Saint Paul’s and 199 UW-Madison students started off 2025 in Utah at the FOCUS SEEK Conference. They joined 17,000 other Catholics, most of whom are college students, to encounter Jesus Christ and His Church more deeply.
UW-Madison students were able to meet college students from across the country who share their faith during a week of spiritual growth and renewal. Attendees experienced exceptional Masses with over 100 priests, 20 bishops, and thousands of college students. Three seminarians from the Diocese of Madison assisted in Masses throughout the week, with Deacon David Jaramillo preaching the Gospel during Friday’s Mass. Prayer was also a large component of the conference with Adoration offered continuously throughout, and a two hour Adoration session where the Eucharist was processed past each person. Many students from Saint Paul’s had transformative experiences through Adoration, confession, and prayer teams offered during this time.
Brooke Ruhle, a young adult from the Madison Diocese, spoke to her experience with prayer teams. “I experienced on a personal level the power of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and community as I was prayed over,” she said. “During this time I was reminded and came to see in a new light the powerful intercession of the saints, as well as God’s unconditional and unique love for every person He created in His image and likeness.”
The majority of each day was spent hearing world-renowned speakers, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Miriam James, and Edward Sri. Throughout the week speakers gave insight to the Gospel – the relationship, rebellion, reconciliation, recreation, and response that encapsulates a life with Christ.
A member of Saint Paul’s staff commented, “The continual formation offered at SEEK is an incredible experience for anyone who attends – there is no other Catholic event where this quality of speakers and information is offered.”
Students also had the opportunity to explore Salt Lake City, meet with Catholic companies from across the country, and attend a Forrest Frank concert while at the conference. Saint Paul’s hosted an Alumni dinner where all past and present members of the apostolate were able to meet for a dinner and fervorino by Fr. Eric Sternberg (pastor of Saint Paul’s). All of the experiences that were had will not only impact the students who went, but all of UW-Madison as they share what they have learned with all those they encounter on campus.
