Contemporary Worship

[Truth and Reconciliation]

I went to a Catholic high school, where other than Mass, we had contemporary worship on special occasions. The nuns with their guitars would lead the student body in worship. It was a special service designed to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, and it just lit up the entire auditorium with my fellow classmates singing to contemporary Christian music. People were clapping their hands, jumping, etc. - stuff you'd see at a youth revival rally.

So I have a question - does your parish or Catholic organization (i.e. school) hold and sponsor contemporary worship at times other than Mass (i.e. in the evening) or on special occasions (i.e. fundraising events)?

And as a side question - I have made an observation that Catholics who listen to contemporary Christian music in general have a preference for the vocalist Michael W. Smith. Is my observation somewhat valid?

 

[InnerPhyre]

My old parish had a charismatic prayer service once a week (not a mass, just some lay people with guitars singing praise songs and praying aloud). I'm 100% for this sort of thing, but I think it needs to stay out of the mass. The mass should be solemn and reverent. As for MW Smith, I can't really say. He's ok, but I'd rather listen to Jeremy Camp or Third Day.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Michael W. Smith is my favorite singer.

But he was before I became Catholic too

 

[Miss Shelby]

And as a side question - I have made an observation that Catholics who listen to contemporary Christian music in general have a preference for the vocalist Michael W. Smith. Is my observation somewhat valid?

I DO like him. Did you hear his version of Gloria at Christmas time? It's awesome. And he's cute, too.

Michelle

 

[Rising_Suns]

I went to a Catholic high school, where other than Mass, we had contemporary worship on special occasions. The nuns with their guitars would lead the student body in worship. It was a special service designed to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, and it just lit up the entire auditorium with my fellow classmates singing to contemporary Christian music. People were clapping their hands, jumping, etc. - stuff you'd see at a youth revival rally.

So I have a question - does your parish or Catholic organization (i.e. school) hold and sponsor contemporary worship at times other than Mass (i.e. in the evening) or on special occasions (i.e. fundraising events)?

And as a side question - I have made an observation that Catholics who listen to contemporary Christian music in general have a preference for the vocalist Michael W. Smith. Is my observation somewhat valid?

I'd say as long as this worship is spearate from the Mass (as opposed to integrated) and the reverence of the Mass is preserved, then I see no problem with contemporary worship. In fact, I think it's perfect for the younger generation.

Also, I'd say your observation about M. W. Smith is accurate. although his music tends to be more generic in a 80'/90's-styled sort of way, which is perhaps why he is popular among the older crowd.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

IN the Atlanta diocese- once a week at primarily college Catholic Centers there is a group called Spirit and Truth- that is ADoration with contemporary praise and worship music. It is awesome! It also brings many people to begin adoration who wouldn't otherwise be there- laying the foundation forAdoration in silence later on or at other times throughout the week.

 

[Rising_Suns]

IN the Atlanta diocese- once a week at primarily college Catholic Centers there is a group called Spirit and Truth- that is ADoration with contemporary praise and worship music. It is awesome! It also brings many people to begin adoration who wouldn't otherwise be there- laying the foundation forAdoration in silence later on or at other times throughout the week.

I love Spirit and Truth; it's centered around adoration so that's why it is thriving so much. I used to go to the Southside S&T when I lived in Atlanta and it was great. The Catholic young adults ministry down there in general is just amazing.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I love Spirit and Truth; it's centered around adoration so that's why it is thriving so much. I used to go to the Southside S&T when I lived in Atlanta and it was great. The Catholic young adults ministry down there in general is just amazing.

Yeah- it 's pretty awesome..

I work with the UGA S&T- they are such amazing people!! I am always so insipired!

 

[Michael G]

Charismaticism and "contemporary worship" are fine outside of the Mass, but the Mass itself is a very solemn function and needs to be kept as such out of respect for the body and blood of Christ. I felt this way when I was Catholic and I feel even more so this way now that I am Orthodox.

 

[FullyMT]

On M.W. Smith, his music seems to have a Catholic style to it-or stuff seeming to be from Catholic origin...like his "Lord Have Mercy" song. I MW Smith is among my favorite Christian artists who aren't Catholic.

 

[Irenaeus]

Michael,

I am with you.

I am very wary when people mix the sacred and the profane.

I have one of Michael W. Smith's CD's and I listen to a lot of Christian contemporary music, even Hip-Hop. But for Mass, I am a dead set traditionalist.

 

[Michael G]

I am very wary when people mix the sacred and the profane.

I don't understand how people can claim the Mass (or Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for that matter) needs to be made more contemporary-as if it is not relevant to our lives? How can the bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ be any less relevant to our lives than it is? I say do holy things (sing devoutly and pray devoutly) during holy times (Liturgy) and do profane things (even if it is Christian music) during profane time. The blurring the lines between the sacred and the profane can not be a good thing.

