- Blog
-
- Audio / Podcasts (124)
- Catechesis (23)
- Event & Retreat Planning (9)
- Event Photos (6)
- Events & Conferences Updates (19)
- Featured (155)
- Leadership (20)
- Life Teen News (41)
- Liturgy / The Mass (3)
- Maintaining Quality Ministry (45)
- Meet the Life Teen Staff (6)
- Multi-Parish Youth Ministry (6)
- Music Ministry (37)
- Pastoral Care (10)
- Personal Spirituality (47)
- Random (14)
- Resource Updates (19)
- Video (19)
- Youth Group Management (29)
Author Archives: Mark Hart
Mark Hart
Blog
Don’t be talkin’ ‘bout my Mama: protecting your teens from mistruths
I sat stunned in the back of the room. I was in shock. “Did he just say that?” I asked myself in utter disbelief.
I had been asked to speak at a multi-parish teen retreat (in a state that will go unnamed). During this particular session a local priest was present and had agreed to answer teen questions about the faith...
Blog
The Theology of Randomness: how useless knowledge can be useful in ministry
I love useless knowledge. I could read random bits of trivia all day. One of the reasons that I love Sacred Scripture so much is because there are so many random, seemingly unimportant details found in its pages. They fascinate me. Nothing is unnecessary, however. Every iota of Scripture was inspired and breathed by the [...]
Blog
One Smart Shepherd: B16′s first 5 years
Put simply, in these past five years, Pope Benedict XVI has been nothing less than brilliant. He has shattered pre-papal misconceptions about his doctrinal “bulldog” attitude. His scope and vision have been no less breathtaking than Pope John Paul II’s, only subtler. Pope Benedict is a true Shepherd, capably leading a flock through morally corrupt and challenging times. Witnessing the Holy Spirit unleash his theological brilliance in such a pastoral way has been a true gift.
Blog
Spiritual Heartburn: What to Avoid When Leading Teens in Prayer
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.
Blog
Sunday Sunday Sunday Podcast – Third Sunday of Lent 2010
Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent (Year C): Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9.
Blog
Sunday Sunday Sunday Podcast – Second Sunday of Lent 2010
Turning the Lights On. Second Sunday of Lent (Year C): Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14; Philipians 3:17—4:1 or 3:20—4:1; Luke 9:28b-36.
Blog
The Nominees for Outstanding Performance in a Catholic Youth Ministry Setting are…
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?
Blog
Sunday Sunday Sunday Podcast – First Sunday of Lent 2010
Fat Chance? Slim Chance?. Readings for the First Sunday of Lent (Year C): Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13.
Blog
Teens bored by the Bible? 10 questions to ask yourself
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.
Blog
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday – 02/14/2010
Fat Chance? Slim Chance?. Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26. Host: Mark Hart Producer: Greg Iwinski Theme Music: Ryan Brehm Hear the Podcast [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Subscribe to the Podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the [...]
Blog
Do you really want to change a teen’s life?
If you want to change a teenager’s life than don’t just pray for them…pray with them.
Blog
A Prescription for Good Core Team Health: Vitamin (Cycle) C
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 [...]
Blog
Life Teen’s 2010 Theme: “Behold the Mystery”
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. [...]
Blog
Christmas for Your Core Team
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 [...]
Blog
Teens Distracted at Mass? Reverence Begins with Relevance
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 [...]
Blog
5 Ways that Talks Fail Before We Open Our Mouths
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 [...]
Blog
Heroic Virtue
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 [...]
Blog
Dance Like Everyone is Watching: The Importance of Self Awareness
There’s a saying I read several years back that I really liked, it went: Work like you don’t need the money Love like you’ve never been hurt And dance like nobody’s watching I liked it so much that I printed it out and hung it on my wall. I signed my emails with it. I [...]
Blog
Jesus Bowled a 283 Today
I returned home from a long day of ministry. Not that life-giving day of ministry that sends us to the sheets physically destroyed but spiritually renewed. No, it was one of those other days of ministry – it was one of those days the devil was lickin’ his ugly chops, throwing every annoyance my way, [...]
Blog
The Bible: God’s Original Text Message
Many adults today tell me that the “average teenager” couldn’t care less about the Bible. Extensive firsthand experience, however, demands that I humbly reply, “LOL” (“laugh out loud” in text-happy vernacular). I led my first teen Bible study almost 20 years ago and, while teen culture has dramatically changed, their desires have not. Teens want truth, and the Catholic Church has it.