Worried about Lifeteen coming to our Parish

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While the movement has its benefits and bears fruits, there are some concerns regarding how LifeTeen handles the issue of music. This is from their website:
Music
Teens listen to a great deal of music everyday. Although some of it may be objectionable, it is all produced very well and has incredible sound quality. To bring the liturgy to life for teens, **youth Masses use musical instruments that teens are used to hearing on a daily basis. **The tone must remain prayerful and the music selection should call the congregation into deeper prayer, not distract from it.
This is a cause for concern. Even though the paragraph tries to qualify itself concerning musical selections, the instruments used are primarily associated with secular music and not the sacred.

Another reference to music is here:
The Role of Music
Music is essential; it can draw teens into an experience of true worship. Good liturgical music (simple, sing-able, and scriptural) should be chosen. It is important that the music be enriched with instruments, sparked with life, and involve the community, not just the musicians.
Just what exactly does that mean? Are hip and trendy instruments the only ones that are “sparked with life”? The organ is the Church’s liturgical instrment. It is the only one specifically mentioned by name in all of the authoritative documents. However, one can infer that LifeTeen completely rules that out.

This reference here is, as I read it, well-meaning, but, inappropriate:
Bring out the real elements of the liturgy and place emphasis where it belongs – on the Community, the Word, and the Eucharist.
The Community is not the end all the be all of the Mass. The Eucharist, specifically, the Holy Sacrifice is. Were the community the first order, then, we would, in essence, be gathering week after week to celebrate ourselves. Something that Pope Benedict XVI strongly cautioned against as Cardinal Ratzinger and as Pope.

I tried to log-in to the LifeTeen liturgy planner to see what it had suggested for the First Sunday of Lent, but, one needs to be a subscriber in order to do so. I am curious as to what their planning guide suggests.
 
This is a cause for concern. Even though the paragraph tries to qualify itself concerning musical selections, the instruments used are primarily associated with secular music and not the sacred.
We just had a thread closed about this, didn’t we? Anyway, once again; Life Teen has ensured that the Mass is inline with what the CWDWS wants. They were in contact with the CWDWS and nothing about the instruments used was mentioned. You can quote any documents and give as many subjective opinions as you want, but the fact is the CWDWS made no mention to Life Teen that the instruments used during Mass was an issue. The Synod in 2005 made mention of somethings things, however, once again, the CWDWS would have specifically sought out Life Teen, the Friars of the Renewal, the U of S, the Companions of the Cross, and several other orders/movements who have been in contact with the CWDWS about any banning of contemporary instruments. The organizations in question (including Life Teen) are constant in following what the Church leaders say. And I am under the impression that when it comes to the Liturgy the CWDWS has some say in the matter, no?
Are hip and trendy instruments the only ones that are “sparked with life”? The organ is the Church’s liturgical instrment. It is the only one specifically mentioned by name in all of the authoritative documents. However, one can infer that LifeTeen completely rules that out.
No, they are not the only one’s “sparked with life”. Also, about those “hip and trendy instruments”. The instrument I play pre-dates the organ by several years, if not thousands of years (percussion instruments have been around since the Old Testament). It is also very much integrated with several cultures (Africa, South America). I want to mention that because they may appear to be “young and trendy”, but they have also been around for ages. And the organ, at one point, was young’n’trendy.

Finally lets say, hypothetically, that a group contacted the CWDWS about how they do the Mass. The CWDWS informs them of what needs to be done and a change of musical instruments is not among the list. Can it not be “inferred” that the CWDWS is fine with the music in question?
The Community is not the end all the be all of the Mass. The Eucharist, specifically, the Holy Sacrifice is. Were the community the first order, then, we would, in essence, be gathering week after week to celebrate ourselves. Something that Pope Benedict XVI strongly cautioned against as Cardinal Ratzinger and as Pope.
I think you’re nit-picking at this point and are actively trying to find some flaws. Community isn’t celebrated in the first order, it’s just the first one listed. Of course the Eucharist is the most important item, but is it because it’s listed after Community and the Word you think it isn’t? Semantics (of course, I’m always up for some antics!) Seems pretty silly if you ask me, especially when you look at the whole “last shall be first” business. Just because Eucharist was mentioned third does not mean that it is treated third.

Your concerns about music is understandable considering your background. But this is one of those times it might just be better to “agree to disagree”. We had a several page thread get closed due to this, and I’d rather this thread stay open so myself and others can address concerns they may have about the Life Teen program rather than get into another “I will use the POWER OF DOCUMENTS WHERE I POST CERTAIN SECTIONS AND NOT OTHERS” and “subjective opinions!” vs “the Church body (CWDWS) responsible has no issues with this plus the local Bishops don’t either plus the Bishops give encouragement in some cases” and “insert more subjective opinions here!”.

We’re going to go in circles, and no one is going to change their mind about the issue. The thread will be closed again, the a mod will say “no more of these threads!”. Then no discussions happen! Such non-joy!

In closing; I like cheese. It’s yummy.

