Last night I went to a youth gathering called Xlt. Our diocese will be implementing the program starting next school year. These will be monthly youth gatherings at different parishes, consisting of music, preaching, and adoration, modeled after what takes place at World Youth Day and other Church-sanctioned events for youth. I am always a little cautious when participating in programming like this, but I thought the event was well-done. Why am I cautious? Because in the past I have seen programming that was so silly and trendy compared to regular parish worship that it was embarrassing. At any rate, we started out with singing, then two priests talked about Eucharistic adoration, and the evening concluded with actual adoration (including singing the Divine Praises). This was a preview for parish and school leaders, although we brought some youth along.
I think Xlt is a good idea, even if it may be a tad trendy. The more I actually deal with youth on a regular basis, the more I think young people need to be able to connect with Catholic peers, and have Catholic teaching reinforced at events like this. Ideal or not, many teens are not learning the faith in the home, and events like this may be the only exposure they get to solid Catholic Teaching. Also, it is good to see young people getting into adoration, even if it takes a special event like a monthly gathering to get them into it. There was even quite a bit of Latin included in the songs. On the way home a few students asked about the Latin, and what the phrase meant. It was a good springboard for discussing Latin and Latin prayers. I admit that I am a teacher, and could never make it as a youth leader, but I applaud the youth leaders that planned this event!
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
Chad Toney
Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
May 15, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Yikes; it’s part of LifeTeen! Run away!
May 16, 2008 at 6:13 am
There’s nothing wrong with being trendy, if it preaches the truth. Things like this do a lot of good.
May 16, 2008 at 8:54 am
I agree wih Jeffrey. As the mom of two teen boys, I am very excited to learn about this program. I have alerted my pastor and our parish youth ministers to it, and I have even volunteered to help out (which may turn out to be a big mistake, LOL).
Thanks, Per Christum folks, for posting this info!
And BTW–LifeTeen has apparently cleaned up its act, per the USCCB’s orders. So, I think it should be just fine. I’m in a very conservative diocese, and some of our most traditional parishes have LifeTeen programs.
Anyway……
May 16, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I don’t suppose the parish was named St. Joan of Arc was it? If so then I was there too.
May 16, 2008 at 2:50 pm
James:
Yes, it was at St. Joan. I probably saw you. Our group sat near the front right. What did you think?
May 17, 2008 at 9:58 am
Hey, Diane, I’m glad to hear they’ve straightened up; still, I’ll let your kids be the mine canaries. Let me know how it goes, okay?
May 17, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Jeffrey,
I have never seen “trendy” produce any lasting fruit…I HAVE seen it ALWAYS produce people with bad taste. We’ve had enough of that, I think.
May 17, 2008 at 9:57 pm
David,
I was at the front on the left hand side with the group that “Indy” was with.
I am not really a big fan of praise and worship music in general. In fact, most Sundays you will find me attending a Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. But, I have volunteered with a Life Teen program in another parish for maybe 8 years now. I was pretty impressed with XLT. I don’t know that I would really consider it to be too trendy. Some praise and worship music, a talk, and then adoration and Benediction. It is really traditional compared to what teens tend to see in most parishes these days.
The biggest thing that I would have changed would be a little more time for silent adoration. But, I believe that is actually the plan. Things were sped up a bit this time as it was just a sneak peek.