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Luke Monk: Duty to God and country

West Point freshman believes Catholics are called to be servant leaders

Published: September 11, 2022   

By Maryanne Meyerriecks
Fort Smith Correspondent

Luke Monk believes the Church can use social media to promote “core ideas like attending church weekly, giving a tithe and volunteerism" to young people.

Luke Monk believes the Church can use social media to promote “core ideas like attending church weekly, giving a tithe and volunteerism" to young people.

What social justice issue are you most passionate about?

The social justice issue I am most passionate about is fixing the homelessness epidemic. Having traveled to cities with large homeless populations and seeing homeless people in my hometown, I see this as one of the most important issues that needs to be fixed.

Luke Monk’s college choice was influenced by his belief that Catholics are called to be servant leaders. Plus he wanted to serve his country.

The 18-year-old is a freshman cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. During high school, he focused on this goal, being the first student in the Fort Smith School District to graduate high school with an associate’s degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems, acquired through the district’s Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC) program. Outside of class, he was an active volunteer in Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, student council and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The Sacred Heart of Mary parishioner attended Christ the King School and was active in his parish youth group during high school. He is grateful for his loving, supportive family and community for always encouraging and helping him to make the right decisions.

Monk’s mother, Luciana, is Brazilian. He is fluent in Portuguese and during his time at West Point he hopes to participate in an exchange program with the service academy in Brazil and explore his Brazilian heritage, which strongly influenced his faith.

He said he would like to see the Church use social media with youth more effectively to promote “core ideas like attending church weekly, giving a tithe and volunteerism.” He believes if young people understood their duties as Catholics, they would have a greater sense of purpose and be stronger parishioners in the future.

Click for the 15 Catholic young adults who inspire us, 2022 index 

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