SXU Alum Releases Feature Film
Saint Xavier University (SXU) alum Rob Kaczmark '05 has just released a new movie, "Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story." The film tells the story of Father Edward J. Flanagan's unwavering commitment to achieve safety and security for the most vulnerable members of society, leading him to international influence and a saintly legacy.
Kaczmark has been working on the film since 2017. Inspired by the work Father Flanagan did, Kaczmark and his team believed sharing his story and furthering his cause for canonization deserved a large platform, so they pushed it to be a feature film.
"Father Flanagan revolutionized caring across the globe. I hope that when people watch this film, they can be inspired and it can give them strength in their own lives to overcome challenges. Father Flanagan has taught us to care for those in need with tenderness and dedication – to feel reinvigorated to care for those around us," said Kaczmark.
Kaczmark, who majored in business marketing, entered the film industry without any experience. He just knew that he wanted to incorporate his faith and important Catholic stories into media content.
"I got really into my Catholic faith in high school. I spent a lot of time doing ministry for the church, and I noticed that the promotional flyers, images, and media available were always poor quality. When I asked why, I was told that if I could do better, I should. So, I did," said Kaczmark.
Kaczmark started to dabble in programs to learn how to create flyers and small videos and spent his free time learning and growing. When he graduated high school, Saint Xavier was an ideal choice for him.
"When I visited the campus, there was just something familiar about it. It was important for me to be able to continue the ministry I was doing, and the Catholic, Mercy mission of Saint Xavier is amazing," said Kaczmark.
Though he originally planned to pursue a religious studies major at SXU, he was encouraged to study business because of how broad the field is, and he really enjoyed it. Kaczmark was able to join SXU's Campus Ministry and stay involved in faith-sharing during his time as a student, participating in Spring Break Service Trips and community service opportunities. While doing a ministry event in McDonough Chapel over Easter weekend, he was approached to be a host for Relevant Radio, which eventually led him to starting his own business.
"The show was called 'Spirit Juice,' and I started the Monday after graduating. The program eventually involved into Spirit Juice Studios, the company I am running now. God never closes a door without opening a window. I saw an opportunity to create content in the Catholic space, and I've been doing that for 17 years now," said Kaczmark.
Kaczmark is grateful for his time at Saint Xavier and took advantage of all it had to offer, even after he graduated. As an alum, he went back to audit several classes that helped him advance his filmmaking skills, including Photoshop and After Effects classes.
"The teachers at SXU are incredible. I am truly grateful for them, and I have spent lots of time reflecting on what I've learned in the classroom. I still recall the classes I took even today. The Suffering and Death course was the most impactful course I've ever taken, centered around the idea that the dying teach the living how to live. I think about it every day," said Kaczmark.
While the scenic beauty of campus during fall and the generous, expert faculty are among Kaczmark's favorite things about SXU, he also resonates deeply with the University's mission.
"It covers so many things – not just the practice of our faith, but how we serve people. Mercy is a key part of living faith intensely, and I have a very strong connection to that. I believe in praying and working – asking for God's direction and then acting on it," said Kaczmark.
Kaczmark looks forward to working on more film projects into the future. He will also be launching One Minute Film School to help teach filmmaking to beginners.
"Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story" is in theaters now. To learn more, visit the website or watch the movie trailer. Keep up with Kaczmark on Instagram.