We have Life Teen at our parish, we’ve had it for some time. The program offers many services to the community and the parish, and assists the Knights, CWL, and other groups with their events. I know this because I’ve been volunteering with Life Teen during that time.
We do have a Life Teen Mass. And at the Life Teen Mass, we do have contemporary music. An acoustic guitar, a keyboard, a drum kit, singers. At the Mass they make a concentrated effort to ensure that the music remains reverent and keep the focus on the Eucharistic Celebration. They read the readings and gospel ahead of time and make sure the music selected fits the readings. When they pray before Mass with themselves, they ask Saint Cecillia for intercession. They ask that God works through them and use their gifts accordingly. There is no hubris involved, no theatrics. Just talented young musicians wanting to praise the Lord, celebrate the Eucharist, and help others do the same. I know this because I’ve been playing percussion with them for six and a half years.
Sacramental Prperation is key, and getting the teens ready to go to their schools to defend their faith from attacks from others is crtical. The Catholic School system in Ontario is failing to provide them with what they need, so it’s up to us to do what needs to be done. They have questions, a large appetite to learn more about their faith, their Church. I know this because not only do I play the drums, but I am also the Catechist for our teens who want to receive the Sacraments if they haven’t received them yet. Last year one teen hit the Grand Slam (Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and later on Reconciliation). After prayer and discernment he felt called to go on NET, so now he is traveling coast to coast in Canada, doing what he can to bring teens closer to Christ. This year two young women are being confirmed. And during that time, other teens came to not only show their support; but to learn more about their faith. To learn more about the Church, Her Sacraments. At Life Nights they want more, and through the Grace of God we try what we can to provide that.
Someone earlier mentioned it falls on the leaders, and that couldn’t be more true. My seven years with Life Teen have not been for naught. I have grown in my faith, I have seen others grow in their faith. I have seen people “move mountains”, I have seen the great things it can do. I find it disheartening that many here have been robbed of joy due to poor experiences with Life Teen and Contemporary Music. I find it disheartening that many here don’t see the good that can come from these things.
My wife, ironically, teaches Sacred Music at a classical academy. She sees nothing wrong with us doing what we do. Her one complaint is that when she first heard us was that our musical execution needed some work (ie; skill). That of course, gets better with time, practice, and God’s blessing. She understands though that there’s “different strokes for different folks”. For some, Sacred Music is what they need to be drawn into the Mass. For others, more contemporary. For my wife, classically trained musician who teaches Sacred Music…she prefers NO music at Mass, because she can tell whenever a mistake happens with music and it makes her cringe. Takes away from her Mass, so we often go togetehr to a Mass that has minimal music.
Finally, I do want to mention one other thing. A cross I bear is that I suffer from chronic pain and ADHD. For me, minutes seem like hours. Hours feel like days. Time stands still for me quite often, and the chronic pain does not help. I love the Mass, the Bible, the Sacraments…but I can’t sit still. I zone out, I blank out. I cannot focus. When I pray and meditate it goes all over the place. While in a group setting and there is prayer involved…it’s difficult. While playing drums, it is at that moment I truly feel I am prayer to the Lord without abandon, without hesitation. No shaking, no distractions. Just me, Jesus, and the drums. I pray and talk to him then, and it feels like all the crosses I bear are lifted. The only other times those happen are;
- Immediately after receiving the Body of Christ.
- Immediately after Reconciliation.
- Drums during Mass.
They bring me joy and closer to Christ in a way I cannot describe. The way I did above does not do justice. During Mass the music could have the same impact, and to take that away would be a disservice.
In closing, to those who oppose Contemporary Worship Music done with reverence; I respect your opinions, but I disagree. If reverence is there and if the music pertains to the readings, then it has a place. If the musicians make sure it is about the Lord and not about themselves, then it has a place.
To the OP, you have nothing to fear from Life Teen if the leadership is excellent and on fire for the Lord.
Now if you excuse me, I have to prepare materials to teach some Candidates about Reconciliation later this week. This after they were at our Life Teen Mass this evening, along with their father who does not go to Church.
God bless you all.
If thru Christ LT is allowed by Church leaders, I’m just curious what gives traditional lay persons the right to denounce it? Aren’t you simply being Cafeteria Catholics yourselves then, picking and choosing how YOU think the Church should operate?
) but I know the Mass would suffer. Badly done traditional music is just as distracting as irreverent contemporary music.