“This is not a standard parish mission,” warned Andrew Loh of the “Reboot! Live!” event to be held Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square. “Its reach is more regional… We are looking for those already involved in their parishes and want to take a step further, and those not as churched or newly involved,” Loh, a leader in the parish men’s ministry, said. “They can use the information to enhance their own ministries or perhaps start new ones.”

“Reboot! Live!,” which the Hamilton Square parish is describing as a “high-energy, 2-1/2 hour renewal event designed to bring a brand new energy and vitality to your parish community,” will feature renowned speaker and author, Chris Stefanick, and musical guest, Jon Niven. The two-part event will take a multi-media approach to understanding the beauty of the Gospel message and give participants concrete ways to apply it in everyday life.

“It’s a really souped-up parish mission, more edgy,” Loh continued. “[Stefanick] is good with sound bites. He’s not really preaching apologetics, but instead about why Jesus Christ is important in your life.”

“This is necessary in every parish,” Loh asserted. “Even though St. Gregory the Great has 25,000 people on the books and 70 ministries, Mass attendance doesn’t reflect this. It’s not just a problem at St. Gregory the Great, but all over.”

Others who have witnessed a mission with Stefanick at the helm expressed excitement at his arrival to the Hamilton Square parish.

“Chris Stefanick is on fire with his faith,” declared Lori Rawski, director of religious education, whose uses Stefanick’s catechetical program “Chosen” in the parish’s eighth grade Confirmation classes. “This program will challenge all of us to be better Catholics, and enable us to live out the Gospel in today’s society.  Those attending will be touched as they have never been before by this high spirited inspirational speaker.  We are so blessed and fortunate to have him come to St. Gregory the Great.”

Barbara Rookey, pastoral associate for parish life and charitable outreach, described Stefanick as “an extremely engaging speaker,” and noted, “His approach appeals to a wide audience; he has proven to be as engaging with teenagers, their parents, and their grandparents. The depth of his knowledge about our faith is evident, and his message is timeless.”

Calling Stefanick “an evangelist for the modern world, delivering his message in a format that is refreshing and clear,” Rookey predicted the parish would be rejuvenated by his visit. “With Chris inspiring our audience and issuing the invitation to come to know God more deeply, they will be on their feet asking where to sign up. Stefanick will open the door to the banquet, and then we need to be ready to bring folks in and fill their emptiness with Jesus and the beauty and wonder of the Catholic Church.” 

Videos of Stefanick’s “Reboot! Live!” presentations are available on his website, Real Life Catholic (www.reallifecatholic.com,) and on the St. Gregory the Great Parish website, www.stgregorythegreatchurch.org. “His videos really make you think,” Loh said. “St. Gregory is embedding some of them in the parish newsletter.”

The event is aimed at those in high school through adults, and regardless of parish affiliation. Admission is $19. (to those who object at the cost, Stefanick asks, “Shouldn’t you invest in your spiritual life? It’s just the cost of two movie tickets.) and are available on both his and the parish website. For further information, call Andrew Loh at 609-468-1400 or see www.reallifecatholic.com/reboot.