Teens share ideas on how to improve parish-teen link

By JENNEANE BUTLER- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Parishes today need to be youth friendly or else they are going to push teens away from the Church. Parishes need to be more inviting towards teens and have more activities that would involve them. Teenagers like to feel that they are needed. I have a few ideas that I know are being used in a few parishes and some that I feel would be a positive addition to any parish.

One thing that all teenagers have in common is music. Everyone might not like the same music, but everyone enjoys some type of music. One way to hold the interest of teenagers in the church would be to form a youth band. This would encourage gifted teenagers to do something they enjoy and be of service to others at the same time. Along with the performing of the music, attempt to change the music. There are many new contemporary hymns that would appeal to teenagers as well as adults.

I had a chance to see a youth band perform this summer at the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) retreat a Pyramid Lake. The concert put on by the band lasted about an hour longer than it was scheduled to. This was not by choice of the band, but a choice that we the audience made. Everyone, young and old, was on their feet singing, clapping, praying and having much fun.

A dominant excuse that teenagers give for not going to church is that they don't have time. When you think about it, this is a very poor excuse, since Mass takes only one hour of the week -- though sometimes to teenagers it seems like you are stuck in a church forever. A solution to this problem is getting teens involved in the Mass itself. Teenagers should be encouraged to become altar servers, lectors and Eucharistic ministers. They should be told they are needed to help decorate the church for holidays and that their input is important on what hymns will be sung each week.

I used to help teach a children's liturgy at my church. It helped me to understand the readings and Gospels better because I needed to be able to explain them so that children would understand. A babysitting program for parents with children too young for a children's liturgy could be started. Parents could concentrate better at Mass if their children were being taken care of for them. Confirmation candidates could offer their services in this program also.

After teenagers are confirmed, they should be encouraged to become catechists. I am currently a catechist and have a great deal of fun doing it. It gives one a chance to get to know the children in your parish and their parents. I have to be a good role model, because there are children now that look up to me. In a small way, it gives you a feeling that you could be responsible for the future of your parish.

I believe that if programs were made known to teenagers, they might give them a try. If they do, then they will continue working within their parish. Teenagers will soon begin to actively be involved in their parishes and be a positive addition to the life of the parish. Eventually, it is hoped that as teens mature, their deepening relationship with Christ would stabilize parish commitments.

(11-05-98) [[In-content Ad]]