When we are willing to talk about the tough issues that will make some walk away, more will come and stay.
 
Walking_Home said:
If this is the same Fr. David Knight —I would rather he stay out of my diocese.

womenpriests.org/teaching/mag_con2.asp

womenpriests.org/teaching/knight.asp
Click to expand...
This isn’t the thread for this discussion, but I think you should read the article more carefully. Father Knight never says that women should be ordained. He merely says that there is no infallible teaching from the Church on this issue, and he makes it clear that no Catholic can claim that a teaching is infallible when it isn’t.

Our Bishop, Thomas Doran, would never have allowed this priest to give a mission if he was tainted in some way. Only a few months ago, Thomas Doran drove a dissident heretical self-proclaimed Catholic cult OUT OF TOWN by leading a campaign to prevent them from renting a building. While the campaign was waged, he warned Catholics in the diocese to have nothing to do with this cult. Look Bishop Doran up if you doubt his orthodoxy and conservatism: rockforddiocese.org/bishop/

Even if you don’t wish to hear Father Knight speak, there are many other Catholic priests and Catholic lay speakers who could do a fantastic presentation to young and old Catholic Christians on “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” In fact, Pope Benedict XVI comes to mind. He has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus.
 
Cat said:
Father Knight never says that women should be ordained. He merely says that there is no infallible teaching from the Church on this issue, and he makes it clear that no Catholic can claim that a teaching is infallible when it isn’t.
Click to expand...
Our Church has made it clear that women should not be ordained. For a priest to muddy the waters is a warning that this priest is not to be trusted. Keep away from him!
 
4unborn said:
Our Church has made it clear that women should not be ordained. For a priest to muddy the waters is a warning that this priest is not to be trusted. Keep away from him!
Click to expand...
Fine. My point originally was that there are great teachers, both clergy and laity, in the Catholic Church, who can explain Mass parts to young and old, and also speak about the need for personal relationship with Jesus. If you don’t like Father Knight, then find someone else.

This thread is not about Father Knight or any priest or teacher, it’s about attracting young people to the Mass.

(Frankly, I don’t think Father Knight muddied the waters, I think he cleared them up in his article.)
 
Cat said:
Originally Posted by Walking_Home
If this is the same Fr. David Knight —I would rather he stay out of my diocese.

womenpriests.org/teaching/mag_con2.asp

womenpriests.org/teaching/knight.asp

This isn’t the thread for this discussion, but I think you should read the article more carefully. Father Knight never says that women should be ordained. He merely says that there is no infallible teaching from the Church on this issue, and he makes it clear that no Catholic can claim that a teaching is infallible when it isn’t.

Our Bishop, Thomas Doran, would never have allowed this priest to give a mission if he was tainted in some way. Only a few months ago, Thomas Doran drove a dissident heretical self-proclaimed Catholic cult OUT OF TOWN by leading a campaign to prevent them from renting a building. While the campaign was waged, he warned Catholics in the diocese to have nothing to do with this cult. Look Bishop Doran up if you doubt his orthodoxy and conservatism: rockforddiocese.org/bishop/

Even if you don’t wish to hear Father Knight speak, there are many other Catholic priests and Catholic lay speakers who could do a fantastic presentation to young and old Catholic Christians on “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” In fact, Pope Benedict XVI comes to mind. He has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus.
Click to expand...
Quote=Cat
Right after my husband and I became Catholic, our parish had a mission with Father David Knight, who basically explained every part of the Mass, and also described how we “receive Jesus as our Personal Savior–Catholic Style!” His mission was called Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life.

Sounds like what several posters have discusses in this thread–knowing Jesus better and understanding the Mass better.