*(At least this time someone actually went to the web site. Aces!)
 
As far as I can tell, there is no liturgical precedent in the Western Church (Latin-Rite) for the playing of drums, just like there is none for dance. As far as the mentioning of African and tribal nations, that is another matter because inculturation factors into the picture. The “Youth culture” that so many have alluded to is really of a secular nature and does not fall under the bounds of inculturation. Inculturation, as the Church sees it, takes in indigenous lands and peoples in missionary lands, not the “Youth culture”.

Furthermore, to use the OT as justification for having drums really does not apply here. While the Church has appropriated the Sacrifice and the chantinig of the Psalms from the cultic worship of Ancient Israel, as well as the concept of using gold vessels and vestments, not everything was brought into the threshold. King David danced around wearing only an ephod. Should we be expecting the priest to do this during the Mass? So, even at that point, the argument falls flat.

Something that the proponents of LifeTeen have seemed to dance around, if you will, is the valid concern raised by the Fathers of the 2005 Synod when they listed the music used at “Youth Masses” as a concern. If the CDWDS had not had a problem with it, as many proponents suggest, why would this matter have come up as a shadow in the liturgy?

The OP has every right to be concerned. As I have stated many times, ecclesial movements have their approval and recognition. They have also borne fruit in many ways. However, the manner in which they treat the Mass is an entirely different subject. We can be so devoted to a movement to the point that we cannot see the deficiencies involved. I have personally encountered this with the local Cursillo, Charismatic and Neocatechumenal movements. If I were a parent, I would allow my child to go to Life Night and the other activities, but, the Mass would be an entirely different matter.
 
Something that the proponents of LifeTeen have seemed to dance around, if you will, is the valid concern raised by the Fathers of the 2005 Synod when they listed the music used at “Youth Masses” as a concern. If the CDWDS had not had a problem with it, as many proponents suggest, why would this matter have come up as a shadow in the liturgy?
Dance around what? I’ve addressed the issue of the Synod many times. Several times. I believe I called the concerns valid, even. I actually referenced the Synod in my last post. And probably the post before that for all I know. I’ve lost track of the amount of times you have said “no one addresses this” and I’ve actually addressed it head-on or alluded to it in my posts.

It would come up as a “shadow in the liturgy” because they are concerned about the potential direction of where things could go if left unchecked. I believe the expression is “err on the side of caution”. There are some who did not get approval to do things or are pushing the boundaries, and frankly it makes the rest of us look rather poor. This happens everywhere, regardless of your stance on this issue. An example of sorts; some people in my city consider me a heretic because I go to a Mass where Latin isn’t used, let alone my preference in music during Mass. I also met a director of a Sacred Music choir, and he was a pompous jerk who thought everything from after a certain time period was inappropriate. Now tell me, should I judge all “traditionalists” in this manner? This happens with those who are “more conservative than the Bible” or “more conservative than the Church”. These things can happen on either side of this debate. Don’t think for a moment that there aren’t issues with the other side.
The OP has every right to be concerned. As I have stated many times, ecclesial movements have their approval and recognition. They have also borne fruit in many ways. However, the manner in which they treat the Mass is an entirely different subject. We can be so devoted to a movement to the point that we cannot see the deficiencies involved. I have personally encountered this with the local Cursillo, Charismatic and Neocatechumenal movements. If I were a parent, I would allow my child to go to Life Night and the other activities, but, the Mass would be an entirely different matter.
The OP has every right to be concerned, I agree. Anytime a new group shows up one must take stock of things. I started posting in this thread because I wanted to shed some light (no pun intended) on Life Teen as an organization, and also that much of it falls on laymen being the leaders. I also started posting to stress that Life Teen is fully committed to the Magisterium and fully obedient. I posted proof of such obedience in the form of a letter that was sent out to the local Life Teen groups, in which they were informed to conform. I also pointed out that Life Teen themselves work with the CWDWS to ensure that the Mass was appropriate, and they authorized said Mass so long as the changes were made.

The manner in which Mass is treated is in accordance with the CWDWS and with the complete approval of the local Bishops. It is completely in-line with the current GIRM. I fail to see what more can be asked of an organization invovled in the Catholic Church. Would you rather have a group who has the traditional Mass with all of your music and is NOT in league with Rome? Would you rather a choir full of non-believers doing your music?

And finally; Life Teen doesn’t want to do away with Sacred Music. They don’t want LTM to end. Do we do the LTM at our Masses? Not usually. But we want it to stay, and we respect it. You, on the other hand, want Youth Masses and the music associated with them gone completely. There’s no room for them, despite that the organization went out of their way to make sure they complied with the proper authorities.

Based on that, and if there are others with that mindset involved, I’m not sure I’d want my kids being involved at your church.
 
And finally; Life Teen doesn’t want to do away with Sacred Music. They don’t want LTM to end. Do we do the LTM at our Masses? Not usually. But we want it to stay, and we respect it.
With all due respect, why not? Several young people on this thread have already expressed a desire to be exposed to a teen program that would allow them to experience some pre-Vatican II music and tradition.

