The issues around going to Mass can cause stress-or create an in-depth conversation. T Typically, Catholic parents want their teenagers to value their spiritual heritage and participate fully in their rich religious traditions. This Youth Update records an honest dialogue between a daughter and her father concerning the Mass. She poses the questions and objections. Dad tackles the answers.

Masses Seem So Much Alike

I feel like I'm just going through the motions and saying the words when everybody else does but they don't really mean much to me anymore because I'm so used to them."

Dad: I hate to admit it, but Mass can be boring at times. When we lose sight of what the Mass means, it can become a dull routine. The Mass celebrates the central article of our faith-that Christ died for the sins of humanity and by his Resurrection saved us from both sin and death. We believe that Christ is present sacramentally: really, truly, substantially and personally after the consecration of the bread and wine during Mass. Consider it this way: If you had an opportunity to meet a rock star, a U.S. President or a world-famous athlete at every Mass, you'd really be excited about going. Think of Christ as the hero of human salvation and as your personal rescuer, which he is. This might help you to find new reasons for attending Mass.

Nobody plans a victory party and forgets to invite the guests. I think of Mass as a chance for our friends, neighbors, relatives and classmates to come together and celebrate as a community. That's why your mother is so fond of certain Masses. They're times to be with her friends, to share the events of the week, to offer them during Eucharist. This, too, strengthens the bonds which form a community.

For me, Elizabeth, Mass offers an important time to reflect on the week's events: successes, discouragements, outside forces that seem immovable. Mass is my opportunity to put life into perspective. It's the best time for me to reinforce in my mind and soul my life's real priorities. I'm bothered by Masses where it seems like we're just "going through the motions," but often I'm happy to have an "official" time to reflect and give thanks.

I'm sure that you experience the same joy at the youth Mass where you know the kids and enjoy their company. Singing in the youth choir and seeing your friends give out communion, greet people at the door, lector and usher all add to your sense of participation. Gathering with the Christian community-which often includes your friends and family-is part of what Mass is about.

Elizabeth: But the Mass is pretty much the same week after week. Has Mass ever changed? Have Catholics always gone to Mass?

Dad: Some parts of the Mass hardly ever change. These parts, which follow the Prayers of the Faithful (all the baptized persons present) and lead into Communion, make up the Eucharistic Prayer. They recall Christ's actions at the Last Supper when he shared a meal with his disciples. At this meal Christ changed bread and wine into his body and blood. He said, "This is my body which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." This referred to the cross that lay ahead for Jesus. The Mass reenacts Calvary as well as the Last Supper. It is both a meal and a sacrifice.

Currently, the priest may select from eight versions of the Eucharistic Prayer, though some like one best and use it week after week. The first Eucharistic Prayer, the Roman Canon, developed gradually over the centuries. The other seven were composed after the Second Vatican Council.

Christ's first followers met in their Jewish house of worship (synagogue) just as their neighbors did and followed the same ritual or order of service. In the Acts of the Apostles (which is right after the four Gospels in the Bible), Luke, the author of Acts, describes how the Jewish leaders were troubled by the followers of Jesus preaching in his name. Gradually, Christians began to gather in the homes of believers, using the pattern of prayer and reading they already knew. This evolved into what we now call the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy of the Eucharist, based on Jesus' instructions at the Last Supper, can be traced to the earliest Christians.

It might cheer you up to know that the Mass is much shorter now than it once was-with fewer prayers, litanies and shorter sermons! Even in my own lifetime, the Mass has changed quite a bit. As a child, I attended Masses spoken entirely in Latin. Then, you needed a big missal-a book containing the Mass prayers in English just to follow along. The priest said much of the Mass with his back to the people.

As best I can tell, the followers of Jesus felt that his plea at the Last Supper was a reason to gather weekly-if not more often. The growing Christian Church eventually set guidelines for worship and weekly attendance at Mass.

Seems Like More Than a Meal to Me

What does all that talking at the beginning of the Mass have to do with a Eucharistic meal? Who chooses the readings at Mass? Is there some kind of system? People from the congregation read the first two readings, so why does the priest read the Gospel?"

