Legacy of Faith Catholic Service Award Announced

Judy Bynoe of Mackinac Island and Rev. Louis Bracket of Wakefield have been selected as recipients of the 2011 Legacy of Faith Catholic Service Award, which recognizes lifetime dedication and service to the Catholic Church in the Upper Peninsula. Legacy of Faith is the Endowment Foundation of the Diocese of Marquette.

Judy Bynoe is a long-time resident of Mackinac Island and a member of St. Anne Catholic Church located on Mackinac Island. Bynoe has consistently been an active member of her parish, serving on many different councils and committees, including the liturgical committee and parish council.

A second Catholic Service Award was presented to Father Louis Bracket of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield. To qualify for the award as a member of the clergy, service above and beyond the regular duties of a priest had to be demonstrated.

Father Bracket recently celebrated his 90th birthday and his 64th anniversary as a priest. He was born in Wakefield in 1921. He attended St. Lawrence College and St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1947. He served as pastor at St. Mary Parish in Calumet, St. William Parish in Menominee, St. Cecilia Parish in Caspian, and St. Sebastian Parish in Bessemer. He also served as a chaplain in the Armed Forces in Korea and civilian auxiliary chaplain for the radar base at Grand Marais. He retired to senior priest status in 1995.

In his retirement he continues to help with daily Mass at St. Sebastian in Bessemer, Immaculate Conception in Wakefield and St. Catherine in Marenisco. He frequently visits the sick and dying in their homes and the local nursing home.

Bishop Alexander K. Sample presented the Legacy of Faith Catholic Service Award to Judy Bynoe at her home parish of St. Anne on Mackinac Island and to Father Bracket at St. Sebastian Parish in Bessemer. They received a medallion engraved with the diocesan coat of arms. They were also recognized at the annual Bishop’s Ambassadors’ dinner in Marquette on October 7.

The LOF Catholic Service Award annually recognizes lifetime dedication and service to the Church. It was developed as part of the Legacy of Faith campaign to establish a permanent endowment foundation of the Diocese of Marquette with the mission of preserving and fostering the Catholic faith in the Upper Peninsula.