Dr. Scott Hahn, national speaker, author and professor, spoke at Saint Francis University. The presentation was focused on the Eucharist and the New Evangelization.

Father Michael Tinker, a Campus Minister at Saint Francis University, introduced Hahn, saying that he has been evangelizing the nation through his writing and speaking.

“The New Evangelization is focused on re-evangelizing those who were de-Christianized and by evangelizing the baptized,” said Hahn.

This was a common theme throughout Hahn’s speech.

“Evangelizing is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” said Hahn. “It’s not done in a day, but it needs to start in a day.”

Nick Astle, a sophomore at Saint Francis University, said he was fascinated by Hahn’s speech.

“He talked a lot about the relationship between the New Testament and the Eucharist,” said Astle, “and made both Scripture and the Mass come alive in ways I’ve never even considered.”

Hahn compared evangelization to marriage. We can’t just fall in love; we must work at staying in love because it is a long-term commitment. Both marriage and evangelization are relationships that need to be constantly taken to new levels.

“Do not use the New Evangelization to win arguments,” said Hahn. “Use it to win back brothers and sisters who Christ has died for and have wondered away from the faith.”

Hahn said that God is capable of more than we want and more than we are willing to ask him for.

“God is asking us to ask Him to increase our faith,” said Hahn.

Hahn, who converted to Catholicism 28 years ago, talked about his conversion to the Catholic faith. Conversions are life-long experiences that are often difficult, and it will never be easy to take up the cross that we must bear.

“Dr. Hahn combines a very deep, very experienced knowledge of the Catholic faith with a casual, conversational, often humorous style of speaking that makes intense theological concepts easy to understand,” said Astle.

Mason Koehle, a sophomore Pre-Pharmacy major at Saint Francis University, was amazed at the speech and found Hahn to be very knowledgeable about the Catholic faith.

“He spoke with such passion and that passion really emanated from him to all who were in attendance,” said Koehle. “I think that Dr. Hahn has made an impact on everybody present and that his words will resound in all of us, and his words have helped us grow deeper in our faith through the Word of God, the Bible.”

Hahn said it is important to discuss our faith with friends and to share our experiences about our faith with them.

“One thing we can do is to enjoy our faith,” said Hahn, “and express that joy to other people.”

On Thursday morning, more than 300 high school students from Bishop Carroll, Bishop McCort and Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High Schools and about 75 others attended the Supper of the Lamb presentation by Hahn prior to noon Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.  Following Mass, about 40 community members attended a session on the New Evangelization in Higher Education.

The event was held on Thursday, April 10, at 7 in the JFK Student Center.