I read a recent article about a priest who called for new strategies to keep young people in Church. I agree that this should be a vital aspect of parish ministry. Vibrant parishes usually have a lot for youth, a lot for older people, a lot for families, but outside of university campuses almost nothing for single or married younger people. As someone who is still barely a young adult, I want to unpack some of the arguments made by Fr. Cusick (who is quoted in the article).
1. Churches need better music, preaching, and hospitality- I don’t know what he means by this, but I would agree as long as I can define what constitutes “better!” If he means putting drums near the altar to play 1970s songs in 1990s style then most young adults would probably pass. Keep the liturgy traditional and dignified and save the hip and contemporary stuff for the coffee and conversation afterward.
2. Create “satellite” sites away from the parish for social activity and discussion- As long as he’s not talking about informal masses in someone’s garage, then I agree. Finding a place to connect, hang out, and build social relationships is important. In many ways, evangelicals understand that young adults typically don’t have families close by and need social contact through their communities. Catholic parishes outside of campuses would do well to understand this too and create opportunities for social connection and fellowship, like Theology on Tap.
3. We need a “new apologetics”- Once again, I agree, as long as he’s not talking about dumbing down. If he wants to teach the Catholic Faith to postmodern people in a clear way without compromising the Truth, then we here at Per Christum are way ahead.
Thoughts?
May 10, 2008 at 1:43 pm |
Well, when I was young not so long ago (I’m 35 now), I decided that I wanted Gregorian chant, incense and Latin. I have been turned off by “groovy” music since I got out of college (and since I dated a liturgical dancer! :o ). So I am not sure what “better” music would mean. In fact, I am completely uninterested in any phenomena that are regarded as “improved” or “better”. It is all the “better” stuff that make me want to desert my parish. I would be much more inclined to stay if everybody shut up and prayed instead of blabbing out the poorly contrived lyrics of insipid songs that somebody thought were “better”.
And with that cheery little note, a blessed Pentecost to you all! :)
May 10, 2008 at 2:50 pm |
Right on, Robpaxton.
May 10, 2008 at 4:42 pm |
Amen liturgical dancer groupie.
May 10, 2008 at 6:44 pm |
Some people have war-crimes on their conscience.
I have this.
May 11, 2008 at 4:04 am |
I’m a Protestant, and when someone from within my tradition says these types of things, they are called, “Legalists,” by others within the same tradition. Drives me crazy. Too often, “better” means, “more relevant,” which usually means, “popular.” Thus, the whole God centered aspect of worship is lost in favor of fads and trends.
I read Peter Kreeft’s, Catholic Christianity, a few years back, and was thoroughly impressed when he stood firm on worship being about God. We don’t have to like it; God does.
Good post with interesting caveats and suggestions. Thanks!
BJ
Stupid Scholar
Daily Bible Reflections
May 12, 2008 at 3:56 pm |
My thoughts:
Better music – Most definitely yes. I’m tired of getting cavities from the songs (not hymns) at mass. I think I’m in agreement with everyone here that by better music we don’t mean the 70s and 80s tunes we’ve been subjected to all our lives and no praise bands. There are lots of good, traditional hymns out there (but not A Mighty Fortress; no Luther, we’re Catholics dagnammit). Also, there’s nothing wrong with saying the Gloria or Sanctus; no more musical renderings that change the words and add 15 minutes to the length!
Related change that would be more attractive to (still young) me would be to get rid of the darn newsprint missalettes and “hymnals.” I know OCP has a near monopoly but their stuff is crap. Why do we need missalettes anyway and why should the parish provide them? This isn’t elementary school where everyone has to read along silently; it’s mass! Is 100’s of cheap missalettes purchased each year an expense the parish really needs? With the money saved real hard-bound hymnals could be purchased. If the order of mass is needed, the St. Michael’s Hymnal and the new Adoremus Hymnal from Ignatius have it printed inside. No crappy misallettes, and real hymnals, please!
“Satellite” sites – I don’t know about this. I think that the “social activities” should be at the parish. I think we need more parish bonding activities at the parish not away from it. Having a barbeque at someone’s house isn’t the same as at the parish. We need to build community not cliques. As far as “discussion” – we need to clarify terms. If he means Bible studies, then maybe those could be at other places. However, tying into #3, catechesis and other such things should be at the parish so we can fit everyone in. The typical parish has a lot of people.
“new apologetics” – Again, clarification of terms is needed. Catechesis beyond Confirmation and especially for adults would be a very good thing. Courses on true apologetics, how to defend and explain the faith, would be a great idea. It would also help with evangelization ‘cause we’d be better equipped to spread the true faith. Once the fullness of the faith is explained and how it all relates, the controversial (to the godless secular world) parts make sense. Nothing keeps us interested like challenging our intellects with the Truth.
May 12, 2008 at 7:39 pm |
-Why do we need missalettes anyway and why should the parish provide them?-
I was just thinking the other day, why can’t the parish sell real missals at reduced cost to registered parishioners? It seems like it would work economically. A registered parishioner is going to give the money back fairly quickly. Money spent on good missals for the people would be better spent than the money we spend on some other projects. Heck, we could make it a fundraiser!
May 13, 2008 at 10:57 am |
I recently had a funeral at the tiny country church where I have been assisting lately. The deceased had some very talented Catholic musicians in the family who sang impeccably C. Frank’s Panis Angelicus, Schubert’s Ave and the chanted In Paradisum. It was breathtaking!
What the ancient liturgy can do is beyond words.
May 13, 2008 at 6:44 pm |
25 years ago here in Washington, someone made reference to me of the morning and evening Mass at the Newman Center. I assumed evening Vigil and Sunday morning. Oh, no, I was correctly. 10:00 pm Sunday evening. Really? How odd I thought. But for college students it was perfect. Sunday afternoons/evening had become the quite time. Times not at loud parties but with friends — quiet dinner, conversation, fellowship and Holy Mass.
Years later, the young adults at St. Matthew’s developed a vibrant community at the 6:00 Sunday evening mass. Now two other parishes have the same. I’ve “crashed” these masses on occassion. I could not be more impressed on the enthusiaism, participation, fellowship and community among these young adults.
December 29, 2008 at 5:01 pm |
I found your comments searching for “keeping young adults in church.” I have studied that same list of Fr. Cusick’s website in my research on this subject this fall.
We are looking to connect with those ministering to Catholic young adults. Here in Texas we are working to begin a school for young Catholics to train them in Discipleship and Evangelization. My wife and I are recent converts to the Catholic Church and are now staff members with Youth With a Mission. Our leaders are totally open to setting up Catholic based training activities. There is a precedent for this overseas with YWAM, but not in the U.S. It’s called Kerygma Teams. We are leaving in a few weeks for India to train at an international level with other Catholic leaders who run these schools abroad.
We want to get to know other Catholic ministries in order to share what we are doing with each other. Please visit our website at http://alanandloriharris.com
Looking forward to communicating with any of you.