December 1988 Print

Edited by Mary E. Gentges

The following article appeared in the youth section of The Leaven, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, on October 14, 1988. It describes a game being played at a " Catholic" youth meeting. If at first, you think the author is joking about the game "Musical Boys" being "a valid expression of the Church," read on! He's deadly in earnest about it! In another edition of The Leaven, we learned that the author, Robert Doolittle, is a "youth minister" at St. Agnes Church in Reading, Massachusetts.

Readers will note the new use of the word "Church" in the article. It has become one of those new ambiguous, vague, impossible-to-define buzzwords that has a Protestant sound about it—your "church experience" or your "church life." In the slippery new jargon, we suppose that all one's parish/religious experience, as "Church," even if they have nothing to do with the worship of God. To the new Catholic, "Church" apparently takes in a lot of things happening at the church premises, including something as disgusting as "Musical Boys."

The article is a graphic example of what has happened to Catholics' religious understanding (and to linguistics as well) in less than a generation. Twenty years ago, to say we were "going to Church," or we were "in Church," always meant something sublime.

It still does to students at Saint Mary's Academy, operated by the Society of St. Pius X at St. Marys, Kansas. When Headmaster Father de la Tour shared this article with high school students at the Academy, asking them to write letters to the editor in response to it, their replies were most gratifying. Students made many excellent points revealing their understanding of what this life is all about, of the purpose of religion, and of proper Catholic behavior. It was difficult to choose the top eight letters (four from the Upper Girls' School; four from the Upper Boys' School) to be sent to The Leaven. We think our readers will find the St. Mary's students' responses interesting reading... but first, the article from The Leaven:

 

Games Kids Play at Church
by Robert Doolittle

Please read the following and decide if you think it's a valid expression of Church.

You walk into a youth meeting and find a circle of people laughing and cheering as two girls stalk warily around a boy on his hands and knees between them on the floor. At a signal both leap for his back, the quicker one holding him around the middle and hanging on for dear life, while the slower one tries to pull her off and claim the poor lad for herself. After a brief struggle, one emerges victorious.

You have just witnessed the climax of a game called Musical Boys, and you might well walk in on such a scene in some parishes I know. It's just like Musical Chairs, except instead of chairs you start off with a tight circle of boys, head to head on their hands and knees, with one less each time so you have the same mad scramble for spots, except this time it's a boy's back and the girls have to hold on to keep their man.

But is it Church?

Of course it is. Games like this do very good, very healing things for people. I'll name two big benefits just for starters.

1. A game like Musical Boys (even just the title) quickly wins friends for the Church. A lot of young people hold back and don't trust that Mother Church wants you to enjoy life this life. And you're especially not sure she wants you to enjoy life under her roof.

You may think all she really wants is for you to get your beliefs and behavior straight so you can enjoy the next life. Well, one good, rowdy, crazy game throws that thought right out the window and says clearly: Church is about all-out good times.

2. And to any doubters who may say, "Fine, but how do games serve the Church's great spiritual purpose?" here's the second big benefit. When people get playful and laughing, and, yes, physical, the atmosphere gets very relaxed and comfortable and open. People can be themselves. A feeling of community develops.

It becomes much easier for teens to go on to think together about their deepest questions, and even pray together about their deepest concerns. And if that isn't Church, what is?

Now let's get really frank. A lot of young people reading this go to parish programs with no feeling of community at all. You have well-intentioned teachers and leaders, but there's an important truth they haven't learned. Without good things happening between people, kids hate to be there.

But listen, you dissatisfied ones. With what you're feeling, you could do something great. Most adult Catholics are a lot more reachable and open than you realize, for two good reasons. For one thing, Vatican Council II has been moving the whole Church further and further into "community" ever since the 1960s.

Second, most adults know that if we don't listen to you we'll lose you, as we've already lost so many. That's a sadness being felt all across the country in homes with grown children, and it has made us more humble and open as we think about your needs.

