As the Church entered a celebration of the Jubilee of Teenagers this week, Twelve Wicker Baskets takes time with Mark Hart, the Chief Innovation Officer at Life Teen International, a Catholic youth ministry active in nearly 2,000 parishes worldwide. Mark shares his personal journey from a "typical" Catholic upbringing to a life-changing encounter with Christ during high school, thanks to the Life Teen movement. That experience sparked his lifelong passion for walking with teens, helping them discover the joy of faith through real relationships, vibrant community and Scripture that speaks to their lives today.
Throughout the conversation, Mark emphasizes that reaching today's teens takes more than just good intentions—it takes authenticity, creativity, and a deep trust in God's work. He points out that many teens today are overwhelmed by loneliness and anxiety, and what they really need is connection, not just another class or program. "We need to waste time with teenagers," he says. "Sit with them, enter into their world, and when the time is right, that’s when the real conversations about faith can happen." Mark challenges parishes to rethink what success looks like, lead with joy, and above all, prioritize the salvation of souls over simply maintaining the status quo.
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