Dad: In the earliest Christian times, "all that talking" which we call the Liturgy of the Word often took place apart from the Eucharistic meal. Over time, the two main sections of today's Mass, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, were combined into one celebration.

The sharing of Scripture is a very ancient tradition based on the Jewish custom of reading the Torah and the Prophets in the synagogue. Jesus himself proclaimed the Word there. He read a passage from Isaiah predicting his coming, then rolled up the scroll and announced to his stunned audience that "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21).

In the Latin rite celebrated by Roman Catholics, a liturgical committee has designated the readings for each Sunday. The book containing the readings-called the Lectionary-is based on a three-year cycle. This year, for instance, is Cycle C. The committee carefully chose these readings to highlight the most important messages from the Bible.

The first reading is nearly always a selection from the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures (except during the Easter season, when it is taken from the Acts of the `'Apostles). This reading reflects the earliest roots of our faith, reaffirming the promises and teachings given to our spiritual ancestors, the people of Israel.

The second reading comes from the letters of St. Paul or other New Testament writings and generally includes instructions to the new Church and to us.

The third reading, a passage from one of the four Gospels, contains the key message of the entire liturgy. The first and second readings are designed to introduce and reinforce the central message proclaimed in the Gospel.

Thirty years ago, and for centuries before that, the priest read the entire Liturgy of the Word. Today, in most churches, lectors from the congregation read the first two readings as members of the early Church did. Today it is usually a priest who assumes Jesus' role in proclaiming the good news of the Gospel.

Elizabeth: Sometimes the homily is long and boring and has nothing to do with the lives of teenagers. It seems like the priest is talking to adults only.

Dad: Sometimes the homily is too long and it loses me, too. A priest friend once told me that he learned in the seminary that a good homily should last only seven minutes. Even he rarely kept to that time frame, but he was a dynamic speaker and people were anxious to hear his insights.

But each priest has varied talents just like you and I do. One priest may have a dynamic voice and an inspiring message while another may speak too slowly or in a monotone. This same priest may be exceptionally helpful and comforting in one-on-one counseling or in some other role.

Each priest tries, with varying success, to make his homily apply to all our daily lives; but there is a strong tendency to address adults and the problems they face. Sometimes the priest succeeds in applying the Gospel message to young people's lives; other times he gives his same homily, with little allowance for his audience. So you may have to pinpoint the message for yourself. Being able and concerned enough to do this is a mark of spiritual maturity.

Many priests clearly do understand and relate to the problems teens face. Ibu can also take initiative: Sign up for parish teen retreats and other activities where these priests are present and speaking to your needs and interests. This would include Youth Day at religious education congresses and similar events in dioceses throughout the country.

Elizabeth: Music affects my mood-and that of other people-during Mass. The music at some Masses is so old and slow that it's hard for young people to feel comfortable with it. Why can't it be lively and energetic the way it usually is at the youth Mass?

Dad: Music helps set the mood at any Mass. Because not everyone has the same musical tastes, many congregations have a variety of liturgies to meet different musical preferences. We have a Sunday Mass featuring an adult choir that sings standards and traditional songs, many of which are centuries old. The early morning Mass at our parish has little singing at all. One Mass has a folk, almost country-gospel tone with guitars and contemporary religious music. The youth Mass, as you know, has a large choir with a repertoire of newer, fast-paced songs. It's a good sign that many of our parishioners choose their Mass by musical styles rather than convenient times. I notice, too, that many people as old as your Dad (if not older!) prefer the youth Mass. They may enjoy the livelier tone. But tastes do vary.

Curious Customs and Odd Jobs

A lot of things happen at Mass that people just do by habit-they don't seem very meaningful or they're hard to explain. For example, why do we genuflect when we enter the pew, and kneel after communion, and stand during the Alleluia? Who can distribute communion and what do they do with the leftover communion? Why do some Masses have both the host and wine at communion? Why does the priest wear different vestments different weeks? Why is the collection basket taken to the altar with the wine and hosts? What are all the candles for anyway?"

