Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity share their reflections from Seek 2024 , a FOCUS Catholic outreach organization’s annual conference aimed at young adults. Novice Sr. Catherine Peter Logan comments on her experiences.
Sister Michelle Marie, Jenn, and I traveled with Sisters Linda, Sister Jacqueline and the Yooper crew again this year which was 3 buses with over 160 people to SEEK 2024 in St. Louis. How amazing to see the excitement as we traveled with the students, religious, priests, and seminarians.
Once we arrived at the Dome in St. Louis we were joined with thousands as we checked in for the event. The message came across through the week that we are called to be a light in a world of beauty but to know it is a world also faced with many challenges. As we read in John 1:4-5 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Each daily Mass began with a procession of about 500 priests and 44 bishops according to FOCUS. And on the night of adoration over 3000 confessions in 2 hours were heard along with daily confessions readily available. José Sánchez del Río was our young SEEK patron Saint for the week. He is an inspiration to all of us as one who loved the Eucharist, the Lord, and entrusted himself to Mary and was a Martyr at the young age of 14.
Throughout the week the energy and spirit filled the air as 20,000 college students, focus missionaries, priests, deacons, religious, and lay people soaked in the graces being received in this place filled with hope. It was wonderful to see so many more religious sisters and religious brothers and priests this year from many different Orders. We spent time in daily adoration surrounded by relics of Saints, listened to the wisdom of numerous speakers, enjoyed Christian music, walked mission way filled with priests, religious, seminarians, focus missionaries, catholic programs & missions, merchandise, live podcasts, games, and plenty of conversations. Shout out to Christ in the City and Spiritus! It was a chance to meet up with friends and make new ones. Unexpected experiences came up like joining a pushup challenge with Spiritus to raise money. Also had opportunities to play some cornhole and pickle ball with seminarians (Colorado Springs Diocese and Marquette Diocese) and students. Great times to have some friendly competition which lead to great conversations and so much more. It was inspiring to see the tender moments of parents bringing their young children forward in adoration to see Jesus up close or lifting them up in morning prayer for a better view. And to see young people having transformative experiences throughout the week. So much touched the heart and is hard to put into words. Seeds were planted and fires were lit. A great take away from the week is stated wonderfully in a message from Curtis Martin, “The more we come to know Jesus – the more we pray, dwell with His word and receive Him in the sacraments—the more we will be filled with His light, which can light the way for others to come home to Him.” Thank you to all who made this week possible..
Article Comments:
Sister Anne Marie Lom 01/29/2024 @ 6:02 am
Thank you, Sister Catherine Peter, for a compct message of joy, hope, and peace! May this experience bear much fruit in ministry!