What will make more younger people come to mass?

[agapewolf]

So what’s my point? While I think the so called life-teen masses might draw in young people, I don’t think we should have such masses. I think they generally have a negative effect on the people. I would much more prefer good education and thus making sure that by the time a child grows up, they will understand all about mass, the importance of it and the reason why masses are not a social gathering of people to generally have a good time (well, they should have a good time but for an entirely different reason).

50 years ago we didn’t need life-teen masses, why do we need them now?

50 years ago, there wasn’t as much of a relativistic culture. 50 years ago, parents taught their children about faith and brought them to Mass. Teens are not going to mass. Families are not going. (of course there are some, but the majority are missing)

or did they? How do you know you didn’t need them? What if you did have them? How many more vocations would we have? How many more faithful families might we have? I don’t know…just a thought.

What will make more younger people come to Mass?

How about their parents?

.

THeir parents aren’t going either. I have seen youth Masses bring teens back who then brought the rest of their families/parents back.

I’ve been to LIFE Masses and LIFE nights. . However, the teachings are generally very weak, which makes them just like every other teaching being done today in the Church.

I’m sorry that is your experience. It definately is not mine, nor the way Lifeteen trains its youth ministers to be. They push orthodoxy, obedience, and substantial teaching. The lifeteens in my area (and I know in AZ and many other areas) teach strong catechesis.

 

[po18guy]

what are some suggestions to how we can make the Mass more relevent to this younger generation? what can we do to encourage youger people to be more engaged and envolved in the Mass?

By this point, it may be too late until later in their lives. A strong catechesis while they are growing is the key. If they have been taught well, and have fulfilled their weekly obligation, it might be rebellion or simple disinterest. Other church activities may be used to attract them back. We have heard and seen horror stories about how the mass has been changed to make it more “current”. Send them to a mega-church f that is what they need.

But, we know that Christ is what they need. He is found in the mass. We teach to child to be attracted to mass. We must not change mass to attract the child.

Christ’s peace be with all of you.

 

[patches]

But, we know that Christ is what they need. He is found in the mass. We teach to child to be attracted to mass. We must not change mass to attract the child.

So true. There’s a bit too much “make it about us, the people of God celebrating ourselves” that seeks to shrink the great mysteries to match our superficial expectations, rather than His eternal ones.

 

[Soldier4Christ]

A simple invitation can work wonders. Many people in their late teens or early twenties are a little scared, for one reason or another. If they had poor catechesis and don’t understand everything about the Mass, they may not feel comfortable going alone, even though they know it’s important. Even those familiar with the Mass may not want to go alone. But there are a lot of people in my age group (I’m 23) who are searching for the truth, who know there is more to life than what they see in our secular society, and they just need a gentle pull.

 

[patches]

A simple invitation can work wonders. Many people in their late teens or early twenties are a little scared, for one reason or another. If they had poor catechesis and don’t understand everything about the Mass, they may not feel comfortable going alone, even though they know it’s important. Even those familiar with the Mass may not want to go alone. But there are a lot of people in my age group (I’m 23) who are searching for the truth, who know there is more to life than what they see in our secular society, and they just need a gentle pull.

These are very good observations. In many areas, there have been several decades of very poor, confused, and even sometimes non-existent catechesis. I am saddened to think of how many of my (mid 1970’s) classmates have left the church without ever understanding what they were walking away from. Much of this was due to the very shaky approaches to teaching the faith that were taken while the church adjusted to the Council, and society’s lurch toward moral relativism in the 60’s. Too much of what many of us learned about the church, we had to pretty much get on our own, and sometimes after many years of struggle, and even time away from the practice of the faith. It is lamentable that we were exposed to so few of the riches that I now am thanking God for daily. As you suggested, we must encourage others to “taste and see” what God really has waiting for them, and find ways to fill in the gaps in our knowlege of Christ and His Church.

 

[jpjd]

Hmm lets c… im turning 20 soon and i used to go to mass but i stopped last year although i do consider myself more catholic then any other teen i know. I went to a catholic highschool and i didnt know anyone who actually followed the faith.