Is it a Lifeteen policy to assume that most teens only like the modern music? I think it would really be interesting to see a Lifeteen program at a parish expose teens to all areas of sacred music. You don’t have to do it all the time, but considering you can throw a stone in any direction and hit a Catholic Church that uses the modern Lifeteen repertoire, why not offer a little variety?

Even if your personal preference isn’t for the older hymns and chant, I think you would be surprised at the number of teens who would react positively to having something new offered to them.
 
With all due respect, why not? Several young people on this thread have already expressed a desire to be exposed to a teen program that would allow them to experience some pre-Vatican II music and tradition.
It appears an assumption is being held that the youth are not being exposed to these things at all. As I stated before, we do incorporate some elements within certain Life Nights. Certainly within Eucharistic Adoration (which happens frequently, of course), as there are requirements (such as Tantum Ergo) which must be upheld. I’ve also personally informed several youth of Masses, concerts, and schools that would continue to allow them to dive into it more (such as the local Sacred Music Society). We also support and encourage youth to look into classical academies such as Our Lady Seat of Wisdom in Barry’s Bay Ontario as a viable choice in their post secondary education.

I’m sure there are some people within your Church who are interested in different Rites, and perhaps even some well-executed reverently played contemporary music . Will you then insist that every one of your Masses every so often tries out different Rites to see if people like them?
 
It appears an assumption is being held that the youth are not being exposed to these things at all. As I stated before, we do incorporate some elements within certain Life Nights.
I’m only stating it as I grew up amidst Lifeteen, Steubenville youth conferences and even ended up going to Franciscan for a couple years. As a past participant in Lifeteen and non-Lifeteen affiliated youth programmes and someone who helped out at various parish youth groups, I never encountered one that exposed the teens to anything other than contemporary music. Nor did any of my fellow teens (or youth leaders, later on) ever mention having heard of or encountered a programme that offered this alternative.

If your parish has it then I think it is safe to say that it is a rare exception and, I would argue, a good one.
I’m sure there are some people within your Church who are interested in different Rites, and perhaps even some well-executed reverently played contemporary music . Will you then insist that every one of your Masses every so often tries out different Rites to see if people like them?
Switching Rites is only something that is done in exceptional circumstances. Selecting Sacred Music for use at a teen Mass isn’t like switching Rites. You don’t have to petition to Rome to do it, and you don’t have to find a bi-ritual Priest. You just do it!

I’m just not really getting why it would be so hard for a Lifeteen programme to, once in a while, try something different. The only possible argument I can see against this is a) No one at the parish in question knows how to play or obtain sacred music, b) Someone in a decision-making capacity has decided that teens don’t like traditional sacred music or c) There’s a bias against traditional sacred music in teen oriented Masses.

I hate to assume that c) is true but when every. single. teen group that I’ve seen or that my peers have seen always chooses a contemporary format, what else is there for a reasonable person to conclude?

(Note: I’m not picking on Lifeteen specifically, it’s just one of the biggest organized Catholic teen efforts. My conclusions apply to general parish youth groups as well).
 
I’m only stating it as I grew up amidst Lifeteen, Steubenville youth conferences and even ended up going to Franciscan for a couple years. As a past participant in Lifeteen and non-Lifeteen affiliated youth programmes and someone who helped out at various parish youth groups, I never encountered one that exposed the teens to anything other than contemporary music. Nor did any of my fellow teens (or youth leaders, later on) ever mention having heard of or encountered a programme that offered this alternative.

If your parish has it then I think it is safe to say that it is a rare exception and, I would argue, a good one.
My city is a great one in this regard, a lot of great options. If we don’t offer what the youth (or young adults) need, we point them in the right direction. We also do not feel in any threatened by those who promote “Sacred Music”, because we know that theologically we are on the same page. We also know that they aren’t trying to shut down our music, and vice-versa which helps a lot. So when a teen says “I want to learn more about Sacred Music”, we educate’m and send them to the experts who have a love of teaching and a love of the music. I also work plenty of Church history into RCIT.(RCIA for youth and young adults).

The Catholic community in my city is very traditional for the most part. The “liberal” folks are segmented within one or two parishes…and sadly at the “Catholic” off-shoot of the University. And due to it being run by said people, it’s hard to affect change there. Most of them think I’m a biggot and close-minded but that’s neither here nor there. The excellent thing is Our Chief Shepherd is a good man and a good leader in many respects. To show what kind of a leader he is, he knows that the changes to said school will take a very long time to come around. So in the interim, he sends our seminarians to St. Augustine’s in Toronto because he knows the formation at the school here will be inadequate. I like leadership like that, and so does my buddy whose going to be ordained in a couple of year. We also have the borderline (and sometimes definitely) schismatic uber-traditional folks have their own home-base as well. I’m certain not all of them think I’m a heretic, but a few do.