Perhaps someone will contact Father Knight and ask him to come to their parish to give the same mission. I will warn you, he is a bit of a card. Don’t expect solemn and sere!
You brought Fr. Knight into this discussion–and to top it off–suggested that people invite him to their parish. Do not now try to set up a smoke screen to coverup that Fr. Knight writings form a basis for the heretical notion of women’s ordination
 
In order to stay open this thread is going to require:

a tad more grace and charity
and a return to its topic:
what will make more younger people come to mass?
Click to expand...
Your cooperation is gratefully accepted.
 
anniemart said:
:hmmm: All these posts have led me to want to pose this question in relation to the OP:

Out of every 10 catholic teens, how many do you truly believe have either left the Church or will leave because mass is just not enough for them?

And I wonder aloud to myself; is my teen in danger? is yours?
Click to expand...
I think the biggest danger for the younger generation, speaking as one who left the Church as a teen (don’t worry, I’m back) is the irreverence that is, let’s face it, more common at the Novus Ordo Masses than at the Tridentine. Looking at the behavior of the priest, and the other adults at Mass makes one wonder: how is this different from the church my Baptist friend goes to? my Pentacostal friend? etc. I really don’t believe charismatic is the way to go, even to draw those who don’t come regularly/at all. Reverence needs to be restored and the Tridentine Mass is full of acts of reverence before God. My Pagan sister even sees this…the priest, and the laity, always genuflect before the Tabernacle (whereas in many churches the people-priest included-merely bow, even when physically able to genuflect). Receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, on your knees, silent prayer, Gregorian chant…these all add to the holiness of the Mass and makes the Sacrifice seem more like a sacrifice, so to speak, rather than a communal meal. Well, that’s my opinion, based on my personal experience.
 
barbfromtucson said:
First of all, if your parish does not have a LifeTeen and/or other programs for younger people, you may want to talk to your pastor about starting up one.

Some churches here in Tucson will have one Mass each weekend called a “youth Mass” or something similar. Teenagers will serve as altar servers, lectors, and EMs. The music will be contemporary as well, with many songs coming from Christian artists as well as contemporary Catholic artists like Matt Maher, Chris Muglia, and Tom Booth. The Masses at a couple churches I know of in town have them Sunday evening.

They use songs/music from “Spirit and Song”–so if you may want to talk to your music ministry about incorporating it. spiritandsong.com

If you live near a college campus, find out if they have a Newman Center (or if it’s a Catholic college–their “university ministry”) and find out what activities they do. I’m not a student at Univ of Arizona, but sometimes do attend Mass at their Newman Center and you can check it out at [ newman.web.arizona.edu](http:// newman.web.arizona.edu)

Word of warning, though…some of the more conservative/traditional Catholics on this site will probably not encourage any of the above or aspects of what I said. However, the majority of young people, in my opinion, would never go to a traditional Latin Mass or anything that’s too ‘conservative’–especially in the ‘initial’ stages. You have to meet teenagers and young adults at their level, and bring them in through that route! I know that because I grew up in a ‘conservative’ parish, and when I went to college, if it wasn’t for the masses being geared toward my age group, I wouldn’t have continued going to Mass–so I’m speaking based on my own experience!

I have grown to appreciate the more ‘traditional’ aspects of our faith, but I don’t think I’d be as far along now if it wasn’t for going to these "youth masses’ during college.

God Bless and good luck,

Barbara
Click to expand...
Bad idea. Life Teen is not a good organization. I was apart of Life Teen in high school and it really was not effective because it changes the Mass to fit the kids needs, but for whatever reason, the main reason we go to Mass, to give praise to God and to show our love to our Redeemer, the kids turned it into a social event and it wasn’t conducive to prayer and there was no reverence. When I went to college, I was pleased to find a parish where the main focus is on Jesus during Mass, where reverence is observed, which makes it very conducive to prayer. Everytime I go back home, if I were to go to the Life Teen Mass, I would not be able to concentrate on what was most important.

