Youth Mass idea: Lifehouse Skit DURING Mass?

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ASD said:
I’ll defer to others on question of whether it’s allowed or not. I don’t doubt that Benedictgal, japhy, et al, are correct that is completely inappropriate.

But, I still want to jump on my hobby horse for a second:

Is it a “powerful evangelisation tool for youth?”

Who says? Based on what evidence? Any facts, any numbers?

Though all kinds of nonsense like this is done in the name of parishioners, including “youth,” I think many of them are just putting up with it because they assume it’s well meant.

ASD​

Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar
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Well, I thought it was pretty good when I saw it done at a Youth 2000 retreat.

I think it presents young people with the facts in a simple way: the world offers you EVERYTHING but gives you Nothing. Only in God can all your hopes, desires, and dreams be fulfilled, both here on earth and in eternity.
 
ASD said:
I’ll defer to others on question of whether it’s allowed or not. I don’t doubt that Benedictgal, japhy, et al, are correct that is completely inappropriate.

But, I still want to jump on my hobby horse for a second:

Is it a “powerful evangelisation tool for youth?”

Who says? Based on what evidence? Any facts, any numbers?

Though all kinds of nonsense like this is done in the name of parishioners, including “youth,” I think many of them are just putting up with it because they assume it’s well meant.

ASD​

Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar
Click to expand...
Fine outside of Mass. Inside of Mass, no way. No place for it no room for it and no justification for it.
 
I saw the skit a little while ago when someone sent it to my dad, and we watched it together. I’ll admit that the beginning is awfully boring and roll-your-eyes worthy, and we actually skipped the last couple of minutes to see why the woman who sent it said to make sure to keep watching, so as not to miss the end. And I have to admit, I love the ending. I love how it’s acted out. Then again, I like and appreciate theater, so I like their artistic representation on the deadly grasp of sin and the saving grace of God it takes to beat it.

I don’t think it has any place in a Mass, and I’m not so sure it’s a great evangelization tool to youth - if you ask me, the people at the venues this sort of skit is performed don’t need evangelizing. They’re the kids that already get God and can appreciate what the skit is portraying, like me. Kids who don’t already understand this aspect of faith and salvation aren’t going to appreciate it for what it is. If nothing else, they’re going to think it’s as rediculous as most of the rest of the people on this forum do.
 
Madaglan said:
I love Lifehouse, but the skit looks retarded.
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LOL, yeah. If I was a non-religious teenager, I’d be laughing my pants off in the pew. I actually used to like this song, but the skit just ruined it for me!

I’ll admit that the ending looks alright…but I don’t think that this sort of mimed theatrics would appeal much to most teens. Wait, actually…the ending sort of reminds me of a choreographed Britney Spears performance I saw on TV once.
 
Was this even at mass? Where does it say this? This is a youth conference. There are many rallies & gatherings that are not mass.
 
bobolink said:
I’ve been asked to play the Lord during a little play thing, (of which a link to a version of it follows this post), but I have reservations as it would be during Mass, after the Gospel or testimonies or something. I don’t think that Mass is the place to have this, and also the loud applause and such which would follow, is, to me, inapporopriate for Mass. Better to have it in another venue, perhaps after Mass, though this may not be possible.

The thing is, I think this is a powerful evangelisation tool for youth, yet it bothers me a lot, the idea of doing it during Mass. Kindof goes against my view and belief on the Mass and what should and should not be done. Yet if it were an opportunity, should it be taken or not?

Help! Advice please.

