On July 23, Father Mark Hellinger will share what it looks like for disciples of Jesus to live as citizens of Heaven and citizens of earth’s particular societies. The paradox for Christians is to find the balance between being concerned with the good of our fellow man on earth by working for a more just society through active citizenship (such as voting), and also recognizing that we cannot expect to form a perfect society here on earth because the true Kingdom and homeland for us is Heaven. How do we live in this tension in imitation of Christ?
Bio: Fr. Mark Hellinger was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the youngest and only son of his family, with three older sisters and many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Bishop Luers High School, he entered seminary. He finished his philosophy studies at Marian University and Bishop Simon Bruté Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and completed his STB in Sacred Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome in 2021. He was ordained a priest in 2022 and completed his STL in Dogmatic and Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome in 2023. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of St. John the Baptist, Ft. Wayne and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saint Francis for the Fall semester of 2024. He is passionate about theology and teaching and enjoys reading, cooking, sewing vestments, and hanging out with friends.