Engaging the Hearts, Hands and Voices of Youth and Young Adults in Liturgy2015 Diocese of YoungstownLITURGY DAYwith Cindee CaseDirector, Youth & Young Adult Ministryccase@youngstowndiocese.org

Opening PrayerO God of everlasting goodness, be with us at this hour of promise. You have called us to consider the younger members of our communities when we assemble for worship in your name. Renew in us a sense of awe in your presence, manifested in the sacramental life of our parishes.Just as your Son gathered his disciples in the upper room, So may we be gathered to give praise and honor to your name. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

What do you like most about Mass?What elements of the Mass are most meaningful for you?What do you recall of your experiences of the Mass as a teenager?

Pope Benedict VXI, Apostolic Exhortation On the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Churchs Life and Mission:The Eucharist is a mystery to be believed, celebrated and lived.

The ministry of prayer and worship

CELEBRATES and DEEPENS the young peoples relationship with Jesus Christ by bestowal of grace, communal prayer and liturgical experiences;

It AWAKENS their awareness of the spirit at work in their lives;

It INCORPORATES young people more fully into the sacramental life of the Church, especially Eucharist;

It NURTURES the personal prayer of young people; It FOSTERS family rituals and prayer (RTV, p. 44)

Liturgies:Defined: The public, communal and official worship of the Church (In Greek: A public work, or Service on behalf of the people)> Public as a sign in the community> Communal means we do not do this alone> Official in that the Church governs it Eucharistic Liturgy = MassSacramental celebrationsfuneralsLiturgy of the Hours official nonsacramental daily prayer of the Church (standard prayers, Scripture and reflections)

From Age to Age: The Challenge of Worship with Adolescents -- Principles for Vibrant Worship with Adolescents

1. Vibrant Worship with Adolescents Celebrates Their Involvement in the Churchs Life and Mission

How to learn of the Churchs Life and Mission?

ClassesHomiliesPractice of serviceOthers witnesses

How would you explain the Mission of the Church?Matthew 25:40whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.

Jesus Mission Statement (Luke 4: 18 19) as Christians to be more like Jesus: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,*because he has anointed meto bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Commissioning: (Matthew 28:19) Go, therefore,*and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy spirit, iteaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

VIBRANT WORSHIP WITH ADOLESCENTS INVITES AND ACCEPTS THEIR AUTHENTIC PARTICIPATION

From Age to Age: The Challenge of Worship with Adolescents -- Principles for Vibrant Worship with Adolescents

Opportunities for EngagementLectorsCantorsChoir membersUshers/GreetersMusiciansSacristan assistantsChurch cleaningGift bearers ServersE.M.E. (over 16)EnvironmentLiturgical committee

I love this quote in From Age to Age, adapted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Young people who exercise these ministries become signs of encouragement to their peers and signsof Gods continuing renewal of the church.

How to invite?I heard you signing at Mass and I think you have a great singing voice. Have you considered becoming a cantor (choir member)? I think you should..Here is the information on how to do this..Did I see that you are in the upcoming play at the high school/ college/ community theatre (or are a member of speech and debate club/ toastmasters) ? You should consider becoming a lector at Mass so you can use some of these great speaking skills! BTW: Do you offer flexible schedules/Is it easy to get substitutes?

The participation of the AssemblyNot all youth possess the charisms to be liturgical ministers, but all youth need formation to understand the ministry of the assembly. (For Ages Unending, 20)

CSL #14: The Church earnestly desires the full, conscious and active participation of all the faithful. In fact it is the aim to be considered before all else.

CSL # 48: The assembly should be fully involved in the liturgy

Reflecting on the Sunday Mass ReadingsShare Lectionary-Based Reflection tools,Any Given Sunday Project (teens)http://www.anygivensundayproject.org/The Five Loaves (adults)http://www.thefiveloaves.com/Creighton Universityhttp://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

Any Given Sunday (Teens)

The Five Loaves (Adults)

Creighton University

Sophia SketchPad: The Eucharist

http://youtu.be/QcB7Uem00n4

n 3. Vibrant Worship with Adolescents Attends to the Diversity of Ages and Cultures in the Assembly

Will talk more about music and symbols later, but also consider that they see who they are when they look at the ministers.

Only segregated Masses are not the answer what happens when you move to the next group?

