In a 2023 report, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy addressed an increase in the feeling of social disconnection, writing that, “In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.”
In talking about the Catholic Church’s role in responding to what has been called an epidemic of loneliness, Bishop Michael Izen said to those who are experiencing loneliness that “you’re not alone … that’s true on two levels.”
“First of all, because of God, the Lord; your heavenly Father looks upon you with great, great love, no matter how alone you might feel. He looks upon us with great love all the time,” Bishop Izen said during a segment of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show set to air at 9 p.m. July 11 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. Second, “you’re not alone in the sense that there’s other people who feel the way you do.”
Bishop Izen said at times, technology can play a role in social disconnection. He mentioned recently being at a restaurant and seeing a couple at a nearby table; both were looking at their phones “the whole time … they weren’t talking to each other.”
In reflecting on this, Bishop Izen said he thought about “the idea of being present” and how “as Catholics, that phrase ‘real presence’ is so meaningful to us. … Like so many priests, I start every day with an hour in front of the Lord in his real presence, and then part of that is to go and be present to others. … I know the Lord wants me to go and be present to the person in front of me.”
Bishop Izen acknowledged that “we need our phones for some things,” but said that “being virtually present doesn’t cut it versus actually being in someone’s presence.”
“Technology does connect us and yet isolation is still a growing problem because we are less inspired, I think, to make those personal contacts,” Bishop Izen said.
To build social connection, Bishop Izen encouraged Catholics to “introduce yourself to someone after Mass. … To feel like you belong, maybe you have to make the effort to reach out to say ‘hi’ to somebody after Mass, or sign up for a volunteer opportunity, or go to an extracurricular event where there’s actually visiting as part of it.”
In terms of familial relationships or friendships that have faded, Bishop Izen encouraged “taking that bold move” and saying “I’m going to reach out.”
“We’re made for communion, we’re made to be in relationship,” Bishop Izen said. “I think if that’s missing, then that’s something we can take to prayer, even take it to adoration, to the Lord.”
Bishop Izen urged the faithful experiencing loneliness to look to the Eucharist “when we feel like we’re struggling, and we feel like we don’t know what to do.” During the Mass, as the celebrant elevates the Eucharist, “that’s a sign of Christ’s victory,” he said. “So, no matter what we’re struggling with, just take a breath because Jesus has already won. And he wants to be present in our lives.”
To hear the full interview with radio show producer Rachael McCallum, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 13.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Father Joseph Bambenek, the associate director of the archdiocesan Office for the Renewal of Structures, and Kate Soucheray, a licensed marriage and family therapist emeritus and a member of St. Ambrose of Woodbury.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
