LIFETEEN Mass, What do you think?

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Our Parish has a LIFETEEN Mass. Is anyone familiar with this liturgy? It really gets a lot of the teens to come to Mass, but I am not sure if the rubrics it has are approved or at least allowed. For instance, the teens gather around the altar during the eucharistic Prayer, there is a lot of clapping with the songs, also a lot of up beat music. I also note that at world youth day celebrations there is the same if not even more lively music. I went to a LIFETEEN traing conference recently, and they are 100% pro Pope, and seem to be pretty straight shooters as far as adhereing to catholic teaching on sometimes controvertial topics.

Joe Biltz

-- Joseph Carl Biltz (jc@aol.com), December 23, 2002

Answers

I just visited their website www.lifeteen.org, and from what I can tell, they seem to be very sincere, enthusiastic and genuinely dedicated to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

I don't know what to say about the rubrics, but remember what Our Lord said about the woman who washed His feet, that "love covers a multitude of sins"! The rubrics will work themselves out in time - as long as they stay at Our Lord's feet. :-)

-- Christine L :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), December 23, 2002.


Jmj

Hello, Joe.

I am not very familiar with LifeTeen. However, everything I have heard about it has been positive, except for the potential liturgical improprieties that you mention.

It is improper for people to come into the "sanctuary" and stand around the altar. That area is reserved for the ordained and those who are serving them. Each person has his/her role in the liturgy, and the role of the congregation is to kneel in adoration during the consecration -- not to be standing near the altar, taking a position that can be misinterpreted as that of being concelebrants with the priest(s). [I believe that this "standing around the altar" business grew out of a recent heresy wherein it is imagined that Jesus becomes present through the united action of the whole congregation. This is to clericalize the laity (especially to appease radical feminists) and to declericalize the ordained.]

Modern music (with a "beat") has been used at Masses since the 1960s, and it has not been forbidden. The essential things are the use of approved instruments, approved lyrics that are religious in nature, and reverence. I wouldn't settle for anything less than these.

As an old former organist who doesn't like music that draws attention to people and "performance" -- but rather to God alone -- my private preferences are (1) for choirs and instrumentalists to be as out-of-sight as possible, (2) for organ music far above guitar or piano, and (3) against all clapping/applause in church.

The Church has not used language to require nor to permit clapping during Mass, which is why I believe that it should be avoided. In our culture, clapping is associated with the stimulation of light-hearted emotions or with the approval of secular performances. In my opinion, these are not things fittingly linked with the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, which takes place in the Mass.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 23, 2002.


I have seen some not so good stuff about Lifeteen Masses in some articles in the Wanderer newspaper. Maybe it depends on the pastor and the people in charge. But why do Masses geared towards young people have to be so "with it" and "upbeat"? Why is there no sense of reverence cultivated in these kids? The same goes for the World Youth Day goings-on. I don't care if the Pope "approved" this stuff - call me old fashioned. Why do we have to stoop to the lowest elements of pop culture to attract young people. I grew up in the 70's and 80's and incorporating pop music into the liturgy would have totally alienated me.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), December 23, 2002.

I personally do not like the wanderer that much due to that it may be too negative in it's portrayal of the Church. There are few positive things which the wanderer reports. I am a person who enjoys the reverence of teh Latim Mass liturgy, but I don't think that today's teens can, where they are right now, appreciate that. I think that we should seek to have our teens somehow get in touch with Chriat. If there are ways to do this while staying in the realms of respecting the sacrtament and rules of the Church, well then, great! If it modern music is a way(note: I did not say "the only way") to connect teens with Christ, that it should be looked in to. Our teens today listen to all sorts of crap associated with Rock on the radio and at concerts, why not Christianize this "art" form as Christianity has with other previous means of human expression? I am not saying it is perfect, of the preferable way, but it is a way worth looking more in to.

Que Dios Le bendiga y feliz Navidad!

Joe

-- Joseph Carl Biltz (jcbiltz@canoemail.com), December 23, 2002.


Though I have little personal experience with the Lifeteen program, they have been repeatedly criticized from many orthodox Catholic quarters for the liberties they take with the sacred liturgy. From what I have read, plus my limited personal exposure, it sounds like the message they preach with their words is essentially sound; but the message they preach with their liturgical abuses is that submitting to Church authority is not really very important. Such an approach - "knowing Jesus is important, but listening to His Church isn't" - may very well lay the groundwork for eventual conversion to Protestantism by some of these kids.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 23, 2002.