 

[Gwendolyn]

LIFE TEEN.I definitely believe in the beauty and the solemnity of the Mass, but my parish has LIFE TEEN Masses every Sunday evening. It is a normal Mass in every sense of the word, except that our music ministry selects praise and worship songs either written or covered by modern Christian artists. They choose the songs very well - the lyrics speak entirely of the glory of God and His wonderful works and creations, praising Him and offering up our gratitude for His grace & mercy. I suppose when one hears the word "modern", many things may come to mind, but I assure you that this music fits perfectly into the LIFE TEEN setting.

What I think is most beautiful about the Mass is the fact that during the Consecration, the youth in the congregation are invited to gather around the altar in communion with one another. It is so intimate, so welcoming, and it is such a wonderful experience. I have heard some people question how appropriate that is, but the Seminary priests in the city during their Masses (which are always most traditional) do the exact same thing with their Seminarians. After peace, the youth go back to their pews and the congregation prepares for Communion.

I think it's an absolutely fantastic program, and I am a youth ministry leader with LIFE TEEN. I feel so blessed and honoured to be able to play a part in it because teens so often seek Truth, and they need a place to go where people will be able to accurately answer their questions honestly and openly without judging them. It is humbling to have the opportunity to be the instrument through which the Lord may choose to speek His Truth, because this world is absolutely starved for it and craves it so much!

 

[Godspeedgurl]

In my youth Group we sometimes have conteporary worship which is very cool it gets everyone focused.

 

[Irenaeus]

Dear Veritas,

I still hear that the gathering around the Altar is an abuse.

Personally, I don't see why different people "need" different types of Masses in order for their devotion to be inspired, or they have to feel part of a community when the Mass is especially highlighting a vertical dimension of man's worship of God...

I'm going to be quiet now.

 

[Gwendolyn]

Dear Veritas,

I still hear that the gathering around the Altar is an abuse.

Personally, I don't see why different people "need" different types of Masses in order for their devotion to be inspired, or they have to feel part of a community when the Mass is especially highlighting a vertical dimension of man's worship of God...

I'm going to be quiet now.

Hi Irenaeus

When I first became acquainted with LIFE TEEN, I was concerned about the gathering around the altar, so I first consulted my parish priests about it, and then I checked with the Bishop of the Diocese. The Vatican has issued no statement regarding whether or not it is appropriate for anyone (aside from priests and altar servers, that is) to gather around the altar at Mass, and the Bishop (let alone the parish priests) would most certainly never contradict anything that the Vatican had said, so it is currently acceptable. However, my priests assured me that should the Vatican make a statement, or should the Bishop advise them against it, they would not hesitate to change that aspect of the LIFE TEEN Mass.

Personally, I am perfectly happy no matter which "type" of Mass I go to - the only thing that really differs is the music. I find inspiration, comfort, and reassurance in both cathedral and small parish, in both the solemn and the LIFE TEEN Masses, because the sanctity and beauty of the Catholic Mass is perfectly preserved. However, since this religion of ours is so wonderfully loving, all-encompassing, and liberating, I do feel that it is an unfortunate thing if some of our own do not feel as though they can be included or welcomed into the Mass and the parish community. I firmly believe in upholding all of the wonderful things which have allowed Christ's Church to endure for two millennia, and I am not proposing any changes, but I certainly don't think that there is anything inappropriate about a loving, welcoming parish community deciding to open itself up in a different way.

In the however many years that my parish community has had the LIFE TEEN program, we have seen it grow from a very small group of people to an overwhelmingly large congregation that continues to grow every Sunday! Surely there is nothing wrong with that. I really get excited when I see new faces present who I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet, because it means we are doing something right!

 

[Godspeedgurl]

My Lifeteen doesn't gather around the altar any more, but I dont really care the pew i usually find more humbling because you get to truly look up at the sacrifice, such a humbling thing.

 

[MParedon]

This is from the Lifeteen website.

In a letter recently sent to US Bishops, Diocesan Youth Offices, Priests and Youth Leaders, Msgr. Fushek stated, "As the founder of this youth movement, I am writing to confirm our adherence to the new GIRM, and as always, our joyful obedience to our own local Bishops. In this spirit of obedience, we are asking all parishes that implement the LIFE TEEN model to make the following changes."

One of the most significant and visible modifications discontinues teens from circling the altar during the Eucharistic prayer.

 

[TexasCatholic]

Our LIFE TEEN has also stopped this practice. When I first attended Life Teen, I was 100% new to Catholic Church. Now that I know how it's SUPPOSED to be done, I definitely do not like the teens sitting up around the altar. It distracts the remainder of the congregation. I would consider it abuse.

-Michael

 

[Gwendolyn]

This is from the Lifeteen website.

Thank you VERY MUCH - I spoke with my pastor as recently as last month about this. Perhaps he was unsure about what we are to do, considering the fact that we are Canadian and the release mentioned specifically US Bishops, etc., and perhaps he misread the release. I really appreciate the fact that you posted that - I'll inform him asap.