Antidote to Isolation - KC Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (9/22/2025)

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 HAVE A BISHOP! We are blessed to welcome (home) Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Austin. I invite all my brother Knights to read or listen to Bishop Garcia's homily, which he delivered at his Installation. I thank all my brother Sir Knights who were able to fall out for the Installation. It always warms my heart to process through the columns of Sir Knights with swords drawn. It is one of the things that makes the Liturgy in the Catholic Church so beautiful and majestic.

I would like to shift gears now and talk a bit about the column that Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly wrote in the latest edition of the Columbia magazine. The column is titled "An Antidote to Isolation". The Supreme Knight shared these troubling statistics:

A 2020 study found that 28% of men under 30 say they have no close friends. Meanwhile, young men now account for three out of every four “deaths of despair” from suicide or overdose, which have reached historic levels.

 A 2024 Pew study found that 67% of adults under 35 have interacted with an AI companion, and 23% say they prefer these digital relationships to human ones.

He also recognizes that deep down, men desire purpose in life, a sense of belonging, to be a part of something that is greater than themselves. The Supreme Knight states: "Yet, deep down, every man wants to protect and provide — and to serve a cause greater than himself. This is the journey of the spiritual life, and it’s the greatest adventure any man can undertake. It is a life that demands heroism and courage. It’s a life that matters." It is as Saint Augustine observed that our hearts are restless until it rests in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Men will look anywhere and everywhere to fulfill their deepest desires and longings, but they are looking in all the wrong places (money, power, sex, addictions, etc.).

Supreme Knight Kelly then rightly concludes that the Knights of Columbus is the "antidote to isolation" that some many men of all ages, especially young men, are seeking in their lives. This is what he had to say:

This is what the Knights of Columbus offers. We give men the chance to live that life of courage, to be part of something much greater than themselves — and to do that while connecting with like-minded men.

This friendship is the foundation of our fraternity and the goal of our Cor initiative. Cor brings men together in an atmosphere of trust so they can strengthen their relationship with Christ and form genuine friendships in him.

 I completely agree with the Supreme Knight. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as I was watching my nephew play baseball with his teammates, this reflection came to me (pertinent excerpt below):

When we isolate ourselves, we become easy targets for the Evil One to seduce us. However, when we are part of a community that loves, respects, and supports each other, starting with our family, we are strengthened, we have a greater sense of belonging, and we watch after each other - iron sharpens iron.

And so, my brother Knights, I urge you all to take to heart my challenges for the month of October and make the effort to help foster a sense of community for the men in your families and at your parishes. Blessed Michael J. McGivney recognized a need for fraternity among men so that they can support each other with prayers and friendship. From this humble desire came our beloved Order. That is his legacy for all of us and he trusts us to share this legacy with other men so that they too can come to know and have a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be part of a community of men of faith, hope, and love.

Vivat Jesus!

Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in August:

Sign of Hope - KC Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (8/25/2025) (UPDATED: 9/12/2025)

Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of October

• PERSONAL & FAMILY: As Pope Francis once told us, “waste time” with your family, especially your children. Do not let them spend so much time on social media, video games, etc., get them involved with team sports or group activities. Invite them to Cor.
• COUNCIL: Invite brother Knights to Council meetings that you have not seen in a long time (or at least check in on them). We did this during the pandemic, let’s do it now as well.  Invite them to Cor. Host events for families that do not involve them helping in the kitchen or at the pit (i.e., picnic).