On a different note; said “liberal Church” uses Sacred Music and hosts some Sacred Music concerts. Crazy times.

Our Chief Shepherd is encouraging all groups to work together,and play to everyone’s strengths, which is what we are doing. There is a wide range of groups and Churches, of which we can all work together. No one is trying to shut the other down, no one is demanding that people switch to “our way”, we’re all doing our part to build up the Body of Christ through devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. We’re exposing them to the Truth, to Jesus Christ. We’re doing it our way, and exposing them to other methods as well.

*Oh and I keep on forgetting to mention; our Psalms are often done in a “Sacred Music” style. With a keyboard (due to logistical reasons), but still done in that style.

**Also, I know changing Rites shouldn’t be done. I was merely asking if your Church ever changes things up musically like you’re asking if we do.
 
It appears an assumption is being held that the youth are not being exposed to these things at all. As I stated before, we do incorporate some elements within certain Life Nights. Certainly within Eucharistic Adoration (which happens frequently, of course), as there are requirements (such as Tantum Ergo) which must be upheld. I’ve also personally informed several youth of Masses, concerts, and schools that would continue to allow them to dive into it more (such as the local Sacred Music Society). We also support and encourage youth to look into classical academies such as Our Lady Seat of Wisdom in Barry’s Bay Ontario as a viable choice in their post secondary education.

I’m sure there are some people within your Church who are interested in different Rites, and perhaps even some well-executed reverently played contemporary music . Will you then insist that every one of your Masses every so often tries out different Rites to see if people like them?
However, you are incorporating certain elements only within Life Night and not during the actual Mass. That, I see, is very problematic. You are only exposing the teens to the modern genre as opposed to what the Church considers Sacred Music. At least, to your credit, you are using Tatum Ergo for benediction.

I do not have $300 to spend to be able to access the actual LifeTeen liturgical planning guide. The ones that I have been able to see use little to no genuine Sacred Music. In a previous post, someone cited four hymns as though these were a huge plethora. Four hymns in the grand scheme of things is hardly a pittance.

Lent is the ideal time to introduce venerable hymns such as the Attende Domine, Parce Domine and Again, We Keep this Solemn Fast. The use of instruments should be limited only to sustaining the music, and, even at that, there should be a greater degree of solemnity and sobriety. Are the teens even being exposed to that?

If you were to peruse through the threads regarding LT, you will find that a great many teens who have participated in these have indicated that they want something sacred. They hunger for Tradition, as Onegin noted. Furthermore, from what I understood after reading the LT website it is international, is it not? That being the case then there is valid concern for what the Synod Fathers stated. I doubt very seriously that if the music used at these Youth Masses had been authentic Sacred Music, then the issue would never have arisen during the Synod.

You have yet to produce a document from the CDWDS specfically stating that they are fine with the music. What I have shown you, from no less than the Vatican website, itself, that the opposite is true. In fact, the Neocatechumenal Way made similar claims, but, they could not back these up. They assumed that when Pope John Paul II gave initial approval of their movement, that he also approved their treatment of the Mass. As Pope Benedict XVI noted, that was not entirely the case at all. In fact, he had to personally intervene and get the now-Prefect Emeritus, Francis Cardinal Arinze, to personally inform the movement that they had to correct their abuses.

That is why, perhaps, there is great concern by folks, like the OP, about this movement coming to their parish. I have no real issue with the movement, itself; however, its treatment of the Mass is cause for concern.
 
BG, something I would like an answer for is; The manner in which Mass is treated is in accordance with the CWDWS and with the complete approval of the local Bishops. It is completely in-line with the current GIRM. I fail to see what more can be asked of an organization invovled in the Catholic Church. Would you rather have a group who has the traditional Mass with all of your music and is NOT in league with Rome? Would you rather a choir full of non-believers doing your music?
However, you are incorporating certain elements only within Life Night and not during the actual Mass. That, I see, is very problematic. You are only exposing the teens to the modern genre as opposed to what the Church considers Sacred Music. At least, to your credit, you are using Tatum Ergo for benediction.
We do incorporate some into the Mass. Not all the time mind you, but we do. But you likely won’t rest until we shut down the music entirely. Only then will you be content with the situation.
I do not have $300 to spend to be able to access the actual LifeTeen liturgical planning guide. The ones that I have been able to see use little to no genuine Sacred Music. In a previous post, someone cited four hymns as though these were a huge plethora. Four hymns in the grand scheme of things is hardly a pittance.
And even then, you can’t look into our minds and hearts. You can’t see what we’re doing for the youth, you’re in another country so it’s not like you can see or hear our Masses. The planning guides are for planning. Outlines. They are not hard-set rules.
If you were to peruse through the threads regarding LT, you will find that a great many teens who have participated in these have indicated that they want something sacred. They hunger for Tradition, as Onegin noted.
I feed them Tradition on a regular basis, we all do. Tradition is more than just 'Sacred Music", it is one of our Rules of Faiths. You’ve seen my signature? I’m I teach the Faith, my dear. I teach itto newbies and olbies alike, an equal opportunity apologist. Don’t assume I’m not doing my job right when I lay down some instructions.