1. I dont think todays teens want to be told to remain celebate untill marriage, i think that would spoil a saturday night for most.
2. its not “cool” to be religious anymore. i remember reading the bible story about the pharrisees who would pray in the streets and fast in public, they were like the “cool” people of their day, total opposite now days. Its now cool to build up muscle at the gym and flex those muscles at a night club while either highly intoxicated or on drugs.
   Todays youth only look out for number 1.And the idea that you guys are going to get a growth in teens is laughable.
   Sorry to sound pessimistic but any topic regarding the downfall of teens in mass these days makes me angry.

I find it interesting that here you have someone who is in the age group we are discussing, and he is telling us exactly what the problem is…and no one has responded to him.

So, I suggest the first order of business is to LISTEN to what these kids/young adults have to say.

The next order of business is to address what THEY say is the problem.

I would suggest that the solution is not to adjust the Mass to the level of pop cullture because this ultimate act of worshiping of God will always be valued if it is properly understood (and that is where catechesis comes in). The solution is in drawing the kids into the parish life. Have vibrant social and catechetical activities. Make the parish activities attractive enough that they want it to be a part of their lives; make Catholicism be a central thread of the fabric of their lives…and without that thread their life has a hole in it.

Discuss why remaining celibate until marriage is the goal, and why it is a better experience for them then the momentary pleasure of a fling.

Discuss how to have a deep faith without being seen as “uncool” or a “Jesus Freak” or whatever it is they’re afraid of.

The issues of teens are perfect for lively discussion and providing proper faith formation.

These kids are looking for something – let’s make sure they find it in the Church, where it really is but they just don’t know it yet.

 

[mercygate]

Hmm lets c… im turning 20 soon and i used to go to mass but i stopped last year although i do consider myself more catholic then any other teen i know. I went to a catholic highschool and i didnt know anyone who actually followed the faith.

1. I dont think todays teens want to be told to remain celebate untill marriage, i think that would spoil a saturday night for most.

I am sure you are right. Do you see this as a problem with the Church or with people who think chastity is no longer important?

1. its not “cool” to be religious anymore. i remember reading the bible story about the pharrisees who would pray in the streets and fast in public, they were like the “cool” people of their day, total opposite now days. Its now cool to build up muscle at the gym and flex those muscles at a night club while either highly intoxicated or on drugs.

Really?

Todays youth only look out for number 1.And the idea that you guys are going to get a growth in teens is laughable.

I work with the young people in my parish and I teach CCD. I find them remarkably responsive to heavy-duty Christianity. They are insulted by the glibness of modern culture, and they are disillusioned with their parents’ generation: divorced, remarried, messed up. But these are kids already COMING to Church; they’re not out there on the street.

Sorry to sound pessimistic but any topic regarding the downfall of teens in mass these days makes me angry.

Are you saying that the Church should stop teaching all that old fashioned stuff about chastity and selflessness in order to attract young people?

 

[agapewolf]

The solution is in drawing the kids into the parish life. Have vibrant social and catechetical activities. Make the parish activities attractive enough that they want it to be a part of their lives; make Catholicism be a central thread of the fabric of their lives…and without that thread their life has a hole in it.

Discuss why remaining celibate until marriage is the goal, and why it is a better experience for them then the momentary pleasure of a fling.

Discuss how to have a deep faith without being seen as “uncool” or a “Jesus Freak” or whatever it is they’re afraid of.

The issues of teens are perfect for lively discussion and providing proper faith formation.

These kids are looking for something – let’s make sure they find it in the Church, where it really is but they just don’t know it yet.

Who are you supposed to discuss it with when no one shows up? This is exactly the problem that Lifeteen has faced…head on. They go into the schools to meet the teens where they are.

Mother Theresa told the founder of LIFETEEN to bring the teens to the Eucharist. So that is what they are doing. Get them to Mass. Unleash the power of the sacraments on them. If they don’t see relevance in the way we practice our faith (Mass-source and summit), then why would they want to come to a discussion on chastity?
The concept/culture of a youth mass is one that is approved and encouraged by the vatican. Its amazing here that so many people think that its bad. As I’ve posted before. … it has brought the teens back to mass, and then they have brought their parents back to mass.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Let me tell you a short story-
I am a Secondary Education English major, and we are having to learn and study the initiative Reading Next, because reading and comprehension are not being taught past 5th grade. The mentality is “they [the kids] already know how to read”, when in reality- they can see words on a page, but there is no comprehension.

