Page 38 - APRIL 2019 FOP MAGAZINE

Praise Father Dan
Chicago police chaplain honored for his one-of-a-kind support to officers
Father Dan Brandt, director of the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry, offers some words of thanks and praise after receiving the Knights of Columbus Police Council “Man of the Year Award.” Afterward, he shares a laugh with Grand Knight Dennis Fitzgerald.
■ BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
■ PHOTOS BY JAMES PINTO
God’s work has always manifested through Father Dan Brandt with unique and powerful impacts on Chicago Po- lice Officers. Accordingly, Father Dan is walking, talking, joking, loving, under- standing, upstanding, refreshing and en- dearing proof that the Lord truly works in proactive, responsive and mysterious ways.
So when Knights of Columbus Police Council #12173 honored Father Dan as its “Man of the Year” on March 23, it was certainly evident that he was being rec- ognized in part for the greatest gift he brings as director of the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry. He is the good hu- mor man, working around the clock to bring a joke and a smile to so many Chi- cago Police Officers and their families.
Naturally, when it came time to accept the award during the 21st Police Coun- cil Anniversary Celebration at Mayfield Banquets, Father Dan jested about ev- erything from Lodge 7 President Kevin Graham to Bill and Hillary Clinton. All of which merely confirmed the healing and medicinal power of Father Dan and the team of Chicago police chaplains for whom he accepted the award.
“First of all, I accept this award on behalf of Moshe Wolf, Bob Montelongo, Joe Jackson, Kimberly Lewis-Davis and Hysni Selenica. We’re a team,” Father Dan stated in recognizing the members of the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry.
38 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ APRIL 2019
The past year presented many reasons for the team to be honored for its work, especially amid the multiple tragedies of Chicago officers lost in the line of duty. When considering the teamwork, though, Father Dan asserted a pointed description of what the chaplains try to do every day.
“I hope we are being recognized for, that through our words, through our actions, through our response and our presence that our officers realize some- thing trickles down to remind them that they’re doing God’s work,” he continued. “They look at us and say, ‘Oh, you’re do- ing God’s work.’ No. They’re doing God’s work. They’re the first face of normalcy and order and the first face of God that some of the people in our neighbor- hoods get to see.”
Father Dan and Deacon Bob, as Offi- cer Montelongo is affectionately known throughout the Department, continue to be out in the streets on their weekly 24- hour tours supporting patrol and other officers on the beat. That is part of the chaplains’ unit proactive approach to supporting CAPS and other programs in which officers are trying to get ahead of and prevent crime.
Behind the scenes, he evokes the work the chaplains have been doing with re- cruits at the academy. They do at least three formal presentations for each class from the time they recruits come into the academy until the time the are pinned with their stars to let new officers know
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And lately, the chaplains have been addressing new sergeants, lieutenants and captains as they get promoted.
“We get an hour to remind them how important their work is in looking out for the officers as supervisors,” Father Dan added.
When offered a set-up line about what he loves most about the job, Father Dan immediately quipped, “Being able to park wherever I want. Maybe you better leave that line out.”
Then, in typical Father Dan fashion – in the manner that makes him Man of the Year every year and every day – he delved into what had occurred the previous 24 hours as an expression of gratitude for being able to serve. After hearing confes- sions for three hours, he gave last rights to Chicago Officer John Rivera, who was killed in an off-duty ambush. He then held Mass and performed a wedding cer- emony.
“I love the fact that what I get to do is dealing literally with life and death,” he said. “I’m doing now what I was ordained to do.”
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as they get acclimated to the job. They speak to their family members to, as Fa- ther Dan said, “remind them and their loved ones of the sacred duty they have.”
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