Spreading their message in a unique way, three priests connected with students at Knoxville Catholic High School during an all-school assembly on Sept. 24. It was Spirit Week, so students and faculty were pumped up and ready for the energetic morning program, “When Culture and Faith Embrace.”
The priests all hail from California; Fathers Joseph Aytona and Jewel Aytona are brothers, and after Father Ricardo Pineda joined the Catholic Church, he heard about the Aytonas’ unconventional method of ministry.
“Breakdancing was something I was interested in and wanted to learn,” Pineda said, thinking to himself, “I can do that.” The trio became friends through shared interests in serving God and reaching out to young people by incorporating breakdance and beatbox into their ministries.
The Aytona brothers were raised in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. Growing up, they were drawn to breakdancing and soon joined a dance crew. “It was an avenue to good, clean fun,” said Jewel. Earning multiple theology degrees, both were ordained as priests and took their ministries around the country to engage youth.
Father Ricardo felt a calling to the priesthood at an early age. Initially from San Diego, he got serious about his religious calling while attending the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
Father Jewel kicked off the program by beatboxing, the technique of using one’s voice to mimic drums and other musical instruments; this form of vocal percussion got the attention of the kids. Performing songs tailored to deliver his message, he followed by speaking about the tenets of Catholic faith.
Concluding with a spirited display of breakdancing, all three priests had the students captivated with their moves and they invited students onto the floor to show their own moves.
Fathers Jewel, Joseph and Ricardo now mostly travel separately, spreading their doctrine to young people around the country. They don’t usually get the opportunity to come together, so bringing the trio to KCHS was a special occasion for them, students and faculty. Father Jewel noted, “It’s important to find any means to connect.”
Full story at Knox News.
Very immature! Good priests should present Christ’s teachings with holiness and respect! And kids need to GROW UP and respect Our Lord!!
More Idiocy
Go where they are. Then maybe some will follow to where you want them to be. They’re seldom going looking for you.
Um, this isn’t the way to do it.
Break dancing is so eighties. It is no longer relevant. Instead of chasing fads that fade away, they should be focusing on inheriting eternal life.
These young priests may well be presenting Christ’s teachings with holiness and respect. They’re break dancing in order to gain the interest of young listeners. I spent many years reaching out to young people with the teachings of Christ and His Church. If we played a game or did an icebreaker to get their attention, so be it. Saint John Bosco and other saints did non-religious things in their time in order to gain an audience for the gospel. Orthodoxy is an issue. And, that can’t be judged by a priest trying to find common ground with teens. Don’t be too quick in judging them. I pray for them and those they encounter.
The priest is supposed to be persona-Chriisti.
The priest is still a human being.
These are high schoolers, capable of much more maturity! American “pop culture,” since the 1960s, is too babyish and extremely degraded! Kids need to be led completely out of it, and into maturity! Let’s see some grown-up behavior, and grown-up intellectual, religious, and moral training! And let’s inspire mature young men to serious vocations to the priesthood!
A little fun is okay. Don Bosco helped illiterate street children, disadvantaged youth, and juvenile delinquents. Today’s American high schoolers are far more capable! How about excellent intellectual, moral, and religious training?? How about inspiring worthy young men to the vocation of the priesthood??
I don’t think anyone would dispute that we should provide excellent intellectual, moral and religious training. I certainly don’t. I’ve worked with young people for many years in both parish and school settings. That said, we shouldn’t be too quick to judge these young priests, Saint John Bosco or others for engaging in fun, entertaining activities as the first step toward evangelization and catechesis. Was Saint John Paul wrong to snow ski, canoe and hike with young adults (many of whose lives were changed for the better, even eternally)? If clergy play basketball or soccer with young people to help establish relationships and serious conversation, all the better. (And, that, in fact, does help foster vocations to the priesthood.)
I think kids can do better! Don Bosco helped very poor, hopeless kids in the streets– not normal kids, in Catholic school! If you want to attract anyone to come to church– just start practicing our beautiful Faith correctly! Millions will come to your door! You should see the huge attraction of Catholic youngsters, to serious, authentic Catholic practice of our Faith– both with the New Mass and old Latin Mass! I think Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis could take a lesson from that– both “dumbed down” our Faith at times, hoping to attract worshipers!
Amon, I encourage you to “just start practicing our beautiful Faith correctly!” as you state! I’m not disputing that. Please do that until millions come to the door of your parish. (And, believe it or not, there are hopeless kids even in Catholic schools.) That said, I’m not willing to criticize these young priests for what they’re trying to do either. And, you didn’t answer my question: was Saint John Paul wrong to snow ski, canoe and hike with young adults?
I think it’s terrific, to see priests play sports, or coach sports, with young people! Break-dancing and rap music– no. That is my belief.
Movin’ to a rap song
Can’t make out the song or lyrics – so much cheering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwPGoFTkILs
Looked up Breakdancing Priests Knoxville
youtube.com/watch?v=LwPGoFTkILs
They violated the Eleventh Commandment: Thou Shalt Not have Fun.
“From sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church
My only take on this is keep it out of the sanctuary, keep the moves and music clean and not seductive. These are attractive young men who need to be careful what they do, but still need to get some of that energy they have out in a good way that will not get them into trouble nor get anyone else into trouble.
Here’s a link to the story of a religious Sister, who was very effective in reaching young people. I encourage you to view the story of Sister Clara.
For many centuries, from the time of St
Patrick– Ireland produced many outstanding priests, monks and nuns– some became great Saints of the Church! Ireland also used to send her excellent priests and nuns for missionary work, in other countries– including America! We had many of them in our local Catholic parishes and schools, when I was young! A nun like “Sister Clara” would never have been allowed! — or else– she would not have lasted long, and would have left for secular life!
Anon., I’m curious, why did you put “Sister Clare” in quotation marks?
(“Clara” was a typo on my part.)