It’s the same problem in the Church. We “release” the kids after confirmation, and there is no pull to make sure our “adult Catholics” keep coming back. My diocese introduced “Why Catholic?” as a catechism program. I have not attended, but perhaps this is the answer. We need to establish catechism classes past Confirmation. This is where programs like LIFETeen or LIFE need to be. The Mass itself should not be changed. The programs can be hip, and must be throughly orthodox.

There needs to be a complete overhaul in the whole “teaching catechism” department. We all hear/experience teachers who don’t fully know Church doctrine, teach heresy, etc…
WE need to step up.
In the immortal words of my Bishop “SPEAK UP!!!”

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

these abuses are not characteristic of LIfeteen. We have a dozen threads discussing Lifeteen, the program and the Mass, so why not keep the discussion over there.

I’m wasn’t trying to imply that. I know that most life-teen masses aren’t like that (thought you would be suprised that similar things happen). My point was that while these masses may draw people into going every sunday they seem to forget our tradition and the fact that mass aren’t about entertainment. I don’t know, but it seems that a lot of semi-protestant Catholics are to be found in these masses.

50 years ago, there wasn’t as much of a relativistic culture. 50 years ago, parents taught their children about faith and brought them to Mass. Teens are not going to mass. Families are not going. (of course there are some, but the majority are missing)

You might be correct. Perhaps life-teen masses are indeed something like a necessary evil. I don’t know. It’s one of the things that I haven’t decided yet.

 

[agapewolf]

You might be correct. Perhaps life-teen masses are indeed something like a necessary evil. I don’t know. It’s one of the things that I haven’t decided yet.

a necessary EVIL? things YOU haven’t decided yet?

I’m sorry, its not up to you. The vatican has approved and ENCOURAGED youth Masses. They are not evil, they are an effective way to bring people back to mass.

 

[feargalmac]

My 15 year old daughter came out from Mass one Sunday and said she wished the priest would challenge us and tell how to be good and not just that God loves us, “no matter what”. The Gospel that day was one of the more uncomfortable ones, but our PP managed as usual to twist it to suit has own thinking (God wants us just to do our best and have fun:banghead: ).
We spoke later in the day and she said she would have more respect for the church if it reminded her to be a better person rather than the feelgood homilies we get each Sunday.
Young people relish a challenge. They want a church that lives the Gospel and spells out, no holds barred, the message of our Lord. They know instinctively when someone truly believes the Churches teaching and will respect that person and be drawn to him.
We need to pray more for our priests as they are the face of the Church. If they truly believe in the Eucharist as the true Real Presence and they can convey that belief, then the youth will come.

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

a necessary EVIL? things YOU haven’t decided yet?

I’m sorry, its not up to you. The vatican has approved and ENCOURAGED youth Masses. They are not evil, they are an effective way to bring people back to mass.

When I say evil I don’t mean evil (as satanic). It’s an expression. What I mean is that I’m not totally convinced that it was a good decision to allow these masses (and the same applies to charismatic masses). Time will tell…

…but what I’m really afraid that the existence of life-teen masses just tends to create masses such are these:
cathcon.blogspot.com/2007/08/mickey-mouse-mass.html
cathcon.blogspot.com/2007/08/ooh-la-la.html
cathcon.blogspot.com/2007/08/after-60-years-of-catholic-youth.html

---

Now, has anything about these kind of masses came out of Vatican in recent years? Especially from our currecnt Holy Father? I would like to read what he has to say on this topic.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I think the Mass needs to be done in all of it’s Mysterious and Majestic Glory. Have a P&W time before the Mass, do the rosary, and have 5-10 minutes of sacred silence before the Mass. Use the Latin responses, they are gorgeous and filled with the Majesty due to Our Lord.
Make sure that there is regular Eucharistic Adoration occurring.

I am an ed major- and NO ONE is giving credit to the intelligence of teenages. Everything is dumbed down, so they can “understand” and “participate” instead of making the students work hard to be better.

Don’t assume that the teens are stupid, don’t care, or need to be pandered to. Don’t dumb it down. Give it hard, give it straight, and state the Truth that the Church teaches.

