Worthy Chapter President and Brother Knights,
I bring you greetings from our State Chaplain, Bishop Mulvey, and our Associate State Chaplain, Fr. Chen, whom I am in contact.
We are in the Jubilee Year of Hope, which celebrates the 2,025th anniversary of the greatest love story in the history of mankind, the Incarnation - the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us (John, Chapter 1). In this Jubilee Year of Hope, KC Council #10333 hosted the Men's Retreat with the theme: Hope. As Catholic men and Knights of Columbus, we are called to be signs of hope when we live out the principles of our Order: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.
Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly spoke of this in his column for the July/August 2025 edition of the "Columbia" magazine, as he reflected on Pope Leo XIV and the Order of St. Augustine and the principles of the Knights.
Pope Leo XIV and the “The Augustinians’ core values. . . described as unity, community and friendship — themes that Blessed Michael McGivney also infused into the Knights of Columbus.”“And like the Knights, the Augustinians are known for building strong fraternal bonds, so they can then dedicate themselves to works of charity and sacrifice for others, especially the poor and the outcast.”Pope Leo XIV: “. . .people who suffer from different experiences of depression or sadness — they can discover that the love of God is truly healing, that it brings hope. Coming together as friends, as brothers and sisters, in community, in a parish, in an experience of living our faith together, we can find that the Lord’s grace, that the love of God can truly heal us, can give us the strength we need, can be the source of hope that we all need in our lives.”
As I reflected on what the Supreme Knight wrote and how we - as Knights - are called to be signs of hope in the world, these thoughts came to mind that I wish to share with my brother Knights.
When I reflected on the principle of charity, this story of "A Wimberley Knight heeds the call", in the aftermath of the Kerr County flooding over the 4th of July weekend, came to mind. I am grateful to Brother Knight, Blake K., share sending me the link to the article, and I would encourage my brother Knights to read it and share it with your families and councils. This Wimberley Knight became a sign of hope for a devastated community when they needed the light of Christ in their lives the most.
Our Diocesan Deputy, Victor M., shared his experience at the Supreme Convention in Washington, D.C. and how he was able to connect with brother Knights from all over the world. We come from different backgrounds, cultures, and parts of the world but we are all united together under the one banner of Christ, through our common ideologies and goals as Knights of Columbus. Our unity strengthens us to do God's work in the world and be the light of Christ in a world that hungers for unity, not divisions.
I shared in the meeting that, no matter how stressful my day might be, when I gather together in fraternity with my brother Knights, I am blessed and inspired because each of us has our own challenges in our daily lives, yet we come together as brother Knights to do the work of God, of our Church, of our Order for love of God, Church, and the Order. Be encouraged by each other for "iron sharpens iron."
Finally, as our State Deputy, Ron Alonzo, reminds us, we do all things for the good of the Order and for the greater glory of God. And, I will add to that, for our love of God and country, as the principle of patriotism calls us to do.
And so, my brother Knights, we are called to be signs of hope for our families, our councils, our parishes, the Church, and the world. But it starts first with us and our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the source of our hope. For this reason, we must pray more, continued to be formed in our Catholic faith, and grow in mutual respect and love for each other. Sounds familiar? It should. These are the principles of Cor: prayer, formation, and fraternity.
As the Diocesan Director of Evangelization & Faith Formation (EFF), I encourage all councils to implement the Cor initiative at your parish. If you have questions, then please feel free to email me at deaconphuc@gmail.com. Or come to our Cor meeting at Saint Albert the Great Catholic Church and see what Cor is all about (see information below).
Finally, let us pray for our Bishop-designate Daniel E. Garcia as be prepares to be our shepherd, as we pray:
Almighty and ever-living God, with profound gratitude for your generous providence and by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has chosen the Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia as our next bishop. We ask that you grant Bishop Garcia the holiness and strength to be a shepherd after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.May his benevolent care and kindly zeal strengthen the People of God by the light of the Gospel and the power of the sacraments. With our prayers and support, and in the spirit of his episcopal motto, let us know “walk humbly with God” alongside Bishop Garcia for many years to come.In gratitude for the intercession of our patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Vivat Jesus!
Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in July:
Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of August
- PERSONAL & FAMILY: PRAYER EXERCISE from Men’s Retreat (& Cor): “How can I pray for you today?”
- COUNCIL: Cor initiative: (a) pray, (b) faith formation, and (c) fraternity / fellowship. Council #10333 starting Cor this Thursday, Aug. 28th, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. We will be exploring the KC series: "Men of the Word".
. . .
(UPDATE 9/12/2025) Invitation for Men to Become Who God Created Them to Be
This is an invitation for men to become who God created us to be for our wives, families, and communities.
In the Book of Proverbs, we read that "Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another" (27:17). As men, we can help and strengthen each other to become saints and live lives of holiness and virtue. If this is something that you desire for yourself, your marriage, and your family, then here are ministries that St. Albert the Great that can help you on this path to holiness.
1. Cor https://saintalbert.org/cor
2. Pathfinder https://saintalbert.org/pathfinders-1
3. Abide Young Adults (for men and women) https://saintalbert.org/young-adult-campus-ministry
4. Welcome Retreat https://saintalbert.org/welcome-weekend-retreat-for-men (these also one for women)
Ladies, I hope that you encourage your men to set aside time so they can grow in their faith and become the men you need them to be.
Men, if you have any questions about any of these wonderful ministries for men, then please let me know.
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