building a transformative young adult Catholic community

At the beginning of 2021, a few young adult Catholics in San Antonio seeking Christ-centered community gathered together to watch FOCUS’ “SEEK Where You Are” conference. Following the conference, a group of 20 new friends joined a local softball league in town to stay in touch, and they lost every game. Despite the losses, the friends grew close to each other through the fellowship the league brought about. These friends decided to switch to play sand volleyball in the same local league, inviting other friends in and the group grew larger. The group eventually grew too large to join the local league without filling all of the teams, so as a fruit of prayer and with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the friends branched off to form their own volleyball league in San Antonio. With continued prayer, the volleyball league transformed into a young adult group called ‘Abound’ that seeks to fill the needs of young adult Catholics, now having 250-300 young adults involved weekly. We are now in the process of gaining nonprofit status and seeking official Archdiocesan recognition. Formed with Catholic roots, Abound has kept its Catholic identity with hopes that other young adults in the San Antonio area will find Christ-centered community upon encountering our group.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13, Paul writes to a community that seemingly provides for Paul what the people of our Abound community provide for one another. Paul shares that in his time of tribulation, he was consoled in this community through their faith. Night and day he prays to see them, and he thanks God for the joy with which he finds through them. He then prays that they abound in love for one another and for all. In imitation of Paul, we pray Abound is a place for young adults to abound in love for one another in community. We pray we are a place for young adults to abound in faith, and we pray we are a place for young adults to abound together in joy. Hence, our organization’s name: Abound.

Abound’s two pillars are faith and community. In all that we do, Abound strives to create many different ways for young adults to live out both of these pillars abundantly.

As we strive to live out our mission of “building a transformative young adult Catholic community,” Abound seeks to provide opportunities for young adults to gather together from across town to share life together as disciples of Christ. We currently provide weekly nights of Catholic talks – led by young adult speakers – and small group time, a volleyball league, a soccer league, and frequent socials. Young adults, Abound welcomes you and hopes that you too will join our community!