I am hearing more and more that LifeTeen is not challenging the faith of our Teens. They are leaving, in droves, for other Churches. I have two teenaged friends who left the Church completely, because LT, and the Church, were not challenging their faith. They felt, as I stated before, intellectually insulted and spiritually unfulfilled. There are college aged friends of mine who abandoned LT because they felt insulted by the program and the “dumbed down curriculum” (direct quote)

MAKE SURE you are challenging their faith. Make them go search on their own, and make them understand the WHY and the HOW.

 

[Katie1723]

To answer the OP’s question…PARENTS. Like mine did when I was younger.
Kathy

 

[Saint_Gemma]

I am a teenager, and I like TLMs.

 

[Saint_Gemma]

How about pandering to them and hiding the Mass behind a distorted and outdated version of “youth culture” complete with laid-back, I’m-one-of-you “with it” priests.

Or maybe not.

I agree.

 

[Saint_Gemma]

I think the Mass needs to be done in all of it’s Mysterious and Majestic Glory. Have a P&W time before the Mass, do the rosary, and have 5-10 minutes of sacred silence before the Mass. Use the Latin responses, they are gorgeous and filled with the Majesty due to Our Lord.
Make sure that there is regular Eucharistic Adoration occurring.

I am an ed major- and NO ONE is giving credit to the intelligence of teenages. Everything is dumbed down, so they can “understand” and “participate” instead of making the students work hard to be better.

Don’t assume that the teens are stupid, don’t care, or need to be pandered to. Don’t dumb it down. Give it hard, give it straight, and state the Truth that the Church teaches.

I am hearing more and more that LifeTeen is not challenging the faith of our Teens. They are leaving, in droves, for other Churches. I have two teenaged friends who left the Church completely, because LT, and the Church, were not challenging their faith. They felt, as I stated before, intellectually insulted and spiritually unfulfilled. There are college aged friends of mine who abandoned LT because they felt insulted by the program and the “dumbed down curriculum” (direct quote)

MAKE SURE you are challenging their faith. Make them go search on their own, and make them understand the WHY and the HOW.

 

[highlander]

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

Being young myself,(though I don’t speak for all young people), I was first attracted to the Catholic Church by seeing and hearing all of its “outdated” and “passe” style of worship. Between the Latin Church music (like Gregorian Chant or Rennaisance Polyphony) and the"contemptuary" services all too many protestant churches offer, there is no comparison. Also, my favorite architecture and art are “Gothic” (no, not the black fingernails type), and most protestant churches(and an increasing # of Catholic churches ) have modern “architecture” that has no order to it, whatsoever. In short, I would like to “turn back the clock” a few centuries with regard to Church worship.

 

[anniemart]

At the risk of insulting some “for” Life Teen" supporters here, I do want to share that I haven’t heard more good coming from these groups versus your traditional youth groups. I think it’s great that a priest wants to gear a mass at the teen group but as my 16 year old put it just the other day after attending a teen mass for the first time “I thought I was overdressed; there were more girls in daisy dukes than I saw at the beach this summer. The guys were more interested in checking out the girls. I couldn’t concentrate on the mass because there were too many kids gigging.”

My daughter has much reverence for the Lord and I don’t want to believe it is “out of the norm” either. What could I respond to her? I didn’t… I let her consider her own feelings by herself.

What I thought, however, was just how is reverence for the mass going to be strengthened for these teens as they become adults? More importantly, **when **will it strengthen for them…such as in reverence for proper attire? Yes, I do believe there is proper attire for mass. And yes, God does love you naked or dressed. But attire is necessary in public places; including the Church. In some public places proper attire goes beyond daisy dukes and muscle tees; as in the Church.

And no, I am not inviting personal criticism here so please refrain. I do believe that there are well-intentioned adults leading these groups…perhaps I need to attend a few of these masses myself before I form a more solid opinion.

Nonetheless, there is nothing that needs to be added to the mass for our teens. I bend at the knee, never the Lord will bend His knee to me.

There is a protestant place of worship in town that has created a “bar like” atmosphere for their teens…complete with bowls of pretzels and popcorn set up at tables with bar maid service including dimmed lights. The service is projected into the large room via a huge video screen. Is this really what teens are asking for before they agree to worship God?

Since this was my daughter’s first experience, her dad and I have decided to allow her to attend another at her choosing. Secretly, we hope she doesn’t. Just my 2 cents or maybe 3 or 4