So be bold enough to bring the Gospel to your elders. They may never have heard that enjoyment of life is right at the core of the Gospel: "Ask and receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24). Pray first, then go with love and courage, and ask for the joy of community.

Bring along this article if you like. You can pass along this address for community building resources: National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 3900 Harewood, Rd., Washington, D.C.

And now for some sense... We sincerely wish we had room to print every word of every letter which the students at St. Mary's Academy directed to the Editor of The Leaven. However, we'll do the next best thing and give you excerpts from all of them!

Joe Gardner, sophomore at St. Mary's Academy, said in part:

...The game referred to was "Musical Boys." The author says that the title itself quickly wins friends for the Church. The Church does not want to convert people by this kind of nonsense. Christ wants us to come to Him through His grace and the Sacraments.

The author claims "Church is about all-out good times." That implies that since Christ has redeemed us we don't have to worry and can just have fun. The idea that the Church is about all-out good times is absolutely false. Christ has redeemed us from original sin, but we must still lead good and virtuous lives. Up until the moment we die, there is always the chance we may fall into grave sin. If we die in this state of sin, then our soul will most certainly plummet into hell.

On the game itself, the article says that when the kids get physical, then they relax and can be themselves, and then later they can pray together. What kind of preparation for prayer is this? There is no mention of God here. It is completely centered on man. To truly prepare for prayer, we should be quiet and put ourselves in the presence of God.

In closing, I would like to say that games of this nature most certainly have nothing to do with Church. Most people with a reasonable amount of decency would not play such ridiculous games even if they were at a party. But to play it at "Church" and call it part of their "religion" is gross disrespect toward the true Catholic Religion. It is no wonder that so many Catholics have fallen away from the Church. One would have to shudder to think of the wrath of God upon those who, by their false ideas of religion, have led so many of the youth of the Church astray.

Well said, Joe! An 11th grader, Jason Klein, had this to say:

...Not once is there any mention of Our Lord in the article. I believe the writer said, or better yet, he asked, "Is this Church?" He answered, "Of course it is." But if he had any concept of what Church is about, it's not about girls chasing boys around. Where is the piety, the holiness, that these children need so much today? Where is it in the game "Musical Boys"?

Today, more than ever, young adults want something to hold on to, and the only thing worth holding on to is Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church, not our neighbor in a game of "Musical Boys." You are not fostering the love and charity of Jesus Christ in this game; where is God represented in this game you play as part of "Church"?

Louis G. Massett, a 9th grader, made some excellent points too:

I don't think this game of so-called "Musical Boys" should be played in a Catholic group of teenagers. This game could lead them away from God to bad consequences. Catholic boys and girls should not do such immature things as jumping on someone's back and fighting to stay on. I could understand if they were a group of pagans, but not for Catholics... The Church should stop worrying so much about the "community" for a little while and start teaching more about modesty and purity. The world sure could use it.

Senior, Chris Pedersen, had this to say:

...In truth, this article only confirms the dilapidated state of the post-Vatican II Church... In this article there is absolutely no mention of God. It shows how the Church has become a self-centered, man-oriented religion. Our entire purpose is to adore God, and in so doing, to save our souls. But these games are entirely of self, with no further attempt of direction toward God! Our intellect must control our passions or it will be impossible for us to do the will of God. Penance, sacrifice, and mortification are the means by which we can restore our soul to its proper order, with the intellect dominating the will. Yet this article refers to sacrifice and mortification as being an ideal of the past. The New Church teaches "good times" in this life as being the end of our existence. Why are there so many teen-age suicides? It is because of the emptiness without God. No soul can be at peace without the spiritual life and love of God.

Maura Murphy, also a senior, wrote:

I have read the article... and know that it is definitely not a valid expression of church.

In your first point you bring up that young people are not sure that Mother Church wants them to enjoy life. Well, I am a 17-year-old young person and I can say without a doubt what Mother Church does want. She wants the sanctification of souls through prayer and sacrifice. "Take up your cross and follow Me." These are Christ's very words.