Oh, and the difference between us that those dudes that were mentioned? We talked to Rome first.
You have yet to produce a document from the CDWDS specfically stating that they are fine with the music. What I have shown you, from no less than the Vatican website, itself, that the opposite is true.
Life Teen complied with the wishes of Rome. As for the document form the CWDWS, I was under the impression that you understood that the dialogue did happen (confirmed via third party sources) and a letter was produced detailing the changes. Although I don’t have access to any documents from the CWDWS, it can be inferred they sent documents to Life Teen regarding the issue.
That is why, perhaps, there is great concern by folks, like the OP, about this movement coming to their parish. I have no real issue with the movement, itself; however, its treatment of the Mass is cause for concern.
The fact that you will not budge AT ALL on this issue, whereas myself and others think that there can be co-existence is a cause for concern IMHO. And that’s why I will likely not visit this thread for a bit. I don’t want to see it get closed as it has some good discussions. But frankly, when you are this extreme about it, I must admit it makes me wonder if you are questioning my authentication and devotion to the Mass and to the ministry myself and others worked so hard for. It makes it seem like I somehow have less reverence than you, that I love God less than you. That my love for the Eucharist (which caused my reversion) is less than you. That as a Traditional Catholic in every respect except music, I feel out of place. That my Faith is not as strong as yours. And somehow, our Mass is less valid. You’ll say something about something about this paragraph, but for the time being that’s how I’m feeling. I’m probably not the only one either, which is why these threads can often get closed.

And every time you and others say “you don’t expose them to Tradition” with the upper case “T”? That’s a slap in the face. RCIA/RCIT, BG. These days I teach it every week, and I personally invite EVERYONE of our youth to come. I approach them ONE BY ONE and tell them about it. First name basis. I tell them about what they will eb learning, and I tell them with the enthusiasm that only a man truly devoted to the teaching of the Faith can be. I challenge them that if they want more, COME GET MORE. I teach Tradition. It’s not musical “tradition”, but the Rule of Faith Tradition. THAT’S the Tradition that matters.

So now I’m going to do the mature thing and step away. Just answer my “yes or no” questions above (would you rather have a group who has the traditional Mass with all of your music and is NOT in league with Rome and would you rather a choir full of non-believers doing your music?). I won’t respond, but your answers should speak for themselves.

I’ll come back and visit this thread in a few days when I clear my head Maybe. I’m also as likely not to visit the Traditional Catholic board again because, despite being a Traditionalist in every since except music I don’t exactly feel great being here.

Until then cheers all, and God bless.
 
BG, something I would like an answer for is; The manner in which Mass is treated is in accordance with the CWDWS and with the complete approval of the local Bishops. It is completely in-line with the current GIRM. I fail to see what more can be asked of an organization invovled in the Catholic Church. Would you rather have a group who has the traditional Mass with all of your music and is NOT in league with Rome? Would you rather a choir full of non-believers doing your music?

We do incorporate some into the Mass. Not all the time mind you, but we do. But you likely won’t rest until we shut down the music entirely. Only then will you be content with the situation.

And even then, you can’t look into our minds and hearts. You can’t see what we’re doing for the youth, you’re in another country so it’s not like you can see or hear our Masses. The planning guides are for planning. Outlines. They are not hard-set rules.

I feed them Tradition on a regular basis, we all do. Tradition is more than just 'Sacred Music", it is one of our Rules of Faiths. You’ve seen my signature? I’m I teach the Faith, my dear. I teach itto newbies and olbies alike, an equal opportunity apologist. Don’t assume I’m not doing my job right when I lay down some instructions.

Oh, and the difference between us that those dudes that were mentioned? We talked to Rome first.

Life Teen complied with the wishes of Rome. As for the document form the CWDWS, I was under the impression that you understood that the dialogue did happen (confirmed via third party sources) and a letter was produced detailing the changes. Although I don’t have access to any documents from the CWDWS, it can be inferred they sent documents to Life Teen regarding the issue.

The fact that you will not budge AT ALL on this issue, whereas myself and others think that there can be co-existence is a cause for concern IMHO. And that’s why I will likely not visit this thread for a bit. I don’t want to see it get closed as it has some good discussions. But frankly, when you are this extreme about it, I must admit it makes me wonder if you are questioning my authentication and devotion to the Mass and to the ministry myself and others worked so hard for. It makes it seem like I somehow have less reverence than you, that I love God less than you. That my love for the Eucharist (which caused my reversion) is less than you. That as a Traditional Catholic in every respect except music, I feel out of place. That my Faith is not as strong as yours. And somehow, our Mass is less valid. You’ll say something about something about this paragraph, but for the time being that’s how I’m feeling. I’m probably not the only one either, which is why these threads can often get closed.

