Deacon John Rapacki

Deacon John
   was born and raised in Uniondale, New York, a blue-collar suburb on Long Island.  His parents, John and Francis, were first generation Americans, both the children of immigrants from Poland. Polish heritage was a cornerstone of life in Uniondale, especially as John and his two younger brothers helped work the family Polish Delicatessen and Catering business throughout their childhood.
   In 1976, Deacon John graduated from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and began a career in the Hospitality Industry in the New England region. In 1978 John returned to Long Island and soon after met the love of his life Christine (also of Polish descent).
   In 1979 he married Christine and they had two Sons: John and Adam, both of whom had careers that led them to the Houston area in 2007. Their oldest son John and his wife Erin have graced Deacon John and Christine with three Grand Children: John Joseph, James Francis, and Elizabeth Catherine. Their youngest son Adam is single and resides in the City of Houston.
   In May of 2010 Deacon John was conferred a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York and later that month Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop William Murphy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  Deacon John’s ordination culminated a seven and one half year journey including a year and a half of discernment, two years of study at the Pastoral Formation Institute and four years of Seminary study and formation.
   Upon ordination, Deacon John served the people of St. Thomas More in Hauppauge, New York, a Catholic community of some 2,100 families where he led a variety of ministries. During his tenure as Deacon for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Deacon John served over a period of five years as a regular guest homilist on “The Word,” a production of the Diocesan television station ‘Telecare TV’ which was circulated to seven marketplaces in the US and distributed to some 60 million homes.  Deacon John and Christine also served as moderators for the Diocesan Pre-Cana weekend program.
   Deacon John also authored and produced prayer services designed specifically for Good Friday observances. Among his works are “The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross” and “Tenebrae.”  Deacon John also authored, produced and promoted a retreat designed especially for men focused on the Beatitudes entitled “Are You Man Enough to be Christ-like.”
   In October of 2016 Deacon John and Christine moved permanently to the Houston area so that they may be with their children and grandchildren.
   In March of 2017 Deacon John was assigned to ministry at St. Luke the Evangelist by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.