View the play here: uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
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I think your concern is rightly founded. If it violates the order of Mass, which a skit in the middle most certainly would, then you should not have any part in it and should confront your parish priest as to why he would allow such disobedience to the form of Mass, to which all Catholics are entitled, meaning the only official form as outlined by the GIRM. I would research the Church’s directives on this matter and cite them directly to the priest. If the priest refuses to listen, then appeal to the higher authority and if needed appeal all the way to Rome. Deviations from the rubrics are gravely sinful and no priest has the right to change or insert anything into the Mass, since it does not belong to him but to the Church.
 
una_fides said:
I think your concern is rightly founded. If it violates the order of Mass, which a skit in the middle most certainly would, then you should not have any part in it and should confront your parish priest as to why he would allow such disobedience to the form of Mass, to which all Catholics are entitled, meaning the only official form as outlined by the GIRM. I would research the Church’s directives on this matter and cite them directly to the priest. If the priest refuses to listen, then appeal to the higher authority and if needed appeal all the way to Rome. Deviations from the rubrics are gravely sinful and no priest has the right to change or insert anything into the Mass, since it does not belong to him but to the Church.
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I informed the organiser (a young person) that I would be happy to play the part, but not during Mass; before or after would be ok. So she said that they were going ahead with it. I am disappointed, but at least they know that I was willing to do it, just not during Mass. That should be clear enough.

As regards approaching the priest, I’d be most reluctant to do that. I like the priest, and I think this is a case of ignorance rather than anything else. All the more reason to speak with him about it. But I think not. It really would be a case of a young upstart correcting the priest.
 
bobolink said:
As regards approaching the priest, I’d be most reluctant to do that. I like the priest, and I think this is a case of ignorance rather than anything else. All the more reason to speak with him about it. But I think not. It really would be a case of a young upstart correcting the priest.
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Perhaps you could take a non-confrontational approach. Instead of telling the priest that he is doing wrong, you could simply inquire about it. You could say that you were doing some research into everything and that you were curious why he chose to do it during mass rather than another time. You could then inquire about something you found in the GIRM and cite it to him and ask him to explain it to you because you were confused.
Another approach could be to write a letter with the actual citation enclosed as well as a general explanation that you are concerned that this is taking place during mass rather than another time.
Even if the priest is doing it out of ignorance, he has a responsibility to research such an innovation before implementing it in mass. It’s a very big deal. Deviations from the prescribed order of mass are a grave matter. If you knew someone who said she was Catholic tell you she was about to have an abortion and you were fairly certain she did not know the Church’s teaching on the matter, then you would have an obligation to inform her. In the same way, abuses at mass are very GRAVE scandals, and we the faithful have an obligation to not sit idly by when they occur.
Here are a few articles that should help:
adoremus.org/1295Bruno.html
catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9901fea1.asp
catholic.com/library/liturgical_abuses.asp
 
una_fides said:
Perhaps you could take a non-confrontational approach. Instead of telling the priest that he is doing wrong, you could simply inquire about it. You could say that you were doing some research into everything and that you were curious why he chose to do it during mass rather than another time. You could then inquire about something you found in the GIRM and cite it to him and ask him to explain it to you because you were confused.
Another approach could be to write a letter with the actual citation enclosed as well as a general explanation that you are concerned that this is taking place during mass rather than another time.
Even if the priest is doing it out of ignorance, he has a responsibility to research such an innovation before implementing it in mass. It’s a very big deal. Deviations from the prescribed order of mass are a grave matter. If you knew someone who said she was Catholic tell you she was about to have an abortion and you were fairly certain she did not know the Church’s teaching on the matter, then you would have an obligation to inform her. In the same way, abuses at mass are very GRAVE scandals, and we the faithful have an obligation to not sit idly by when they occur.
Here are a few articles that should help:
adoremus.org/1295Bruno.html
catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9901fea1.asp
catholic.com/library/liturgical_abuses.asp
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You make a very good point.

However, I feel like I could never face that priest again if I was to do that. But I think it needs to be done. But I lack courage…
 
bobolink said:
You make a very good point.

However, I feel like I could never face that priest again if I was to do that. But I think it needs to be done. But I lack courage…
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Moses said the same thing, so God gave him Aaron to help speak for him. Perhaps you could share this situation with another person(s) at the parish and see if someone else is willing to speak up… Pray for courage. Like I said, the approach doesn’t have to be confrontational. Just inquisitive. I will say a prayer for you and your situation. Please pray for me with the situations I will be facing at my local parishes as well.
 
una_fides said:
Moses said the same thing, so God gave him Aaron to help speak for him. Perhaps you could share this situation with another person(s) at the parish and see if someone else is willing to speak up… Pray for courage. Like I said, the approach doesn’t have to be confrontational. Just inquisitive. I will say a prayer for you and your situation. Please pray for me with the situations I will be facing at my local parishes as well.
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Thanks. I will.
kage_ar said:
Is this not being attempted at your Parish? Can you visit the other Parish and see the hall for yourself?
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It’s not my parish but a neighboring parish. If it was my parish perhaps I would be more willing to speak up.
 
