FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Builders and rebuilders were honored, and a record-breaking $2.3 million was raised on Sept. 25 at the Bishop’s Humanitarian Dinner for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
The Humanitarian Award recipients were Msgr. John Bracken, whose legacy includes rebuilding parishes after Hurricane Sandy, and Monadnock Construction, Inc., known for building affordable housing in New York City.
Deacon John Warren, also a champion of affordable housing, received the Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Service Award.
The Healey and Hagerty families, the forces behind the Healey Family Foundation, accepted the Ubi Caritas Award.
Bishop Robert Brennan praised the recipients and the 1,019 attendees who went on to raise the $2.3 million during the dinner at Cipriani Wall Street. He drew applause by reminding them that CCBQ is one of the nation’s largest providers of affordable housing.
But, he added, these units are not just a “safe place to live, a place to hang your hat.”
“Our housing centers are integrated with other things, like the senior centers,” Bishop Brennan said. “So, there’s a whole spectrum of opportunity — services that are provided in one place, a community where neighbors look out for one another.
“Every person is treated with dignity and respect, so thank you.”
The Humanitarian Award honors people who demonstrate exceptional personal commitment to the well-being of others in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
In a career spanning 58 years, Msgr. Bracken has pastored several parishes in the diocese, served as an episcopal vicar, and led a capital campaign that raised $79 million for churches and schools to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Bronx-based Monadnock Construction and its founder, Nick Lembo, accepted the Humanitarian Award for collaborating with CCBQ to construct thousands of affordable housing units locally.
Deacon Warren is a founding partner of Workforce Housing Group, president of MHR Management, Inc., and a permanent deacon at Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Floral Park, Queens. Deacon Warren received his award in recognition of his career working to achieve affordable housing.
This award is presented in memory of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Sullivan (1930-2013), who was an executive vice president for CCBQ. Recipients are recognized for following Bishop Sullivan’s example by devoting their lives to the people of Brooklyn and Queens.
The Ubi Caritas Award recognizes distinguished and unselfish support of human services. Jeremy and Megan (McKee) Healey accepted the award for the Healey and Hagerty families. Its members serve as trustees for the Healey Family Foundation, a charitable giving organization that counts Catholic Charities as one of its longtime beneficiaries. Megan Healey is a Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Board of Trustee.
Finally, CCBQ presented the John J. Farrell Award to three 30-year employees — Lorna Johnson, Indira Mangroo, and Gaelle Prussie.
Msgr. Robert Romano, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bensonhurst and NYPD chaplain, was the event’s master of ceremonies.
Assisting with the award presentations were Bishop Brennan, Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, CCBQ president and CEO, and Father Patrick Keating, CCBQ deputy CEO.
Comedian and talk show host Joe Piscopo entertained the audience, performing the music of Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, among others.
The $2.3 million raised at the annual fundraiser edged past last year’s record-breaking event of $2 million. All proceeds benefit CCBQ’s more than 160 programs and services.
Founded 126 years ago, in 1899, the agency provides food pantries, counseling, and other services for individuals with physical and mental challenges, senior citizens’ centers, and affordable housing.
Msgr. Bracken extolled the audience on the lasting impact of expressing gratitude.
“If you fail to say thank you,” he said, “it never comes back. It’s lost in space. But tonight, I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who is here.
“Thank you, not in my name, but thank you in the name of every man, woman, and child who will receive services from Catholic Charities.”