• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Outreach fueled by faith

December 13, 2017
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: Faces of Faith, Feature, Giving, Local News, News, Urban Vicariate

Several years after Brian Gracie began raising funds to support the Franciscan Center’s emergency assistance programs for impoverished people in Baltimore, a member of his own family found himself in need of those very services.

The family member had been a highly successful attorney and accountant whose life unraveled as a result of mental illness and the abuse of drugs and alcohol. The Franciscan Center provided much-needed meals and other support.

“You have people from all walks of life falling down and needing help,” said Gracie, a 50-year-old parishioner of the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley. “What I like about the Franciscan Center is that it not only helps the poor and needy, but it tries to make a transformation in their lives.”

Brian Gracie, shown at the Franciscan Center in Baltimore, tries to live out the Gospel mandate to help others. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Gracie, founder and partner at Heritage Financial Consultants in Hunt Valley and a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, was honored this fall as the Franciscan Center’s 2017 recipient of the Spirit of St. Francis Award. The recognition is given to an individual who upholds and demonstrates the center’s ideals.

Gracie, a founding member of the Franciscan Center’s Circle of St. Francis, said he admires the breadth of the charity’s ministry.

“It’s not just the lunch and dinner programs,” he said. “They are teaching them skills, helping with resumes and getting them in a position of being able to go out to get that interview and get that job.”

Gracie highlighted the Franciscan Center’s “Attire 4 Hire” program that provides business clothing for those searching for employment. The center has other offerings, including a children’s library, counseling services, mail service, health screenings and more.

In addition to supporting the Franciscan Center, the graduate of James Madison University in Virginia is involved in similar development efforts with Catholic Charities of Baltimore. He is also active on the board of directors of the Baltimore branch of The First Tee, a program that builds character and teaches young people respect through golf. The program has introduced golf to children in inner-city Baltimore neighborhoods.

Gracie’s outreach is fueled in large measure by his Catholic faith.

“When I read the Bible, I see that Jesus talks all the time about helping people in need,” said Gracie, who grew up in St. Joseph Parish in Cockeysville.

A father of two grown children who has been married to his wife, Gina, for 26 years, Gracie said he did not become fully engaged in his faith until his late 20s. That’s when he started attending a nondenominational men’s Bible study every week. Begun by one of his business partners, the Bible study was conducted by three chaplains for the PGA Golf Tour.

“It was very non-threatening,” said Gracie, who still faithfully attends the Bible studies. “I’ve always believed in God. This makes you more accountable and it connected all the dots.”

Gracie is encouraged by Pope Francis’ frequent calls for a greater awareness about the needs of the poor and vulnerable. He hopes more people will become aware of the outreach provided by the Franciscan Center.

“It’s a bit of a hidden secret in Baltimore,” he said, “but, if you’re a person in need, you know all about how serious they are at the Franciscan Center about providing help.”

Meg Ducey, director of development and marketing for the Franciscan Center, said it was fitting to honor Gracie as the center begins its 50th year.

“His wisdom and leadership in our Circle of St. Francis has helped guide the Franciscan Center’s growth,” she said. “He exemplifies the spirit of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, who said, ‘Preach the Gospel at all times, and, when necessary, use words.’”

Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org. 

Read more ‘Faces of Faith’ profiles here.

 

 

 

 

 

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, has served as managing editor since September 2021. He previously served as a writer, senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and digital editor of the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In his current role, he oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 100 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Sister Joan Matthews dies at 93

RADIO INTERVIEW: Archbishop Lori Milestones

At Baltimore Basilica, Cardinal Sarah says holiness is possible

Archbishop William Lori announces clerical appointments, including two new pastors

St. Mary’s Seminary charters its first Knights of Columbus council – named after alumnus who founded the Knights

Latest World News

Ukrainians ‘have made the Bible come alive’ for world, says archbishop

Poverty driving children into forced labor must be tackled, pope says

Cardinal Parolin launches Catholic app for military personnel

Archbishop Lori joins bishops expressing sorrow, condemning racially motivated shooting in Buffalo

Saints’ lives prove God’s love for all, pope says at canonization Mass

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Sister Joan Matthews dies at 93
  • Ukrainians ‘have made the Bible come alive’ for world, says archbishop
  • RADIO INTERVIEW: Archbishop Lori Milestones
  • Poverty driving children into forced labor must be tackled, pope says
  • Cardinal Parolin launches Catholic app for military personnel
  • At Baltimore Basilica, Cardinal Sarah says holiness is possible
  • Archbishop Lori joins bishops expressing sorrow, condemning racially motivated shooting in Buffalo
  • Saints’ lives prove God’s love for all, pope says at canonization Mass
  • When St. Bernadette’s relics came to Baltimore

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2022 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED