Sydney
14 July 2002
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School defies terrorism
Pope ‘force for freedom and good’
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Editorial: Tangled web
Letters: Catholicism and the Royal Family
Conversation: Never say never - always hope - Larri Hayhurst, nurse educator
Reflections: Justice: what it means to me
Earthcare - a call to ‘expand our vision’
Opinion: Where young and old share the joy!
Comfort zone
Embryos used to find ‘morning after’ pill
Stem-cell research: Warning of embryo use in human tests
Stem-cell research: Legislation provides for ‘destruction of embryos’
Stem-cell research: ‘Key principle’ at stake
Stem-cell research: Risks to egg and sperm
Resurrection and ‘last things’ in Catechism series
Sing? Yes! Sing-along syndrome? No!
Inspirations: Joseph, 8, gives up toys for Cebu kids
Opinion: Where young and old share the joy!
By Sean Finucane
Many people say that teenagers do not want to come to Mass or that the Church is dying. They obviously have not been to St Bernadette’s, Castle Hill, at six o’clock on a Sunday night.
A church full of people, young and old, will often spend more than an hour celebrating liturgy together. Even on the occasions that the 6pm Mass finishes at 7.20pm you will not find people leaving early.
This is not because they have arrived late and feel they have to put in the traditional hour for the Lord.
More than 20 musicians, most of whom are in their teens, arrive at 4pm to go over the songs they will use to lead the congregation - a mixture of fast and slow, new and traditional Catholic songs, some with actions.
But the most important thing is that they are songs that have been chosen to enhance the liturgy.
At 5.30pm the musicians, youth leaders and others involved in the liturgy gather around the altar to pray, usually to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we lead the congregation in worship.
Parishioners start to arrive at 5.30pm and are greeted at the door and encouraged to join in with the musicians as they go through the songs and Mass parts to be used that evening.
About 5.55pm the youth minister reminds people that Mass is about community and, as such, they should be saying “hello” and getting to know their Christian brothers and sisters around them.
There is a buzz of conversation around the church until Mass begins at 6pm.
During the celebration of the Eucharist high school teens and the young adult leaders are invited around the altar, holding hands.
About 100 usually come forward.
I have heard people complain about teenagers talking during Mass.
Wouldn’t you, if you could not see what was happening, did not understand what was happening, and did not feel welcome in the church?
Our teens have great reverence around the altar because we have taught them about the wonderful mystery and miracle of the Eucharist, and because they are close enough to witness it.
Many of the ministries of the Mass, such as reading, giving Holy Communion, music, ushering and money collecting are done by both young and old parishioners.
Kathleen Carmody’s front page report (Message is loud and clear - parishes must do more to attract young people, CW 19/5) said we need to turn to other Christian churches to find music to attract young people.
We have great Catholic liturgical music that suits the culture of teens but most Catholic churches are unwilling to use it.
This seems strange as the Catechism says: “The celebration of the liturgy therefore should correspond to the genius and culture of the different peoples.”
Margaret Howlan (Why spice it up? Letters, CW 9/6) says we should not change the Mass for teens and, not only that, we should not change it at all.
Firstly it is absurd to think the liturgy shouldn’t change, as it has been changing throughout time since Jesus first celebrated it.
Secondly Vatican II says we need to change it and celebrate it “with ever increasing vigour”.
Also the liturgy documents of Vatican II tells us what we can change - “some things are changeable (language, books, prayers, music, persons and places) while some are not (Scripture, bread, wine, prayer over the gifts, Eucharistic prayer, communion)”.
Marilyn Kerjean’s interview with youth minister Nicole Hellyer (After Rome 2000, a ‘leap of faith’, CW 9/6) implies that to be inspired in their faith young people need to fly halfway around the world and celebrate Mass with the Pope.
I went to the World Youth Day in Rome in 2000. This is not to say Rome was not a wonderful experience or was not worth going to, but I can assure you I receive more inspiration and am filled with the Holy Spirit more at a youth Mass at St Bernadette’s on a Sunday night than I was at any time during my World Youth Day experience in Rome.
As our Church teaches: “Liturgy is the source and summit of the life of the Church” (Vatican II Liturgy documents).
And to reach teens we need to make them feel welcome at Mass, have it suit their culture and let them participate fully, consciously and actively.
Jesus didn’t come to change the culture but to live in it and change the people’s hearts: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
Our Pope has demanded it when he said: “Youth ministry must be one of the primary concerns of priests and parish communities.”
Our Church also teaches that “liturgy is the fount from which all the Church flows” (Vatican II Liturgy documents).
So if we do make them feel welcome at our liturgies, and do it right, teens will not only get involved in all the other aspects of our faith journey, they will want to.
You will also find that many adults will as well.
Sean Finucane is youth minister of St Bernadette’s Parish at Castle Hill.