I watched the link, It is something that has utterly NO PLACE in Mass.
 
bobolink said:
I’ve been asked to play the Lord during a little play thing, (of which a link to a version of it follows this post), but I have reservations as it would be during Mass, after the Gospel or testimonies or something. I don’t think that Mass is the place to have this, and also the loud applause and such which would follow, is, to me, inapporopriate for Mass. Better to have it in another venue, perhaps after Mass, though this may not be possible.

The thing is, I think this is a powerful evangelisation tool for youth, yet it bothers me a lot, the idea of doing it during Mass. Kindof goes against my view and belief on the Mass and what should and should not be done. Yet if it were an opportunity, should it be taken or not?

Help! Advice please.

View the play here: uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
Click to expand...
I realize that it’s not really up to you, but when I hear of things like this, I just wonder to myself, why can’t they do this during the time allotted for Youth gatherings? :confused:

They could pass out invitations in the parish schools to invite kids to attend, and also make sure that it’s well advertised in your local community.

OR, what about staging it in one of the parish schools, during an assembly or something? 🤷
 
All I said to them was this: I’d be happy to play the part in their little performance, but NOT during Mass. I had hoped that maybe someone might have read between the lines. But apparently not, as they are going ahead with their plans.

I am now wondering whether or not I should write a letter to the priest or just forget about it.
 
bobolink said:
All I said to them was this: I’d be happy to play the part in their little performance, but NOT during Mass. I had hoped that maybe someone might have read between the lines. But apparently not, as they are going ahead with their plans.

I am now wondering whether or not I should write a letter to the priest or just forget about it.
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Chances are, until someone brings it up, it’s going to keep happening. Write the priest. Or heck, ask one of us to write the letter and you can send it. If the letter goes unheeded by the priest, do the same with the bishop. If you write it, be clear about why it upsets you, that it goes against the GIRM, and you don’t want to see any abuses happening anywhere in the diocese.
 
FanChan said:
Chances are, until someone brings it up, it’s going to keep happening. Write the priest. Or heck, ask one of us to write the letter and you can send it. If the letter goes unheeded by the priest, do the same with the bishop. If you write it, be clear about why it upsets you, that it goes against the GIRM, and you don’t want to see any abuses happening anywhere in the diocese.
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Hmmm…

The thing is, I had a fairly good relationship with this priest. I used ot go to a youth prayer group you see, and he spoke so well about the Gospel, his teaching was very sound and very good. Which would make this all the more disappointing. Since I refused the role, essentially, I’d feel awkward, as it is, showing my face back there, though my fears could be unfounded. If I were to write, it would have to be of the utmost charity and suchlike.

If anyone has the time and the inclination, I would appreciate a little advice on what to say, though I am not demanding it!
 
bobolink said:
Hmmm…

The thing is, I had a fairly good relationship with this priest. I used ot go to a youth prayer group you see, and he spoke so well about the Gospel, his teaching was very sound and very good. Which would make this all the more disappointing. Since I refused the role, essentially, I’d feel awkward, as it is, showing my face back there, though my fears could be unfounded. If I were to write, it would have to be of the utmost charity and suchlike.

If anyone has the time and the inclination, I would appreciate a little advice on what to say, though I am not demanding it!
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This article outlines exactly what to say in your letter: adoremus.org/1295Bruno.html
Just look up the specific reference in the GIRM and cite it in the letter perhaps include a copy of the actual book or at least a link to the official web address. Here’s the link to the GIRM online: usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml
 
Here’s a quote from Redemptionis Sacramentum:
  1. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters
    [183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favoritism.
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adoremus.org/RedemptionisSacramentum.html#anchor320043
 
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