Dad: We genuflect when we enter the pew as a sign of respect for Christ's presence in the tabernacle. Then we might kneel for a few moments to help focus our attention on the Mass and away from distractions at home or school. Kneeling after communion shows reverence for the Body of Christ which we have just received. And we stand and rejoice during the Alleluia, a song of triumph and celebration; kneeling and sitting seem more appropriate for quiet reflection.

Eucharistic ministers who distribute communion are appointed by the pastor from the congregation. They serve the Eucharistic meal in the same way their early Christian counterparts did.

The hosts that remain are the consecrated Body of Christ and are kept in the tabernacle. Some will be distributed to the shut-in and the sick. The Precious Blood is usually consumed by the celebrant or the ministers of the Eucharist. Because it is consecrated, it can't just be poured out or thrown away.

Many churches have begun to offer communion under both species (the bread and wine) as a clearer symbol of the Body and Blood of Christ. Keep in mind, however, that either the consecrated bread or wine is both the Body and Blood of Christ.

The priest's vestments usually reflect the seasons of the Church's liturgical year. Purple vestments may symbolize Advent or Lent, for example. Green and white tend to predominate in "Ordinary Time" through much of the year.

At our parish, the collection basket is taken to the altar with the gifts of bread and wine as a symbol of the Church's collective "work of human hands." It is the people's contribution to maintaining the work of the Church created by Christ.

The candles symbolize the "Light of Christ," which freed all people from sin and despair. For example, the candles sometimes set on both sides of the lectern during the readings symbolize the Word as the light of hope and salvation. The Gospel of John equates the "Word of God" with "the light of the human race" (John 1:1-4).

It Can Get Better and Better

So how do I make Mass a better experience for me? What can one person do anyway? And what about my friends who come from parishes where there isn't even a youth Mass?"

Dad: Sometimes the road to spiritual maturity requires some very practical steps. Just like a teacher, I've thought of seven steps to make the path easier!

1. Attend. Do attend the youth Mass whenever possible. It is designed to meet your needs. If your friends don't have one at their parish, invite them to join you at your parish.

2. Participate. Get involved and serve at the youth Mass, or at any of the Masses in your parish. The choir is always looking for enthusiastic voices. Ushers and greeters only need a friendly, helpful personality. Lectors and Eucharistic ministers need some training but almost anybody who wants to engage in these ministries can learn how. Altar servers, banner carriers and sacristans (who prepare the church for services) are needed, too.

3. Inquire. If you don't understand why something is done, ask an adult who is likely to know. Most intelligent adults respect and admire healthy curiosity. There are times when the adult may even have to research the answer-like I've had to do with some of your questions!

4. Celebrate. To me, teenagers always seem able to have a good time. So carry that attitude to church. Enjoy the community aspect of Mass. Join your friends after Mass to talk and share what's been happening all week. Take the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Mass is a social occasion as well as a spiritual one.

5. Listen. Hear the Word when it is proclaimed and pay attention to the homily. Focus on the spiritual message and look for practical applications to your own life.

6. Remember. Don't let your actions at Mass become routine. Remember the symbolic meanings underlying your actions-from the Sign of the Cross to the dismissal.

7. Practice. Live the Mass. Carry the message of peace, human dignity, personal integrity and the value of life and love into your daily life as you relate to your family and classmates.

Elizabeth: I guess, Dad, that you're reminding me that the Mass can be a lot more than a repetitive routine. I know that Mass does mean more when I get involved and really participate with my whole heart.

Robert W. Smith is an elementary school teacher and free-lance writer. Elizabeth G. Smith is a sophomore at Rosary Catholic High School in Fullerton, Calilbrnia. Her spec ial interests include acting, writing and reading. She sings with flit, youth choir at St. John Viannev Parish.

Youth Update advisers who previewed this issue, suggested changes and asked questions of the author are Andrea Barn( klow. Jeruiv Burwicrkel, Lisa Hornberger and Fred LaRuffa. All arc, members of Hoh Name Parish in Blanchester. Ohio.