More than 100 college students from the University of Akron, Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve University, Ashland University, Cleveland State University and the College of Wooster, all in the Diocese of Cleveland, were among those attending the SEEK26 conference Jan. 1-5 in Columbus, Ohio.
Bishop Edward Malesic and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost also attended the conference. They were among 46 bishops and hundreds of priests at the five-day event that included adoration, Masses, talks and fellowship.
The conference was hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, also known as FOCUS. It brought more than 26,000 college students from across the country to three sites: Columbus, Forth Worth, Texas and Denver, Colorado. This year’s theme was “To the Heights!”
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, celebrated the closing Mass on Jan. 5. He told attendees the event offered a call to bring faith, courage and joy to their campuses and communities. He also told the students not to be afraid when Jesus calls them to follow him, assuring them Jesus would provide the strength they need to follow the path he has chosen for them.
On the final day of the conference at the Columbus site, Lisa Cotter and Pete Burak spoke. Cotter is host of the Hallow app’s “Be Thy Day” and Burak is vice president of Renewal Ministries and co-director of Pine Hills Boys Camp.
FOCUS, founded in 1998, Is an international Catholic outreach organization that serves more than 200 college campuses – including the University of Akron – and more than 20 parish communities. There are four FOCUS missionaries assigned to the University of Akron. They have a presence on campus and are available to meet with students and others where they are and to begin genuine friendships, allowing them to encounter Christ in a natural way.
Click here to watch sessions from SEEK26, including a special welcome from Pope Leo XIV.