Joe,
Merry Christmas to you too!
My reaction to the "Wanderer" is simliar to yours, if not exactly the same. I have taken a look at several issues through the years, and they always make me unhappy, because their main reason for existence seems to be "muckraking" -- exposing scandals, harshly criticizing bishops, etc.. I agree with you that the "Wanderer" also contains a mixture of informative, positive articles about the Catholic faith. But there is too much negative there to attract me to become a subscriber.
God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 23, 2002.

I agree with John that the Wanderer, like typical secular newspapers, does emphasize negative situations. However, I can't agree with Joe's statement that the paper is "too negative in its portrayal of the Church". On the contrary, the Wanderer is extremely orthodox, fully supportive of both the Church itself and the Holy Father. What it portrays negatively are situations that are negative by their very nature, and which in fact are in opposition to the Church. I agree that it would be nice to see more articles on good things that are being done in the Church and by the Church, rather then just bad things that are being done to the Church, usually from within. But the bad things that are happening are real, and we would do well to keep abreast of such situations.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 23, 2002.

Youths are the leaders of today's church not reserves of tomorrow. It is a high time that the church needs to catch the fire of the Holy Spirit that renew and revives the Catholic Church. The celebration of the eucharist needs to be more of a celebration than a mourning. This way, God is brought to life amongst us and forgo beyond the imaginary God we for so long keep in mind. We shall not limit God where He wants to work and the Lifeteen Mass is one of the place. As of being to up beat and being less venerative towards God the Father, this is not true as in the Lifeteen Mass as such occasions is practised during the celebration.

-- Laura Raymond Boin (lara_ray@hotmail.com), December 13, 2003.

Open letter to Life Teen participants, by Janet Inman, SFO

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. ...

Read the letter in its entirety at:

http://www.vci.net/~inmanmj/catholic/lifeteen02.htm

-- Nick (nixplace39@hotmail.com), December 13, 2003.


Here's some good examples of Lifeteen Masses & other activities.

Form your own opinions. I know I have.

-- jake (j@k.e), December 14, 2003.



1 Corinthians 8 thru 13:

Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part: and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), December 14, 2003.


Shaking of tamborines, dancing, hooting and shouting. Are they not joyful noise made unto God the Father? Yes indeed. Nevertheless, there is danger when one does not do it for the right reason, for instance, one is used to attend rock concerts. But then again, I wouldn't advice that we resist what the Holy Spirit inspires us to do. Discernment shall then come to practise. Regarding the understanding of the Eucharistic Celebration itself, i think we are capable of drawing people to understand Jesus and the Mass just by observing why some people are CRAZY about Him. They will come to learn and understand by faith.

-- Laura Raymond Boin (lara_ray@hotmail.com), January 13, 2004.

I missed this thread a month ago and am glad it has come back to the top.

My wife signed up to be a LifeTeen volunteer at our Parish as it was just starting and our son will be in high school next year. She wanted to see first hand what the program was all about to determine whether we would send our son or not.

Because of this, I have attended 2 LifeTeen masses at our parish and have absolutely hated them. The teens and adult leaders (well most of them - definitely not my wife) dress terribly. Not just jeans and sweatshirts, but the low cut pants, short shirts, and the guys have their pants about mid-butt. All teens are invited up at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer, and stay there until they receive the Eucharist.

There were many teens talking throughout the Mass and chewing gum. Not sure what they did with it at Communion time. So although they are there, I am not sure what they got out of the Mass.

Some of the problems at our parish is the women they hired to run the program is 21 years old, barely out of the program herself, and not well catechised. My wife (along with others) has had to point out the teachings of the Church many times during the preparatory meetings.

The good news. We have many more teens attending Mass regularly. The LifeTeen program itself does not teach anything contrary to the Church's teachings. However, the program is more of a social club than a catechist tool.

Our findings: My son will not be attending the LifeTeen Mass next year, but we may drop him off for the program. I would like to find a parish close by without LifeTeen for him to attend the Youth group meetings.

My $.02 as one of the long time posters used to say!

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), January 13, 2004.


The holy father gave his blessing to the Lifeteen program and I believe has attended Lifeteen Masses.

From what I do know, there are sometimes abuses in the program -- as there are at many Masses -- but I don't think you can blame Lifeteen for that.

-- AVC (littleflower1976@yahoo.com), January 13, 2004.


AVC,

Can you show me where the Holy Father has given his blessings? And I'm not so sure LifeTeen is not the reason for the liturgical abuses. I also attended a LifeTeen mass at another Church where the teens were also invited to the sanctuary during the Eucharistic prayer. Seems this is part of the program, to get the teens more involved.

