[ YOUTH MASS ]
Music (continued)
While every Mass around the world has many things in common, each offers a unique type of music, a result of hundreds of musical styles and resources, as well as the instrumentation and style of the musicians. This diversity is very much treasured and encouraged by the Church, as written about in several documents on music and liturgy from the bishops. From Gregorian Chant to Christian folk to Gospel to modern rock worship, they offer Catholics a variety of expressions of the soul unique to each parish and to the expression of the community as a distinct part of the whole body of believers. As explained by the Catechism, the Liturgy is always an expression of
the worshiper's acceptance of God's call of communion; namely, that diversity is treasured in participation of
the Eucharist. One very visible sign of this is the change from a
universally Latin Mass to a Mass said in the regional dialect of the
indigenous people. The Church is a diverse Body, and as such, we
worship as one in the Eucharist, but have many different expressions
thereof.
Our Youth Mass at Emmaus is contemporary in style, and though it appeals to many in every age group and background, it does not appeal to everyone. A majority of the music we play is current and relevant in youth ministry today -- the youth might here it at a conference, on the radio, or at another parish's youth Mass. They might even bring non-Catholic friends to Mass with them that recognize some terrific worship songs written by non-Catholics that work really well in liturgy. This offers worshipers the possibility of integration into other areas of living besides just the Mass itself on Sundays. We try to incorporate this music into other areas of youth ministry -- retreats, adoration, youth group -- as much as possible. This music is always intended to draw people into prayerful worship and draws it’s life from Catholic teaching and from Scripture.