A Church on Fire for Christ: SEEK26 in Denver
- Guest Contributor
- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
Denver parishioners leave the annual conference renewed in faith and mission, on fire for love of Jesus and ready to preach the Gospel.
By Caitlin Burm
A Revival of Faith
Thousands of Catholics from across the United States traveled to FOCUS’ annual SEEK conference in Denver this New Year. The five-day experience reignited many participants with a fire for Christ, throughout daily Mass, keynote talks and breakout sessions, and extended opportunities for Adoration and Confession. The conference in Denver ran concurrently in Columbus and Fort Worth, Texas.
Often a sizeable event for Catholic college students and those involved in campus ministry, Denver’s SEEK conference was unique in that it boasted nearly just as many post-college parishioners as it did students. Of the nearly 6,000 attendees, just about half came from the pews of parishes, both in the Archdiocese of Denver and beyond.
For faithful students, young adults, families, parish leaders and more, the gathering offered not only inspiration but practical tools for living out their Catholic faith more intentionally at home, in parish life and in everyday relationships.
“I think I’ve needed a little bit of a revival in my faith,” Christine Kohl, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Denver, said. “SEEK has been bringing me a lot of renewal in my heart and soul and in my prayer life.”
Quoting John 1:5, she added, “‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…’ It’s been profound for me to realize that it’s not about me being the light, but about drawing closer to the Lord so his light can shine.”
Tom Kaiser, a parishioner of St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, echoed that sentiment.
“The highlight was Adoration with the Eucharistic procession — just gazing on Jesus and thinking about how much he loves us. It doesn’t get any better than that,” Kaiser said.
Vince Byrne, a staff member of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Collins, which is home to Ram Catholic, the Catholic campus ministry serving Colorado State University, felt a rejuvenation from the conference as well.
“With so many people just being present with Jesus in the Eucharist, it’s incredibly powerful,” he shared. “I’m most looking forward to our students encountering Christ through the Eucharist, the friendships they make here and the wisdom they receive.”
Growth as Disciples
Although SEEK began as a conference for college students and young adults, today, it is open to families, parishioners and church leaders — anyone who is seeking to deepen their Catholic faith.
Participants of all ages felt that the conference contributed to their growth as disciples this year.
Allison Regoli, a parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Boulder, said that it was different coming back to SEEK26 as an adult versus a student, but that she loved the experience all the same.
“Coming as an adult parishioner has deepened why I love the Church. I feel on fire and excited to kindle others’ hearts with the Lord’s ultimate flame,” Regoli added.
Brittany Diegel, a parishioner of Assumption Parish in Denver, shared how the conference helped her and her young family grow.
“We wanted to expose our boys to the bigger Church. Seeing their excitement after the talks — especially realizing how much they took away — was something I didn’t anticipate,” she told the Denver Catholic, noting that her boys were particularly excited seeing their parish deacon serving Mass on the main stage.
Nick Woodhull, a parishioner of Most Precious Blood Parish in Denver, shared that SEEK26 has helped him dive deeper into his faith, both personally and professionally.
“I've been floored by the presentations and the speakers here,” he said. “Each talk approaches topics from different lenses — scientific and theological. As a mental health therapist, seeing how faith speaks into anxiety and your relationship with God has been eye-opening.”
For some attendees, SEEK was their first experience of a large-scale Catholic conference. Tim Barns, a parishioner of St. Mary in Aspen, said he was invited by friends and had never heard of SEEK before attending.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Barns said. “The men’s sessions especially have spoken to me. Hearing the call to be men of conviction and action, and obedient sons of God, really lit a fire in my heart.”
Barns said he hopes to bring the sense of communion he experienced at the conference back to his parish, particularly to Aspen’s young adult and men’s groups.
Parishes on Fire for Christ
For many attendees, SEEK26 served as both a homecoming to faith and a renewed commissioning for mission.
Many faithful shared how the conference not only renewed their spirits and growth as disciples, but also reminded them how to bring Jesus Christ into any situation.
Mallory Hintz, a parishioner of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada, shared how her pastor and parish intentionally prayed to the Holy Spirit in preparation for the conference.
“SEEK was chosen as a catalyst for mission so that the people who attended could return to their ministries… with the courage and the zeal to be able to trust in Jesus,” she explained.
The parish brought 74 faithful with them to the annual conference, with many more community members joining them on their own.
Paula Smith, a parishioner of St. Bernadette Parish in Lakewood, said in a similar vein that SEEK reminded her that evangelization doesn’t have to be grand, and that even small acts can keep the mission going.
“Each of us is an evangelist for God, and every one of us can go out there and bring so many new people to the Church,” she said.
Hintz, inspired by the same topic of evangelization at the conference, added, “I want to be a ‘hot pot’ — absorbing the fire of Christ and helping others catch fire too.”
As SEEK26 came to a close this week, many participants shared a renewed sense of purpose — not only to carry their personal encounters with Christ back to their homes, but to live them out in more concrete and intentional ways within their parishes and communities.
Whether through family life, friendships, ministries or quiet acts of service, attendees emphasized that the fruits of SEEK are meant to extend far beyond the conference walls.
For many Catholics in the Archdiocese of Denver, SEEK was not simply a moment of renewal, but a call to live as missionary disciples — sent forth to ignite faith in others and to help build up the Church, one heart on fire for Christ at a time.
Deacon Gelasio Velasco, of St. Claire of Assisi Parish in Edwards, said, “It’s amazing to see thousands of people aiming for the same goal — the Lord. It reminds you that it’s not just our small communities, but the whole world following Christ.”
André Escaleira, Jr., contributed to this report.
