By Kate Quiñones
Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan 3, 2025 / 19:35 pm
Exciting news for Catholic youth as the upcoming SEEK Conference in 2025 is set to be held in Denver, Columbus, and Fort Worth. This annual event, organized by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), is eagerly anticipated by young Catholics across the country.
Denver, home to FOCUS headquarters, promises a vibrant setting for the conference. Fort Worth, with its proximity to Texas A&M and the University of Dallas, is expected to attract students from a wide area. Columbus, near Franciscan University of Steubenville, is thrilled to host the event, as expressed by Bishop Earl Fernandes.
Bishop Fernandes shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We are pleased and excited to be able to host SEEK26! It will be a boost for our diocese and our city. People will see that the Church is young and alive, offering a tremendous opportunity for young people to encounter Christ and connect with peers from around the country. This event showcases our commitment to college students, young adults, and families, as we come together to proclaim the joy of the Gospel.”
2025 conference breaks records
Following the success of SEEK25, held in Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C., this year, the conference attracted a record-breaking 21,115 attendees from the United States and Canada. The growing popularity of the event reflects the enthusiasm and dedication of young Catholics seeking to deepen their faith and connect with like-minded individuals.
The recent SEEK conference was a gathering of hundreds of priests, with a total of 617 priests attending both locations. This year’s event featured a friendly competition between Texas A&M and the University of Nebraska to see which university could send more students, with the University of Nebraska ultimately winning with around 390 attendees.
One of the highlights of the conference was a keynote address by Father Mike Schmitz, a popular Catholic priest and podcaster. In his talk, Father Schmitz delved into topics such as original sin, vice and virtue, and God’s love. He emphasized the idea that every sin is an attempt to find happiness apart from God, drawing parallels to Adam and Eve’s first sin in the Garden of Eden.
Father Schmitz also spoke about the concept of virtue and vice, highlighting that our choices have consequences that we cannot escape. He stressed the importance of recognizing that we become what we repeatedly choose.
Another key point from Father Schmitz’s address was the idea that God pays infinite attention to us and that everything we do matters to Him. He conveyed that being loved by God comes with the understanding that our actions hold significance in His eyes.
The conference kicked off Friday morning with a solemn Mass at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City. The ambiance was set with Catholic music and images of the local Catholic Cathedral of the Madeleine displayed on screens, creating a reverent atmosphere for attendees.
The SEEK conference was a transformative experience for all who attended, offering spiritual insights and opportunities for growth in faith. It was a powerful gathering that left a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of those present.
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