Now, hear me out. I am not a religious fanatic. At the same time we must be aware that God wants us to be happy. The saints were the happiest people on earth, and yet it was not necessary for them to play Hide and Seek between the pews to find their happiness...

A sophomore, Virginia Mortensen, asked a most pertinent question:

Ask yourself truthfully now are playing games, or praying and sacrifice, along with practicing the virtues more liable to help us reach our goal God?

Michelle Sus, a senior, said:

I found the October 14 article... appalling... In "Musical Boys" the Church is brought down to the animalistic level of those participating, instead of the people being inspired to raise their thoughts to God... As for winning friends for the Church by playing games, the Church does not need game-players. The Church yearns for people who are striving for the salvation of their souls... Yes, we should have good, clean fun with our friends, but the behavior described is scandalous to any person with a sense of common decency...

Lisa Fangman, also a senior, had another good question for the author of the article:

When asked by Robert Doolittle... to decide if such games were a valid expression of the Church, I would, in turn, have to ask him if he were a Catholic. A true Catholic does not need to play games at "church" because he kneels in reverence during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is surely the finest, the most beautiful, and the most sacred, expression of the Church. It is, however, no wonder that Catholics now feel the need to play as a part of their church experience when one looks at the shallowness of the new liturgy... The article also says that "the Church is about all-out good times." But cast a glance at the Crucifix, and you will see that the true joy of a Christian comes from something much deeper than a "good, rowdy, crazy game."

Amy Praschak, 10th grader, said:

Church is a place where you adore God alone and forget about yourself for an hour a day. Never mind what your neighbor is doing; God should have your full attention.

Senior Marlene Nakelski:

The sole purpose of the Church is to make saints. It is not to play pagan games. Yes, children do need to play games, but they also need spiritual food which games do not provide for them...

Anna, a junior, certainly made a valid observation:

"Musical Boys" is not good. It brings young girls and boys into too much physical contact. It destroys any femininity (which has been called modesty) in the girl, and lowers her to a scrambling, fighting animal...

Freshman Ellen Fangman said:

Instead of being given the beauty of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, they... play ridiculous games. If this is what the Church is using to draw people to the Faith, they may as well be attracting them to a playground, for that is all they are accomplishing.

Veronica McKervey, senior, said:

How sad it is to see that the so-called "church" has to stoop down to the level of teenagers to make "friends." For one thing, Christ did not found His Church to make "friends." He founded it to make Saints...

Brigid Leake, a junior, said:

I am a fifteen-year-old junior in high school and I know that those games would not bring me any closer to God!

Denise Fryzelka, senior, said:

Does an open, relaxed atmosphere bring about saints? Good people should be themselves always, but only if that self is Christian...

Junior Rob Kelly made a valid point:

No Protestant would want to convert to Catholicism if they thought that all the Catholic religion was about was playing games...

Freshman Michael Lally showed some insight:

Before these teens should play any sort of game, perhaps they should be taught something about their Faith. Simple questions such as what did Christ accomplish by His death and Resurrection and what is sanctifying grace would most likely go unanswered by the modern-day Catholic teen...

Senior James Bradley said:

Not only is the article in very bad taste for a Catholic newspaper, but it also endorses matters questionable in the eyes of Catholic doctrine...

Paul Brezina, senior, pointed out:

What kind of religion doesn't mention anything about God? It is a man-centered religion secular humanism a community church which deals horizontally with man, not vertically with God.

Tony Wohletz, a junior, said:

If all you think "church" is is a social gathering where you can meet other people, well, it's not! It's where we go to adore God and receive His Sacraments, and not to play "Musical Boys."

Joe Mioni, a senior, said:

Of course we should enjoy life, but there is a time and a place for everything. What about the next life eternal life? What preparation for this does "Musical Boys" make?

