SEEK2019 Inspires Desire to Encounter Something More

Leah Darrow at SEEK2017. Copyright 2017 Fellowship of Catholic University Students. All rights reserved. Used with permission.[/caption] Speakers include Dr. Scott Hahn, Emily Wilson, Chris Stefanick and George Weigel DENVER, July 31, 2018 — The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) will host SEEK2019: Encounter Something More January 3 – 7, 2019, in Indianapolis. SEEK is a five-day event where people gather to ask the big questions about life, love and true happiness. Registration is now open at www.seek2019.com. College students from across the country will be challenged and inspired through the Collegiate Track by nationally-recognized speakers who will discuss hot topics relevant to young adults on campus. Chaplains and campus ministers will participate in the Campus Ministry Track to receive insight and encouragement to create dynamic and fruitful college campus ministries. The Lifelong Mission Track is designed for FOCUS alumni, parishioners and benefactors who desire vision, training and resources to be missionary disciples in families, parishes and careers. SEEK2019 will include daily opportunities for Mass, adoration, confession, reflection and discernment. Highlighted entertainment will be comedian Michael Jr., along with Sarah Kroger and FOCUS Collective.

Hundreds of priests hear confessions at SEEK events. Copyright 2017 Fellowship of Catholic University Students. All rights reserved. Used with permission.[/caption] “SEEK2017 allowed the Lord to bring me closer to the love in His most Sacred Heart,” said Jonathan Hare, a student of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. “The speakers gave me tools to grow closer to Christ. The talk by Sr. Bethany Madonna, S.V., changed my life. She used personal stories and let the Lord talk through her to awaken my heart to understand I needed to forgive myself. We are all humans, and we are flawed. If we don't forgive ourselves, then we are just allowing Satan to win. Another change I’ve made since the event is to find joy in each day. We take many things for granted. SEEK helped me open my eyes to finding joy in small things, like walking to class or talking with a friend.”

Copyright 2017 Fellowship of Catholic University Students. All rights reserved. Used with permission.[/caption] Keynote speakers for SEEK2019 include Sr. Bethany Madonna, S.V., Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Leah Darrow, Jason Evert, Jennifer Fulwiler, Dr. Scott Hahn, Curtis Martin, Dr. Edward Sri and Chris Stefanick. Many other world-renowned Catholic speakers will share perspectives on current faith issues, including experts such as Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M., Bishop James Conley, Fr. Philip Bochanski, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Crystalina Evert, Matt Fradd, Stephanie Gray, Trent Horn, Paul J. Kim, Dr. Jonathan Reyes, Lila Rose, Sarah Swafford, Brandon Vogt, George Weigel and Emily Wilson. Bios and new speaker announcements can be found at seek2019.com/speakers. FOCUS events have welcomed more than 61,000 attendees since the inaugural National Conference held in 1999, where 25 students came together to pray, deepen their Catholic faith and learn how to share Christ with others. Nearly 13,000 attendees came to SEEK2017, including students and chaplains from more than 500 campuses. Close to 300 priests concelebrated daily Mass, and priests heard more than 5,000 confessions over the course of the five-day event. Sponsors include Word on Fire, Franciscan University of Steubenville and Servants of Christ Jesus. Organizations interested in sponsorship can email sponsorships@focus.org.

Copyright 2018 Leslie Prevish for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students About FOCUS The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) was founded in 1998 and invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship and friendships in which they lead others to do the same. During the 2018 – 2019 academic year, nearly 700 missionaries are serving full-time on 153 college campuses, located across 42 U.S. states and at five international locations. Tens of thousands of students have been involved with FOCUS, who after graduation have the opportunity to move into parish life to continue their missionary work. Within this number, 732 have made decisions to pursue Catholic religious vocations. By 2022, FOCUS expects — God willing — to have 75,000 students transitioned into many of America’s 17,000+ Catholic parishes. FOCUS missionaries are typically recent college graduates who devote two or more years of their post-collegiate lives to reach out to peers on campus. To learn more, visit us at www.focus.org.