By the way, at our parish, although the music is contemporary Christian, there is no clapping or shouting. I actually enjoy the music and attended the mass the ensemble (the band) celebrated at before they started the LifeTeen masses.

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), January 15, 2004.



From http://www.stthomaslifeteen.org/whatis.html

Pope John Paul II, Christian Pop singer Kathy Troccoli and Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns are just a few people who support Life Teen. During a pilgrimage to Rome in 1995, Pope John Paul II greeted Fr. Dale Fushek personally and bestowed his papal blessing on the Life Teen program. Since 1993, Kathy Troccoli has been the spokesperson for Life Teen. She is sharing the message of Jesus Christ and lifeteen with audiences across the country. NBA All-Star guard for the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Johnson, has been a constant supporter of Life Teen. He has been the honorary chairman for several different lifeteen projects.

From http://www.lifeteen.org/aboutbegan.asp:

LIFE TEEN is presented to Pope John Paul II. Father Dale, Phil, Randy Raus, and Kathy Troccoli take a group of 100 teens on a pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome. They are presented to Pope John Paul II at a weekly audience. The Holy Father gives his blessing on the LIFE TEEN program,

-- AVC (littleflower1976@yahoo.com), January 15, 2004.


Thanks AVC. A little surprising to me. I guess he's never had to endure a LifeTeen Mass. Or if he has, it wasn't in my diocese!

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), January 15, 2004.

" ..and have absolutley hated them.."

Thats sad Glenn, that you "hated" a Holy Mass! "Hate" is a STRONG word!

God bless you

-- - (David@excite.com), January 15, 2004.


I agree. I felt terrible typing it in, and I felt terrible being there.

I realize I shouldn't let the actions of others interrupt my participation in Mass, but I have my faults. When I see actions which are not in accord with Catholic teaching, I get upset. Then I ask Jesus to help me ignore the distractions, but it doesn't always work (at least right away).

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), January 16, 2004.


I have written an essay titled; "The Problem With Lifeteen." I'll be glad to share it with anyone who asks.

-- John Miskell (RomanRite@aol.com), January 16, 2004.

Yes Pope John Paul II has blessed Father Fusik and yes a group of Lifeteen members visited Rome. Yasir Arafat and Fidel Castro have visited the Pope too but that hardly means that the Pope endorses what they do. On the contrary, in November 1997 when American Bishops were in Rome for their ad limina visit the Pope said to them;

"[I]t is so important that the liturgical law be respected. The priest, who is the servant of the liturgy, not its inventor or producer, has a particular responsibility in this regard, lest he empty liturgy of its true meaning or obscure its sacred character."

-- John Miskell (RomanRite@aol.com), January 17, 2004.


Why are we caught up in the technicalities of things? A person's spirituality is worth more than anything and if it brings the teens closer to Christ, I'm all for it! You can see the Holy Spirit working through the fruits it produces.

-- Nobody (noemail@email.com), January 19, 2004.

The main problem I see with the Liturgical abuses is what happens when the teens become adults and the Mass no longer "centers" on them?

Or another question would be why should I obey the Church on the law of abstinence when I disobey her rules during Mass?

Why not simply do away with the LifeTeen Mass, and just have the LifeTeen meetings? Then the teenagers would have the social gatherings, a little catechism, and a fun time. Of course, during the meetings, it should be mentioned the neccesity of Sunday obligation.

-- Concerned (someone@somewhere.com), January 19, 2004.


I have been to Masses where very young children have been invited to sit around the altar for the liturgy, and thought it was pretty special.

If the clapping is part of the music (how many of you remember "All you peoples, clap your hands (clap, clap), and shout for joy, for the Lord has made all mankind one, so raise your voices high."?) I see nothing wrong with it, but I think it is inappropriate at most other times, as in "May I present Mr. and Mrs. So and So", or after baptisms.

I think that probably LifeTeen is an effort to compete with some of the large Megachurches you see --you know, the ones that seem to be the size of a Wal-Mart. LifeTeen is trying perhaps to be more "hip", and more fun, in an effort to keep these teens from leaving the Catholic Church entirely. Which begs the question, is it better to be a fringe Catholic, or a devout Protestant?

As far as attire, in most places even the lectors/song leaders don't dress up, never mind the congregation, except perhaps for Easter and Christmas, when the Easter Lily and Poinsettia Catholics attend Mass.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 20, 2004.


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