First-time N.C. pilgrims deepen relationship with Jesus at SEEK24 conference
ST. LOUIS — A 22,000-member chorus chanting “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus” swirled into the air enveloping America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis Jan. 4 as hearts and minds were lifted to God in worship. Following a 500-priest procession, it was one of many soul-stirring moments of SEEK24, a popular youth and young adult conference held Jan. 1-5 and organized by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). The event’s theme was “Be the Light,” and it drew record attendance, energizing pilgrims more than ever.
“Chanting the ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ made me tear up. It was like a small slice of heaven,” says Liz Herpy, youth minister at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro. “The Mass is heaven on earth, and hearing everyone chanting with all of themselves and singing to God was incredibly moving.”
Fresh off celebrating its 25th anniversary, FOCUS is a campus- and parish-based organization that aims to create missionary disciples through a variety of programs and events. United in their love for Jesus, SEEK attendees had the opportunity to worship, listen to talks from Catholic leaders, join in Eucharistic Adoration, learn more about Catholic ministries and religious orders at the exhibitors’ booths, and reunite with friends from around the country and the world.
With about 20,000 paid registrants, there was a 28% increase over last year’s conference. Registrants included college students, lay leaders and record numbers of seminarians, bishops, priests, and religious brothers and sisters. Overall numbers swelled higher as the week went on, reaching 24,000 attendees on Jan. 3 when everyone in St. Louis was invited to attend two keynote speeches for free, followed by silent Eucharistic Adoration.
Many attendees say their faith lives are transformed by the conference, including three first-time pilgrims from the Diocese of Charlotte – a local college student, a Catholic nonprofit leader, and a parish youth minister. They recently shared their SEEK24 experiences with the Catholic News Herald.
SHORTCUT TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Belmont Abbey College senior John Carayiannis (right) took time away from his wrestling season to attend the SEEK24 conference. Jake Burns (left), the FOCUS missionary at the school, invited the recently confirmed Carayiannis to the event. When John Carayiannis was invited to SEEK, he was a little hesitant. The college senior was in the middle of his wrestling season at Belmont Abbey College and wasn’t sure he had time for a five-day trip to St. Louis. However, circumstances changed when he partially tore his LCL right before Christmas, temporarily sidelining him from competing.
“Still, the conference wasn’t pushed too much,” he says, “Our missionary, Jake Burns, told me about it, I liked what I heard, and that’s why I wanted to go.”
Carayiannis had other inspiration, too. During his reversion to the Catholic faith and right before he entered RCIA last year, he listened to all the talks Father Mike Schmitz had given at the conference and wanted to hear him speak in person.
Carayiannis grew up in the Catholic faith but fell away and was never confirmed. When it came time for college, his choice to attend Belmont Abbey was based primarily on wrestling. The fact that it was Catholic was just a plus, he says. Now he’s leading a Bible study on campus and is on fire with the faith.
Hearing Father Schmitz – host of the widely popular “Bible in a Year” podcast and director of youth and young adult ministries in the Diocese of Duluth, Minn. – talk in person at SEEK was surreal for him.
“Even though he doesn’t know who I am, he has helped me grow in my faith and learn so much, and it was amazing,” Carayiannis says. “It took me a second to realize that, wow, this is real.”
Carayiannis joined approximately 50 pilgrims from Belmont Abbey and says he was especially moved by the keynote speech of Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.
“If you’re sad, anxious, burned out, or overwhelmed, maybe you’re not dead wrong. Maybe you’re responding reasonably” to the fact that Satan is real, said Monsignor Shea.
“But Jesus came to break the power of Satan!” he continued.
“The wound of sin is deep in us, but it’s nowhere near the deepest part of us. Much deeper in our baptized soul is a place for God … and we’re capable, through baptism, of life with God and God living in us.”
Carayiannis says he recommends the conference to all young people.
“It will 100 percent be worth it in the end,” he says. “The amount the conference builds you up, grows your faith, and brings you closer to Christ in such a short period of time is just remarkable.”
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Important ministries also find opportunities for growth at SEEK. MiraVia, a Charlotte-based nonprofit serving pregnant college women, was one of the exhibitors at the conference.
“The highlight was being surrounded by 22,000 college students at Mass who showed the utmost reverence for our Eucharistic Lord,” said Debbie Capen, executive director of MiraVia. “Hearing the stadium fill with their voices gently singing the ‘Salve Regina’ at the conclusion of each Mass is an experience I will never forget.”
MiraVia also hosted a breakout session called “Greater Expectations” where they taught attendees how they can help pregnant students on their campuses. One of
MiraVia's former residents, Emilia Pippen, spoke during the session to provide her perspective and answer questions.
“It was beautiful to see her testimony bring tears of joy to so many faces,” Capen says.
“I learned there is tremendous hope for the future of our nation and the Church. The theme ‘Be the Light’ was perfect because you could practically see the love of Christ radiating from these young people. They would even stop by our booth to learn about the work of MiraVia and then ask how they could pray for us.”
Capen also received spiritual support for MiraVia’s work from clergy in attendance. At one point, she happened to be walking by as Cardinal Timothy Dolan was arriving on the main floor for a media interview.
“I was astonished at how approachable he was. He motioned for me to come over when he saw me standing nearby. I had MiraVia’s website pulled up on my phone and showed it to him while introducing myself. He said, ‘Oh yes, MiraVia, you do wonderful work!’”
Capen asked if he would bless the organization, and Cardinal Dolan agreed.
“He took my phone and said a blessing while making the sign of the cross with his thumb on the image of our building. I knelt down and he gave me a blessing, too,”
Capen says. “He reiterated how important the work that we do is and to keep it going. Then he took my hand in both of his and thanked me for asking for his blessing.
For such a public figure, I was impressed by his sincerity and his joyful interactions with everyone around him.”
RECONNECTION AND PURPOSE
Liz Herpy had always wanted to go to the SEEK conference. As a parish youth minister, however, she thought she was now past the intended age group until two friends who work for FOCUS invited her.
When she arrived in St. Louis, she soon realized how wide-ranging the demographics of the conference truly are. She says she saw hundreds of people in her track from their mid-20s into their 70s as well as families with babies in tow – all there to learn more about reaching the people they serve.
“It was really beautiful and inspiring to see everyone come together to learn how to make missionary disciples,” Herpy says.
In her work at Our Lady of Grace, Herpy comes across a few college students in her ministry. However, she says, she mostly sees young Catholic adults, many of whom are single and are discerning what God is calling them to do next. Others are starting to live their vocations as young married couples.
The talks she attended informed and inspired her to better reach all those who cross her path, she says.
The event was also a Catholic family reunion for her as she came across friends she’s made throughout her youth and while discerning a religious vocation with the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church in Connecticut.
“I grew up in Cleveland, and I saw a lot of people from Ohio who I was friends with. They were either Capuchins or priests from the Diocese of Cleveland,” Herpy says. “I even saw friends I made while discerning religious life in Connecticut. It was such a blessing to see them flourishing. Even with 22,000 people there, it’s still a small Catholic world.”
What’s her takeaway from the conference?
“There’s a real call to live a life totally for the Lord no matter your state in life. As a lay person, I ask myself how I can truly live my life totally for Jesus and bring as many souls as possible to Him, including through my workplace,” she says. “It’s easy to forget that in the busyness of our day-to-day lives. SEEK was a great reminder and source of renewal.”
Next year’s SEEK conference, “Follow Me,” is set for Jan. 1-5 in Salt Lake City.
— Annie Ferguson