What would I suggest, teach the kids about the Mass and why we go. Teach them about Jesus’ triumph over sin and how He came to save us. If you can win the kids over that way, they should come to love the Mass in all its beauty.
 
lak611 said:
I have to agree with FrankLawrence about the need to show Jesus to children. I don’t think the schools are to blame, as you said. I went to Catholic CCD, Catholic high school and Catholic college. The schools catechized me to the hilt. I could answer any question about the Sacraments or the Church. The problem was, it was all “head knowledge”, not “heart knowledge”. I went to Mass just going through the motions out of obedience to my parents, but it never meant anything to me. I just did all the “Catholic stuff” because culturally, that’s what Catholics do. As soon as I was living on my own, I quit going to church a short time after actually registering at a parish. I did not return until I had a “born-again experience” as an adult and actually believed in my heart what I had been taught in my head. I also wish that somebody from my parish would have actually contacted me when I was away. I may have returned sooner. They sent me an envelope packet every month but never bothered to ask why nothing was ever returned in the collection. After my conversion experience, I wanted to return but just did not have the nerve for about a year. I finally did return, after much prayer; but if someone had actually called me, I may have come back sooner.
Click to expand...
Well, this is part of what I am getting at. The Catholic schools can fail in one of two ways. They can either focus on things how you described and fail to draw young people into that more intimate, personal relationship with Christ which will be meaningful to their lives enough that they WANT to continue practicing their faith. Or, conversely, they can get so toucy feely with nothing solid whatsoever that when times get tough or kids get a little older and start asking unanswered questions they just drop off. Both are problems which the schools need to address if we want to get any further than just providing excellent secular education in a environment of “values” (which, honestly, is all that most parents are really looking for, anyway) and actually evangelize young people to the point that they don’t just go through school, get their sacraments, then drop out of the faith once they finish 8th or 12th or whatever grade. Given, all the responsibility can not be placed upon the schools, alone. But if you saw that such a significant percentage of your students were not continuing to progress past the time spent when they were “forced” to do certain things, would this not call you to reconsider your methods and effectiveness in hopes of discovering where the weaknesses are so strengthening in faith could occur? It just seems insane, then, that so many Catholic schools appear ill adept at honestly identifying the crisis and responding to it in kind.
 
I am new to the forum here. I found you here because I was searching the net for more objective information re: Fr. David Knight because I heard him speak a few years ago and was appalled at what I heard! We just moved here to Casper, WY and I was shocked to hear that he is to come here in December. :eek: He is a very dynamic. charismatic and beguiling speaker who could convince you that Judas walked on water, but he has a definite hidden agenda there that promotes false hopes (women’s ordination, married clergy, lay run and operated parishes where the priest is just the ‘presider’, etc.) dissent, apathy and disobedience to the teachings of the Magisterium. He taught us that the Eucharistic Fast was not a rule but ONLY a ‘suggestion’ to greater enhance spiritually the reception of Holy Communion. 😦 He uses situation ethics to support his premises (examples of false compassion) . Read: Ad Tuendam Fidem Do any of you have any concrete information regarding the ‘orthodoxy’ of his ‘teachings’? I’m surprised that he has gone this long unchecked.

**Back to topic: ** Young people need REAL SPIRITUAL FOOD, not a watered down version of the Catholic Faith. They need positive challenges, a personal relationship with Christ and the Saints and the TRUTH about what a sin is and how it affects the soul and that personal relationship. They are looking for love and the true meaning of their life in today’s unsettled world.
 
as a teen myself (15), pretty much, i think proper education beforehand will make young people come to mass. basically, youth ministries that teach the faith in its entirety (not watered down, but HARDCORE!) and congresses, rallies, and other events that will spark a deeper love for the mass. For example, Alliance of the Holy Family International (Group of Religious Orders) help young people in Australia, Philippines, and the United States, through their ADOREs and retreats, to have a deeper devotion to the Eucharist and Mary which will make young people want to go to mass.
 
EXACTLY!!! Right on! 😃 Good education is KEY! You can’t water down the faith with Feel Good Platitudes. We need to love the faith enough to die for it, if we had to, and that is what I think the young people are looking for. It needs to come from the PULPIT by priests willing to be leaders and good shepherds!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top