By Kate Quiñones
Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan 5, 2025 / 15:00 pm
As the SEEK conference in Salt Lake City came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with bittersweet goodbyes. Over 17,000 attendees, including young adults, families, religious, priests, and those exploring their faith, gathered at the Salt Palace Convention Center from Jan. 1-5.
More than just a retreat, the SEEK conference was a transformative experience for many. Father Dave Pivonka, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville and a first-time attendee, described it as a “family reunion.”
For Pivonka, seeing alumni actively engaged in their faith was a source of joy. “To be with young people who are interested in pursuing a relationship with Christ is always a blessing,” he shared with CNA.
Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, a regular attendee of SEEK, echoed Pivonka’s sentiments. He described the conference as a reunion of people from different parts of his life and highlighted the connection to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last summer.
Both Pivonka and Conley emphasized the significance of encountering the Eucharistic Lord and participating in the ongoing Eucharistic Revival. SEEK was not just a gathering; it was a profound witness to the city of Salt Lake and a testament to the power of faith and community.
Welcome to SEEK25: A Journey of Missionary Discipleship
During the recent SEEK conference, Bishop Conley described the night of Eucharistic adoration as the “high point” of the event. This spiritual gathering marked a significant moment in the conference’s mission of fostering missionary discipleship.
The vision of SEEK aligns with the National Eucharistic Revival’s focus on a “year of mission,” emphasizing evangelism and outreach. FOCUS, the organization behind SEEK, sends missionaries to college campuses to minister to students and has played a significant role in shaping the future of seminarians in the United States.
At SEEK25 in Salt Lake City, clergy members, including 46 bishops and hundreds of priests, gathered to participate in this transformative experience. The event featured inspirational talks from leaders like Curtis Martin, who emphasized that SEEK is not just a conference but a pivotal moment in one’s journey towards becoming a missionary disciple.
The conference concluded with powerful keynotes by Carrie Wagner and Jason Evert, highlighting the importance of sharing the Gospel with others. Bishop Michael Olson delivered a moving homily on aligning our dreams with Christ’s vision. Looking ahead, SEEK26 will be hosted in Fort Worth, Columbus, and Denver next year.
