One Year at a Time

Last spring semester I transferred to LSU in the middle of my fourth year of college. Planning only to bide time, graduate, and move onward, I never anticipated getting involved with a group. Yet, I stumbled into a community of students with vision and vigor seeking to satisfy a starving society through the sanctification of minds.

A year later we approach the one year anniversary of the Parousians. With momentum, imagination, and growth we endeavor to continue our mission. Coming from humble beginnings and holding on with meek means, only merciful grace can explain how our mission grew in spite of our own shortcomings.

In January of 2006 at a party hosted by Emily Byers and her roommates I was introduced to Toby Danna. Perplexed at the strange demeanor of this individual and his rampant raging ramblings of starting a group of Catholic intellectuals concerned with the culture, I reluctantly agreed to attend the first meeting at Highland Coffees. From that meeting of eight we continue to gather. Toby’s persistent spirit has consistently helped motivate and direct our group towards a healthy diversity of members with a powerful unity of purpose. As of today our ramblings have transformed into a common bond and scope: a Catholic literary and philosophical society geared towards discerning the relationship of faith and culture guided by reason and revelation.

At some points last spring semester, the common vision was hard for us to sustain and sometimes attendance declined. Meetings sometimes went longer then they should and growing pains surrounded the development of our perception of the group. At times I suffered from cynical ponderings and skepticism over our work and chances for success.

Then this school year we hit the ground running. More students took responsibility, each bringing unique gifts and perspectives. My confidence in the group has been solidified by the exceptional and dynamic students. The richness of the Parousians relies on the contribution of our members. As we commemorate our first year, may the Parousians persist in humility and seek constant re-creation in God’s image through daily grace and in those who would unite with us.