And every time you and others say “you don’t expose them to Tradition” with the upper case “T”? That’s a slap in the face. RCIA/RCIT, BG. These days I teach it every week, and I personally invite EVERYONE of our youth to come. I approach them ONE BY ONE and tell them about it. First name basis. I tell them about what they will eb learning, and I tell them with the enthusiasm that only a man truly devoted to the teaching of the Faith can be. I challenge them that if they want more, COME GET MORE. I teach Tradition. It’s not musical “tradition”, but the Rule of Faith Tradition. THAT’S the Tradition that matters.

So now I’m going to do the mature thing and step away. Just answer my “yes or no” questions above (would you rather have a group who has the traditional Mass with all of your music and is NOT in league with Rome and would you rather a choir full of non-believers doing your music?). I won’t respond, but your answers should speak for themselves.

I’ll come back and visit this thread in a few days when I clear my head.

Until then cheers all, and God bless.
First of all, third-party sources are not in the same cagetory as having an actual document that you can quote, read and see, ideally, with a Protocol Number. There was an actual document in the case of the Neocatechumenal Movement. And, if I remember what the third-party source you and others have cited, Rome had to intervene after the abuses had occurred.

Ideally, I would rather have folks who are of the same mind and heart as the Church and understand the Church’s definition of sacred music to handle what is being sung at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, using hymns and instruments that convey the sacred and not the secular. Just feeding the kids a diet of strictly PW music, songs that are not at all suitable for the Mass is cause for concern.

Do you not realize that the minute the bell rings and Mass starts, you are entering God’s time and not your own? Do you not realize that at every Mass, the veil between heaven and earth and time and space is lifted? Do you not realize that the warm bodies in the pews are not the only participants in the Mass, that it unites Heaven, Earth and Purgatory (Church Triumphant, Church Militant and Church Suffering)? The music needs to take all of that into account.

Furthermore, we are doing something outside of ourselves, participating in something out of the ordinary. That is why the prayers and propers of the Mass have been revised to reflect this reality. That is why the quality of the language has been elevated because we are engaging in something radically different than everyday speak or every day activity. The music, in turn, needs to reflect that.
 
First of all, third-party sources are not in the same cagetory as having an actual document that you can quote, read and see, ideally, with a Protocol Number. There was an actual document in the case of the Neocatechumenal Movement. And, if I remember what the third-party source you and others have cited, Rome had to intervene after the abuses had occurred.

Ideally, I would rather have folks who are of the same mind and heart as the Church and understand the Church’s definition of sacred music to handle what is being sung at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, using hymns and instruments that convey the sacred and not the secular. Just feeding the kids a diet of strictly PW music, songs that are not at all suitable for the Mass is cause for concern.

Do you not realize that the minute the bell rings and Mass starts, you are entering God’s time and not your own? Do you not realize that at every Mass, the veil between heaven and earth and time and space is lifted? Do you not realize that the warm bodies in the pews are not the only participants in the Mass, that it unites Heaven, Earth and Purgatory (Church Triumphant, Church Militant and Church Suffering)? The music needs to take all of that into account.

Furthermore, we are doing something outside of ourselves, participating in something out of the ordinary. That is why the prayers and propers of the Mass have been revised to reflect this reality. That is why the quality of the language has been elevated because we are engaging in something radically different than everyday speak or every day activity. The music, in turn, needs to reflect that.
Beautiful post!

Like Catholicdude said above, emotionalism tends to factor heavily into Lifeteen, or into most youth-oriented ministries. Emotionalism wears off after time; real substance of ideology and teaching needs to be focused on first. Yes, it is a wondrous and immense thing that Jesus loves us and died for us, but yes, the thrill of first understanding this wears off over time and can come and go in cycles. Without having a firm ideological basis to support one’s belief no matter how emotionally “psyched-up” one is feeling at a given time, faith can and does crumble.

The traditional Church educated the faithful using the truth of the substance of the Catholic Faith. A truly Christian civilization was built. Modern Catholicism relies on emotionalism to get the message out, and our pews are empty. This is no coincidence.
 
Do you not realize that the minute the bell rings and Mass starts, you are entering God’s time and not your own? Do you not realize that at every Mass, the veil between heaven and earth and time and space is lifted? Do you not realize that the warm bodies in the pews are not the only participants in the Mass, that it unites Heaven, Earth and Purgatory (Church Triumphant, Church Militant and Church Suffering)? The music needs to take all of that into account.

Furthermore, we are doing something outside of ourselves, participating in something out of the ordinary. That is why the prayers and propers of the Mass have been revised to reflect this reality. That is why the quality of the language has been elevated because we are engaging in something radically different than everyday speak or every day activity. The music, in turn, needs to reflect that.
This is inspiring, and puts words to the way I’ve always tried to approach my small role in playing music at Mass. As far as Life Teen goes, I cant imagine the the majority of musicians playing music under their guidance not feeling the same way, I know their director of music feels this way. Have you listened to the music he set to the prayer Mother Teresa taught him?
 