CSL #37 - In the liturgy the Church respects the culture of the community gathered.

4. Vibrant Worship with Adolescents Roots and Fosters Their Personal Prayer Relationship with God

(Luke 11:1)

Four Movements of Formal Prayer/Structure of Liturgy1. Call to Prayer, Gathering2. The Word, reading3. Respond, ritual 4. Blessings, Sending Forth

Gregorian chantJournalingCCMNature WalksPraiseTaizeMeditationPetition

Busy-Persons retreatGrace Before Meals

Stations of the CrossCentering PrayerEucharistic LiturgyHoly HoursPenance Services RosaryLiturgy of the HoursPrayer & Praise NightsSmall Christian Communities Charismatic Prayer GroupIgnatian Spiritual ExercisesOnline Prayer BoardsSpiritual ReadingMonastic retreatsCampus Prayer RalliesLabyrinth WalksContemplationLive of the SaintsMusic MinistryOnline retreatsPrayer PartnersNovenasAdorationLiturgical MovementPilgrimageLectio DivinaBible StudiesReadings of the DayWitnessingParish Mission(Created by Cindee Case 2005)

A Variety of Prayer Styles under the Catholic Umbrella

The Gospels message is too rich to be contained within one paradigm. (E. Schillebeeckx)

5. Vibrant Worship Includes Effective Preaching of the Word(Clergy to create avenues to listen to the life experiences of all ages, including teens and young adults and incorporate them into homilies.)

6. Vibrant Worship Has a Youthful Spirit in Music & Song

What is your favorite Church song?

Diocese of Youngstown teens & young adults favorite Church songs: (2015, not 1985)Amazing GraceCity of GodOn Eagles WingsBe Not AfraidLord of the Dance Also repeated: Joy the World & other Christmas hymns, Lord Thy Kingdom Come, Canticle of the Turning, Hallelujah, Go Make a Difference, Sanctuary, Awesome God, Ave Maria! In 2005, Be Not Afraid, City of God, Here I am Lord and On Eagles Wings!

7. Vibrant Worship Incorporates Visually Dynamic Symbols and ActionsTalk about them. (Explanatory Mass)When appropriate, touch them(Church tours)

Experience the smells, bells, etc.

HOSPITALITY!!!!!!8. Vibrant Worship Has an Interactive and Communal Dimension

CSL #26 Liturgical celebrations are not private functions, but rather are celebrations belonging to the Church. Yes, PUBLIC, not PRIVATE challenging in our present society trying to regain a sense of communal over individualism.

GOALS OF MINISTRY WITH YOUNG ADULTS (Young adults are post-high school late teens, 20s and 30s)

Connecting Young Adults with Jesus ChristConnecting Young Adults with the ChurchConnecting Young Adults with the Mission of the Church in the WorldConnecting Young Adults with a Peer Community

Young adults told bishopsbefore they wrote Sons and Daughters of the Light:

Consistently, young adults speak of the life-giving power of good and prayerful liturgy and the pain an emptiness associated with poor liturgical experiences. (SDL 36)

The key ingredientsto a good liturgy are a welcoming community, celebrating in ones language, good music, and engaging homilies. (SDL 36).

What are you thinking?HOW DO YOU ALREADY ENGAGE YOUTH and YOUNG ADULTS IN YOUR MINISTRY SETTING?

What One Thing can you will you do to better engage youth or young adults in Liturgy?

Ideas to share/borrow:

The keysin a nutshell:

InviteEncourageAffirm

ThenTrainMentorSupportTeens/Young Adults need to be welcomed and valued in their faith communities. They need to hear the Good News and accept the transforming love of Christ.

Let me know if I can answer any questions after this session

Cindee Case, DirectorOffice of Youth & Young Adult Ministry144 W. Wood St, Youngstown OH 44503330.744.8451ccase@youngstowndiocese.orgFacebook:Youngstown-Youth Young Adults https://Twitter:@YoungInYtownPinterest:http://pinterest.com/youngstownyouth/Instagram: @CindeeNYoungstown

Quick side note on Engaging Parents:Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for their children. They have a unique responsibility for the education of their children; they are the first educators, or catechists.

(National Directory for Catechesis, p. 23)

the best social predictor, although not a guarantee, of what the religious and spiritual lives of youth will look like is what the religiousand spiritual lives of their parents do look like. Soul Searching, p. 261