ST. JOHN – Remarking about The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, author, radio and TV personality Mark Hart delivered a presentation on New Evangelization, hoping participants would go forth from the beautiful St. John the Evangelist church emboldened to proclaim the Good News.
On April 29, the “Unleashing the Power of Scripture: A Guide for Catholics,” author challenged participants to get their own spiritual lives in order before taking on the duty of spreading the word. At the Diocese of Gary’s New Evangelization Conference, Hart delivered biblical explorations and humorous narratives to drive home his points.
Hart, a Catholic multimedia evangelist based in Arizona, has a longtime affiliation with Life Teen, a youth ministry program used at more than 1,800 parishes in 30 countries. He is currently the chief innovation officer at the organization.
“Mark Hart is an experienced evangelist who is widely known and well respected in the Catholic Church. We are so pleased to have him come and be with us,” said Sean Martin, diocesan director of evangelization, catechesis, and family life.
Hart spoke about recognizing God’s promptings, about his True Presence, and finally, delivered a presentation called “Divine Heartburn: Strength for the Journey.” The title suggests a spiritual stomach upset that is God’s indwelling – “You know I’m there.”
Befitting his official nickname, the “Bible Geek” Hart spoke to the many scriptural references of Jesus making himself present through the institution of the Eucharist, such as John chapter 6. He also honed in on examples of faithful people moving themselves beyond worry and fear to approach the Lord.
Citing the story of the paralytic lowered by friends through the roof to meet Jesus (Luke chapter 5), he reflected on those who believed “Our buddy needs God; I need to get him to Him.”
“That’s love,” Hart said. “Do I have four friends who will love me enough to do that?”
The author said that some of today’s believers shy away from even saying the name Jesus in conversation. “We’re afraid we’ll be seen as judgmental. But are we more concerned about how people will see us than someone’s salvation?”
Hart also pointed out the destructive nature of excuses and worry, quoting the Venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen who said, “All worry is atheism, because it is a want of trust in God.”
Concerning evangelization, Hart said, “courage makes you move forward, and fear makes you retreat.”
Ongoing personal conversion helps the body, mind and soul, Hart noted throughout the presentation. Receiving Holy Communion can give people the strength they need: “At every single Mass, through the power of the Holy Spirit working through His priest, God’s body and blood flow through your veins … God is giving us a divine blood transfusion.”
He continued saying “divine heartburn” helps us realize at our core, we are, “Powered not by our own strength, but God’s grace.”
Bre Barsic from Holy Spirit in Winfield said she came to the Hart presentation because of a persistent email message.
“This is definitely God’s work because there is so much I’ve already gleaned from it,” said Barsic, who is the mother of three children. “It really spoke to me because I’m returning to the faith. I grew up in the Catholic Church – and I had a separation from it – and I’ve sheepishly returned. Now I find myself wondering: I’m back, I’m happy, I’m learning more. What’s next?
“When (Hart) was talking about self-conversion it really spoke to me. I need to look at my own relationship with the Lord before I can really do what’s next.”
Deacon Tomas Mackevicius is a Dyer resident who ministers in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He concurred with Barsic’s points.
“The idea is that we have to change ourselves and let God work through us in order for this evangelization to happen,” Deacon Mackevicius said. “To me, this conference is (focused on) the idea that we cannot evangelize if we cannot show Christ in us.”
Connie Swidergal, an SJE parishioner, worked for a five-year span as a Life Teen minister.
“The fact that he was talking about evangelization – and ministry is still part of what I do – it’s my feeling that Catholics need to learn that when it comes to evangelization, we can no longer plan a program, print some flyers and say, ‘Come on in.,’” Swidergal said. “We have to go out the door and talk to people.”
Martin said he was happy to have Hart accept the invitation to present, especially since he articulates goals that run parallel to what the local Church promotes concerning missionary discipleship.
“This is all a part of our efforts to train and motivate the people of our diocese to go and spread the Gospel message far and wide,” Martin explained.
Evidence of his busy schedule, Hart said he wasn’t able to bring any of his book titles for sale but recommended a simple Internet search to find his 20-some published works. As he was preparing to head to Midway Airport to jet off to his next presentation, he said he remained energized after the hours-long presentation in St. John.
“It could be a youth conference, a parish retreat, a men’s conference or a Bible study, the Church is so beautiful because it is so diverse and different,” said Hart. “When you really get to sit with people and hear their stories, and share in their pain and joy … I can (sit down) in the plane and be physically exhausted but spiritually uplifted.”
Hart is also a contributor to Catholic Answers, a SiriusXM radio host and offers popular DVD catechetical series such as “Venture,” “The 99,” “Altaration,” “Encounter” and “T3.”