You go girl…another eloquently written post…I agree 100% 👍
First of all, third-party sources are not in the same cagetory as having an actual document that you can quote, read and see, ideally, with a Protocol Number. There was an actual document in the case of the Neocatechumenal Movement. And, if I remember what the third-party source you and others have cited, Rome had to intervene after the abuses had occurred.

Ideally, I would rather have folks who are of the same mind and heart as the Church and understand the Church’s definition of sacred music to handle what is being sung at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, using hymns and instruments that convey the sacred and not the secular. Just feeding the kids a diet of strictly PW music, songs that are not at all suitable for the Mass is cause for concern.

Do you not realize that the minute the bell rings and Mass starts, you are entering God’s time and not your own? Do you not realize that at every Mass, the veil between heaven and earth and time and space is lifted? Do you not realize that the warm bodies in the pews are not the only participants in the Mass, that it unites Heaven, Earth and Purgatory (Church Triumphant, Church Militant and Church Suffering)? The music needs to take all of that into account.

Furthermore, we are doing something outside of ourselves, participating in something out of the ordinary. That is why the prayers and propers of the Mass have been revised to reflect this reality. That is why the quality of the language has been elevated because we are engaging in something radically different than everyday speak or every day activity. The music, in turn, needs to reflect that.
 
Everyone always says that “teens want contemporary music”, “Teens want this”, “teens want that”. Baloney. Absolutely baloney. I’m a teen. I’d know.

Teens want the truth. Teens want to know what real catholic hymns are. Teens want the beauty of the church. If they want a rock concert, go to one. If you want to go to Mass, then go to Mass.

Church should be transcendent, not like ordinary life. That is one of the main reasons for the churches rich musical, architectural, liturgical, (etc…) history. Walking into church should be different than ordinary life. The church has clearly said that chant, and the classic pipe organ are the most fitting music/instrument for Mass. 'Nuff said.

Think about it. We don’t need to stoop to their level. We need to call them to something higher. Do they like going to school? Probably not. Will they appreciate it later. Surely.

I can tell you first hand that some teens actually like chant, traditional hymns, etc… Schola is one of our favorite classes for most of my friends and me!
Also, the defenders of LT say that they changed in accordance with the GIRM after Rome interviened. **After they intervened. ** For Pete's sake: **ROME SHOULDN'T HAVE TO INTERVENE!!! THE ABUSES SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!** [sigh]
OP, I feel your pain. I’d be worried too. Keep fighting the good fight.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
 
A parish gets from Life Teen what it invests. One of our brothers works at the local parish with their Life Teen Ministry. They have a wonderful ministry. Let me give you some examples.
  1. They have 30 adults who are trained in youth ministry and work with the kids.
  2. Sunday mass with 800+ teens and their families
  3. Benediction and adoration every Thursday night, about 150 kids attend
  4. Rosary Crusade in October
  5. Over 40 kids who go to Washington each year for the March for Life
  6. Annual Summer Camp for Catholic kids
  7. Weekly meeting with: fellowship, bible study, and prayer
  8. Two annual retreats for teens
  9. Teens run retreat for middle schoolers
10.Teans run the parish pantry, which they keep stocked

11.Monthly Rosay for Life lead by teens

12.Teens helped pay part of the mortgage for the pre-school by raising several thousand dollars last year

13.Teens attending daily mass, communion and confessions
  1. Four teens joining our community this October 4
  2. Teens help run the annual parish carnival to raise funds to pay for a new church that they need
  3. Teens celebrate the Solemnity of St. Francis each year with great reverence for our Holy Father
  4. Weekly classes in Catholic dogma for teens attended by 40-50 teens
  5. Teens organize an annual toy drive for poor kids in the diocese
  6. Teens attending Chastity Days run by the Brothers of Life and taking the oath: Wait Until Marriage
  7. Teens who love the Franciscan spirit and welcome the Franciscan Brothers of Life with great enthusiasm when the brothers go to the parish to lead Franciscan study nights
  8. Parents who had not been in church for ages are returning with their teens.
  9. Teens who founded a Youth for Life Organization at the local public school
  10. Four times a year the teens run a cook-out to bring other teens to the parish
  11. Full-time paid Life Teen coordinator available 7-days a week, one Franciscan Brother 3-days a week, one full-time priest, five Franciscan brothers twice a week and the lay volunteers (most are parents).
But to make all of this happen it takes a lot of adults who are committed Catholics that spend time in prayer together and with the teens and who are willing to go through the formation program. If the adults don’t do the work, it will turn into another social group and will not bear much fruit. Life Teen has a lot of good material and a lot of good study programs for kids and for adults who don’t know their faith. Check out their wesite. www.lifeteen.com

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
An open letter to those involved with Life Teen.

April 27, 2001

Since our article criticizing the Life Teen Mass was posted we have had a surprising amount of responses, mostly from those involved with the Life Teen Mass. While some have mentioned how much inspiration they receive by this style of liturgy, none have really addressed the fundamental reason for my criticism. I suspect this is simply because there is no defense for open rebellion against the magisterial authority of the Church. Although this letter was originally intended for one young man, due to the responses, we have decided to make this an open letter to all involved with Life Teen.

