Knights of Columbus Forms U of T College Chapter

By Aloysius Wong

Published in The Torch, newsletter for the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto

August 21, 2020

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I personally decided to join the Knights after the passing of my friend, Shane Beal in May of last year. He had been preparing to join the Knights of Columbus himself, following in his own grandfather’s footsteps, before his abrupt death. In fact, through later discussion with his family, I learned that he had been posthumously inducted into the order. Burdened with grief but increasingly inspired by how I knew him to be so devoted to and passionate about the Catholic faith, I found myself wondering if I should resolve to follow in his footsteps as well. Over the course of several months, I continued to reflect and pray about the matter, eventually concluding that I would join at some indefinite later date.

While I had initially planned to become involved with the Knights simply as a way to personally grow in faith and honour a friend’s memory, it grew into much more. Newman’s Director of Campus Ministry, Erin Kinsella, first mentioned the idea of founding a college council of the order last December. Several email threads and phone calls later, there were tangible plans to found a new Knights of Columbus college council at UofT.

Things moved quickly from there, and in February, a delegation of leaders from the local and state levels visited Newman during one evening of Pray and Play to convince the Newman community to support the idea of a college council and consider joining the order. I spoke as well, recounting primarily my personal journey and inspiration, and the opportunity and spiritual growth I believed it would bring. I found myself deeply moved and astounded to witness so many people express interest and excitement about it, and I couldn’t help but feel the Holy Spirit’s presence that evening. Several weeks later, on March 10th, new members—including myself—were inducted into the order at a ceremony in the Newman chapel. The idea that had been planted only a few weeks ago came that much closer to fruition.

I have long been influenced by a passage from the Epistle of James, in which he writes, “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17). Our Catholic faith is one that demands not only that we trust and believe in God, but act on this faith in a way that transforms both ourselves and those around us. My hope is that this college council will develop into a presence through which Catholic men on campus become known for such acts of fraternity and charity, supporting one another and the greater community. The new council is almost ready to begin in earnest, with only a few procedural steps to complete: finalizing leadership roles within the council, creating plans for the year to come, and selecting a name for the council, to name a few. The ongoing pandemic will also prove to be a challenge as we strive to plant our roots and establish a niche within Newman and the larger university community. But I am confident that this will grow into something that will last. United through faith and our love for the risen Lord, we will persevere and continue to build a brighter, fairer future, together.

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Anyone interested in joining the Shane Beal council is encouraged to do so by contacting Aloysius at aloysius.wong@protonmail.com or the 2025-26 Grand Knight, Adam Gauran at gauran.10.08@gmail.com. Aloysius Wong was an undergraduate student studying Peace, Conflict and Justice and a member of Newman community's praise and worship music ministry for the 7pm Sunday Mass. He is also the Founding Grand Knight for the University of Toronto Shane Beal College Council of the Knights of Columbus, as well as a regional youth representative for Development and Peace/Caritas Canada.