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Author Archives: Mark Hart

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Spiritual Heartburn: What to Avoid When Leading Teens in Prayer

By | April 13, 2010

In our personal prayer we’d be wise to remember that God doesn’t grade us on diction. Words matter little if our intention is pure. Likewise, when leading prayer with our teens or Core it’s vital to remember that less is often more. Simplicity is a direct route to sanctity.

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The Nominees for Outstanding Performance in a Catholic Youth Ministry Setting are…

By | February 17, 2010

The Oscars are right around the corner. Hollywood’s best and brightest will hoist their little gold trophies and celebrate the highest award their craft has to offer. The earth will applaud, but will heaven?

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Teens bored by the Bible? 10 questions to ask yourself

By | February 12, 2010

Over the past almost 20 years I’ve had enjoyed countless glorious failures (and some graced successes) when opening God’s Word with young people and the one thing I know for a fact is this: teens do care about the Bible. Teens actually love the Scriptures when they are unpacked and taught well.

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Do you really want to change a teen’s life?

By | February 2, 2010

If you want to change a teenager’s life than don’t just pray for them…pray with them.

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A Prescription for Good Core Team Health: Vitamin (Cycle) C

By | January 11, 2010

Recently during Mass my eldest daughter noticed something during the gospel proclamation – specifically, that St. Luke was not one of the original twelve apostles. I later tried to explain that St. Luke was a traveling companion of St. Paul and a convert to the faith, but not one of the original twelve men that [...]

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Life Teen’s 2010 Theme: “Behold the Mystery”

By | December 22, 2009

In this blog, Life Teen VP Mark Hart shares the story behind this year’s spiritual theme. Scroll down for links to resources to help you parish unpack this theme. – Editor The Acts of the Apostles is one of the great gems of the Bible. Nestled – almost hidden – between the Gospels and St. [...]

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Christmas for Your Core Team

By | November 10, 2009

It is that time of year again… lists, shopping, wrapping, trying to figure out the perfect gift for every person in your life. For youth ministers, here’s the million-dollar question: What do you get the most dedicated Core Team on the planet on a youth ministry budget? How do you honor those who give up [...]

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Teens Distracted at Mass? Reverence Begins with Relevance

By | August 27, 2009

My first year in Youth Ministry was painful. I had a few solid Core Members and our Life Nights were going well. I had a supportive priest and a decent budget. I had a talented music ministry and parents who would do anything for me. I developed strong relationships with teens; saw an increase in [...]

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5 Ways that Talks Fail Before We Open Our Mouths

By | May 19, 2009

In the past seventeen years, I’ve given more talks than I can count in more states than I can seem to remember (senility is setting in) and in many dioceses and cities I can scarcely spell. Truthfully, I think I still have yet to ever give a “great talk”. I’ve gotten close at times…certain occasions [...]

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Heroic Virtue

By | January 5, 2009

The summer of 2008 offered two landmark events that brought the world together. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games featured historic moments of athleticism, victory and achievement. The entire world watched as men and women put years of training and sacrifice to the test, in hopes of attaining the goal of their pursuit – an Olympic [...]