Dear Life Teens,

With heartfelt concern I would like to give you my own reasons why the “lively” Teen Mass is inappropriate. The feel good songs of praise, the tambourine shaking and the hooting and hollering is well and good in another setting outside of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The reason is this. There is an extremely poor understanding of the Theology of the Mass, of knowing what exactly takes place at every Mass. If every Catholic understood, the Church itself would be transformed.

Every time you enter into a Catholic Church and prepare yourself for the Sacrifice, you leave the world behind and enter into Calvary. Time stands still and you are no longer in 2001 for the Mass is “other worldly”. This is a mystery that you are not meant to understand but it makes this truth no less a reality. You are present with Jesus and the Apostles in the upper room. Jesus is getting ready to spill out His blood for your sins. He is getting ready to suffer. This was not a “happy” time for Him. You are one of the apostles sitting at the table with Him. You feel Christ’s sadness, see His distress, are ready to go to the garden, to pray and to watch with Him.

After that you begin to walk the road to Calvary. And if you are one of the brave ones, as Christ’s Mother, St. John the Beloved, and St. Mary Magdalene was, you will walk the way with Christ and stand beneath the cross and see His blood spilled and His Life poured out for you alone. We’ve often heard that if we were the only one in the world, Christ would’ve died for me. This is a personal thing. At Mass these realities should be every present to everyone there. When the focus is on feeling good and having a good time we forget that Jesus is getting ready to shed His blood and our sins are what put Him on the cross.

If Jesus were to come in the clouds today or were to show up in your living room I don’t believe that you would play some “happening” music or shake your tambourine. In Revelations St. John saw the “Lamb looking as if slain” and St. John “fell down as if dead”. We too would fall down on our faces and cry, “Have mercy!” We have an extremely poor understanding of the ugliness of every sin in comparison with the beauty of God and therefore we consider ourselves somewhat “worthy” of this redemption thing so we have no true fear of the Lord or appreciation for what actually took place on Calvary. One tiny venial sin is so incompatible with the complete goodness of God that our tiny minds cannot fathom how ugly our souls must be compared to the perfection of Christ. When we make the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass a “feel good” thing we take the emphasis off Christ and put it on ourselves. One could easily say the Mass becomes a “self-worship” thing instead of true worship of the Living God. All our attention should be on God and absolutely nothing should bring attention to ourselves. I say come down off that altar where no one belongs but the Priest who represents Christ, the great High Priest, fall down on your face and make reparation for your sins. “A contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn”.

Hopefully you will better understand what takes place in every Mass. If you love to sing songs of praise and dance to the Lord that is a wonderful thing. But we must also be willing to forget ourselves, unite ourselves to Christ’s sacrifice and enter into the mysteries of our salvation. We must go to Calvary at Mass, prepare our hearts to receive him by confessing our sins to a priest often and by spending much time in quiet prayer before receiving our Lord sacramentally in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is primarily a Sacrifice and we can never lose sight of this fact lest our celebrations become “love feasts” with ourselves. None of us would’ve been dancing in the aisles at the Last Supper. Nor should we be at Mass.

In Christ’s love Your sister in Him,
Janet Inman
 
I speak from personal experience and that of friends.
The whole “come as you are” attitude tells people that Jesus is their buddy. He loves and accepts them just the way they are and they shouldn’t change a thing. This really damages the person’s understanding of how unworthy they are to be present at the Mass, let alone receive Christ Himself. It also gives them the idea that they don’t have to strive to be a better person. Teens who feel like no one understands them (especially parents) look for someone who loves and accepts them just the way they are, and Life-Teen offers them that acceptance.
They go to Mass to “feel good,” and I believe St. John of the Cross is one who warns against “spiritual gluttony.” After experiencing this “good feeling,” a normal Mass just won’t do it for them anymore. So when they grow up and are too old to attend Life-Teen (or if they are otherwise unable to attend), they just don’t “get anything” out of Mass anymore. They leave the Church for protestant churches to regain that good feeling. Why? Because they never learned the true purpose of the Mass, and they don’t believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist! By the way, the relaxed, fun attitude of the Life-Teen Masses encourages this because it doesn’t give the Sacrifice of the Mass the reverence and dignity of Calvary.
Life-Teen Masses seem good at first, because it brings kids into Church. However, it ends up hurting their faith and driving them away from it in the end. Ladies and gentlemen, the devil at work.
 
That does not say anything about the ministry.

Archbishop Lefebvre was excommunicated. It does not mean that every SSPX priest is Archbishop Lefebvre.

Fr. Marcel Marciel was sent away to do penance. It does not mean that the Legionaires of Christ do not do good ministry.

Mother Mary MacKillop was excommunicated. Now she is beatified.

The founder of Covenant House, whose name I forget, was suspended, but Covenant House does wonderful work for the Church.

Fraernally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
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