Reverend Monsignor John Bracken to Be Honored

This year, Rockaway’s own Reverend Monsignor John Bracken is being honored as one of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award recipients at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Bishops Humanitarian Dinner on Thursday, September 25.

The Bishop’s Humanitarian Dinner benefits Catholic Charities’ 160-plus programs and services and honors individuals in the community who embody the Catholic Charities mission of helping those most vulnerable.

Since 1899, Catholic Charities has been providing affordable housing, sponsoring senior citizen centers and food pantries, and offering counseling and other support services to individuals with physical and mental challenges. At the 2024 Bishops Humanitarian Dinner, Rev. Msgr. Bracken served as a chairperson on the committee to help celebrate Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens 125th anniversary. The dinner raised more than $2 million, which helps keep programs and services operating at the highest quality.

Each year, Catholic Charities presents the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award to individuals who demonstrate exceptional personal commitment to the well-being of our Diocese. Rev. Msgr. Bracken’s dedication and compassion to those in the community are evident throughout his more than 58 years of service in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Rev. Msgr. Bracken’s long-time service in Queens began in 1967, when he joined St. Francis de Sales as a newly ordained priest. Rev. Msgr. Bracken also served at St. Teresa, Woodside, from 1977 to 1980, and at Our Lady Help of Christians, Midwood, from 1980 to 1984.

In 1984, Rev. Msgr. Bracken was promoted to Episcopal Vicar for Northern Queens and parts of Brooklyn, where he oversaw 58 parishes in the area. Among the notable aspects of Rev. Msgr. Bracken’s career, his role as Development Director enabled him to lead a capital campaign that raised nearly $79 million for the parishes throughout the Diocese.

Rev. Msgr. Bracken continued as manager of general finances until 2009, when he was ready to return to parish life as an administrator at St. Mary Star of the Sea-St. Gertrude in Far Rockaway.

During Hurricane Sandy, Rev. Msgr. Bracken tended to Blessed Trinity in Breezy Point, helping parishioners rebuild and comforting those who struggled with the damage and loss to their homes and communities.

Rev. Msgr. Bracken returned to St. Francis as an administrator and temporary pastor until 2017.

Currently, Rev. Msgr. Bracken serves as the Director of Patrimony for the Diocese, where he assists pastors in evaluating and obtaining appraisals for stained glass windows and other religious artifacts when churches close. Those items are then sent to churches throughout the U.S. and overseas, to places like Haiti and the Caribbean, to help share cultural and faith artifacts with other parishes.

Rev. Msgr. Bracken’s commitment to faith, service, and community exemplifies the very spirit of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award. His tireless dedication over his 58 years of service has left an enduring impact not only on the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens but on countless lives touched by his compassion, leadership, and unwavering faith.

As we celebrate his legacy at this year’s Bishop’s Humanitarian Dinner, we are reminded of the profound difference one individual can make when guided by purpose and faith.

The Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Bishops Humanitarian Dinner will be held September 25 at Cipriani (55 Wall Street) in Manhattan. For tickets, contact 718-722-6202 or ccbq.events@ccbq.org.