John Brigg, a junior, wrote:

Kids need to find some meaning in this world. You and your kind are depriving them of knowing and loving God. Instead of putting God and a Catholic life as a goal for kids, you put man and fun as a goal...

Damon Darakjy, a senior, wrote:

There is nothing wrong with experiencing happiness, but this happiness is being in the state of sanctifying grace and belonging to the Mystical Body of Christ. Mr. Doolittle's article does not mention this once!

George Imbery, a senior, commented:

...The author scolds the Church for being too strict in the past and gives this as the reason for the decline of people going to Church. If people are leaving the Church, there must have been a change that caused it... I am very concerned about where the Church is going. What's next? Musical Girls?

Alan Karakjy, a freshmen, very pointedly said:

While you go to church to play impure games, I go to adore God. There is a difference.

Jerry Kramer, senior, said:

St. John Bosco established many good things for youth... all were centered on God and Our Lady; there, many found true joy...

Brian Kent, senior, wrote:

I go to a school where the Tridentine Mass is said. I have only been coming to this Mass since February, and I can assure you that what prompted my family to come wasn't games!

Freshman Jesse Eballar shows maturity beyond his years:

Instead of inventing new "attractions" for converts, they could restore the old traditions of the Faith. Teenagers, like myself, have found ourselves closer to the Lord each time we assist in the Holy Tridentine Mass... "Musical Boys" doesn't give any of these precious treasures. The game is stupid and a waste of time...

Joe Engell, senior, wrote:

"Musical Boys" is nothing more than the occasion for girls to grab boys and be violent while doing it, certainly exciting the passions. You call this "church"?

Freshman Jay Butler said:

"Musical Boys" is against the Ninth Commandment... you are teaching young teenagers to act with lust and impurity. These sins lead to larger sins...

Jason M. Harpe, sophomore, wrote:

The Church is a place to adore God, not to gain friendships...

Matt Denke, another sophomore, wrote:

Most people, especially the young adults, do not think about eternal life... in this day and age society does not want to think about tomorrow, much less eternal life. The world only wants to have fun... it is sad to think how many people will go to hell because they played stupid games instead of going to Confession and Mass...

Tom Gilmore, senior, asked a frightening question in his letter:

If the children are taught now to play "Musical Boys" as "church," what can we expect them to teach their children in the years to come?

Theodore Remark, sophomore, included a sentiment in his letter which many of us probably share:

Upon reading this letter I felt like throwing up, as it totally went against everything that the Church is for!

Jerome Greene, junior, made a very perceptive comment in his letter:

I think that if we returned to the traditional ceremonies that made so many saints through the ages our children might be more interested in going to Church to worship God, and as a result would not go astray. Therefore, I think that the real problem with our children going to Church is not that they do not feel like part of the Church, but that they do not feel like there is anything to be part of...

Christopher Tio, junior, wrote:

True earthly joy can only be obtained by a pure mind and peace of conscience. This game may attract the youth but remember we do not need pagan allies, but iron-willed youth who will fight... for the greater glory of God.

Michael Tan, junior, wrote:

To be a Catholic today seems wimpy and unattractive to many. For many believe there is no happiness or joy in this Faith. They are wrong. There is a joy... the spiritual, Christian joy that fills our soul...

Sophomore Alexander Chin, wrote:

Young people who are obsessed by drugs, suicide and other problems will not be influenced by games and good times, especially at Church. The Musical Boys will promote two things: disrespect towards God Himself and paganism within the Church.

Bayu Dharmasetia, a junior, wrote:

These games are irreverent, are complete reversals of the spiritual order (placing man before God) and will eventually takes souls (especially of the youth) away from God. How can games which result in such evil consequences be considered beneficial to youth?

Matthew McAuliffe, a junior, wrote:

It is because of Vatican Council II and the changes following it that you have lost so many. People cannot find in the Catholic Faith what they found in it thirty years ago. Until the Church goes back to what it was pre-Vatican II, then it will keep losing losing members...