Mass Problem

They are only culpable if they actually have the ability to get themselves to Mass. They must ask their parents and make an effort to see if they can get transportaion-but in essence they are not likely commiting mortal sin.

That being said...I would spend time talking about the Laws of the Church...stressing again and again that to fail to do these things is grave matter. And also to talk about the awesomeness of Mass...

Let those kids see that you love the Mass, let them see that the Mass matters to you...even if they do not attend now- perhaps later in their lives when they are empty and lost - your joy and enthusiasm will be remebered and they will wander home.

You job is only to guide as you can- teaching the truth with great love and reverence. It is the parent's primary responsibility to teach their childre - to raise them in the faith.

Perhaps it might be a good time to send a letter home to charitably remind parents of what they promised at their child's baptism...

Even if they are not culpable they have to know. Let them know that missing Mass is a mortal sin under conditions, as many of them will perhaps have mum or dad asking them to go and them refusing.

Tell them straight that they need to go to confession frequently.

Tell them about the Mass, explain it as the Sacrifice of Christ made present again in an unbloody manner.
Mass isn't meant to be entertainment.

Make sure to have prayer and adoration of the Blessed sacrament in your youth group activities, pray the rosary with the boys and help them to understand meditation.

The grace of God brings people round, and this comes from prayer and sacrifice, encourage them in this. You could know missing mass is a mortal sin (make sure they do know) but without the grace they will get no where.

Markh said:

Even if they are not culpable they have to know. Let them know that missing Mass is a mortal sin under conditions, as many of them will perhaps have mum or dad asking them to go and them refusing.

Tell them straight that they need to go to confession frequently.

Tell them about the Mass, explain it as the Sacrifice of Christ made present again in an unbloody manner.
Mass isn't meant to be entertainment.

Make sure to have prayer and adoration of the Blessed sacrament in your youth group activities, pray the rosary with the boys and help them to understand meditation.

The grace of God brings people round, and this comes from prayer and sacrifice, encourage them in this. You could know missing mass is a mortal sin (make sure they do know) but without the grace they will get no where.

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The reason I make that distinction about culpability (which is not an excuse for failing to teach the truth in reverence and love)...is that I have heard many an adult who I have taught- tell me that they left the Church because someone told them as a child that they or their parents were in mortal sin--often over things which were not things about which they had control.

Adolesecents have great BS meters--and just as they will not respond to the watering down of truth--they also will not respond to the manipulation of truth. Both are equally as likely to cause them to turn away from the faith. Mortal sin always and forever requires three inseperable aspects- and it is absolutely impossible for one on the ouside to know whether or not the action of another contains all three aspects of mortal sin. I can never look at another person and tell them that they have commited mortal sin- because I have no insight into their freedom, nor of their depth of knowledge. I can only tell them that their actions involve grave matter...

Sorry Mark- but it is a pet peeve of mine having Catholics going around telling other people that they are in mortal sin- it so lacks in true understanding of the complexities of God's mercy and in charity. Speak out that things are grave matter- but beware of condeming people to hell...for the measure by which we measure others will be the one with which we are measured...

Just curious, do you know if they attend Mass at all on Sunday, maybe with their family at another Mass during the day or at another parish, and then go to youth group stuff afterwards?
Sometimes I've thought that kids aren't going at all, but really they are going to an earlier or later Mass.

Can't really give any helps or anything. Sorry.

hey. well, i think you should definetely encourage them to go, although trust me, a lot aren't. when i went to CCE [which is our program we had to take to become confirmed] almost none of the students went to chruch. a lot of it had to do with the parents not going as well.

so yeah, i would encourage it, but don't be surprised if they don't show up.

good luck!

GorrionGris said:

Thanks

It's unlikely for the boys I attend to be in mortal sin, between other reasons, I don't think they relise what is the Eucharist is about...

...yet what I was looking for is more in the line... how do you share that thing you feel in the Eucharist?

Prayers, yes, we do

...adoration? Well our meetings are once per week, friday evening, almost right out school, and I feel like iffy about them settling down enough... these boys are 12... besides it's something it is not often done, so I'll have to ask the use of the chapel...

I don't know if you know but Europe is pretty unreligious right now. Even some of the kids who I am talking you about have divorced and / or not-so-religious parents. I mean those who attend Mass sometimes attend alone.

I think I will try to bear witness of what Mass is all about... this very friday and work on from that point.

Keep me and my group in prayers, please

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Just remeber that your job is mainly one of planting seeds...talk to them....really talk to them. Tell them the difference the EUcharist has made in your life. Tell them about the difficulties which God's grace in the sacraments has helped you to withstand.

Also--and vitally important, in my opinion-- is to introduce them to the Saints. Find young Saints, who might be role models- Saints who became Saints as young men...Bl. Pier Frassati, St. Aloyisus Gonzaga, St. Tarcisius, St. Domninic Savio...and I am sure there are lots more. I have yet to see young people unmoved by learning about people their own age who became Saints-- that holiness is not something just for old ladies....

I shall pray! I know how exasperating it can be...

...and most of all- love them! Love those boys!

They only 12yrs old, I think that is a problem you should (if you can) address with the parents.