Rev. John W. Brennan, OSFS (1936-2024)
With sadness, but with faith in the Resurrection, we announce that our brother, Rev. John W. Brennan, OSFS, passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, December 5, 2024. He was a professed member of the Oblates for 69 years and a priest for 59 years. A teacher, religious superior, parish priest, and loyal friend, Fr. Brennan was a dedicated Oblate and a faithful son of St. Francis de Sales and the Church.
Born in Scranton, PA on July 19, 1936, John was the son of the late Walter Brennan and the late Mary (Sullivan) Brennan. Raised in Philadelphia, John attended St. Bernard Parish School and Northeast Catholic High School. John joined the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales after graduation in 1954. He made his first profession of vows in 1955 and taught history at Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls, NY for a two-year internship as an Oblate seminarian. John made his perpetual profession in 1958.
John earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America. He did graduate work in history at Villanova University and Catholic University. He completed his studies for the priesthood at De Sales School of Theology in Hyattsville, MD and was ordained to the priesthood at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, DE by Bishop Michael W. Hyle on February 6, 1965.
Following ordination, Fr. Brennan was assigned to Father Judge High School in Philadelphia. During his almost twenty years at Judge, Fr. Brennan taught religion, history, and world languages. He also served as chairman of the social studies department, moderator of the school newspaper, and chaplain to the crew team. In the late 1960s, the young priest recruited yearbook students to write lyrics for the school Alma Mater; the melody was based on a 19th-century German military march and is still sung today. Some of these students he collaborated with remained life-long friends.
During his time at Judge, Fr. Brennan served on the Council of Religious Teachers for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 1971, Fr. Brennan was elected for a two-year term as President of the Council of Religious Teachers. In this role, he represented almost 3,000 priests, brothers, and religious sisters serving in secondary education in the greater Philadelphia area.
In the early 1980s, Father Brennan was asked to join the faculty at Salesianum School in Wilmington, DE. During his time at “Sallies,” Father Brennan taught history, ministered as chaplain for the school football program, and was known for his ability to rally the team (and their fans) with his inspiring homilies before a game and his constant presence on the sidelines.
In 1987, Fr. Brennan was elected to serve as a Provincial Councilor for the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates. In this capacity, he was an advisor to the Provincial Superior, Rev. Richard Reese, a classmate and friend going back to his days as a student at North.
In 1990, Fr. Brennan was named religious superior of the Oblate community at DeSales House in Wilmington, DE. He continued to teach at Salesianum, while taking on new responsibilities working with Oblates engaged in diverse ministries in the diocese of Wilmington. At the conclusion of his term in 1993, Fr. Brennan became the superior of the Buckley Hall Oblate community at the DeSales Centre and retreat house in Childs, MD.
He continued to work with young people while serving as chaplain at Aviat Academy (Childs, MD). His gift of motivating students even extended to grade school children. One of the Oblate Sisters (who staff the academy) recalled that Fr. Brennan’s homilies always inspired the pupils and taught them to focus on their faith.
As Superior, Fr. Brennan was involved in the planning and construction of Annecy Hall, the new assisted care facility built on the Oblate property at Childs. Annecy Hall was officially opened in 1994, and Fr. Brennan became the first superior of the combined community of both Buckley Hall and Annecy Hall.
After completing two terms as superior, Fr. Brennan began a new phase of his vocation when he moved back to Philadelphia in 1999. Fr. Brennan was appointed parochial vicar at Our Mother of Consolation (OMC) Parish in the Chestnut Hill section of the city. The Oblates had just taken over the administration of the parish and Fr. Brennan brought many years of religious life and priestly experience to his role. A parishioner from OMC recalled that Fr. Brennan was a calming presence whether at mass, in the church parking lot, or during parish meetings.
Fr. Brennan had served as a weekend assistant at many parishes in the Wilmington and Philadelphia area. For 15 years, while stationed at Father Judge, he celebrated the sacraments with students, families, and neighbors at nearby St. Timothy Catholic Church. Known for his homilies and hearty laugh, Fr. Brennan brought Salesian spirituality and the “gentle-strength” of Francis de Sales to any parish where he was assigned.
Facing age and health issues, Fr. Brennan officially retired in 2003 and returned to the Oblate community at Childs as a resident at Annecy Hall. He could now enjoy the care and comfort he had helped to create a decade earlier.
Though he was slowing down, Fr. Brennan was an important part of the local community and continued his dedication and service to others, especially his Oblate confreres. He served on the house council and became an advisor to the superiors, managers, and staff of Annecy Hall.
Fr. Brennan kept up with the news of the day and was always willing to share his opinion. He wrote letters to editors of newspapers and magazines, sharing his comments and knowledge of both church and world history. He took an interest in everything happening around the Oblate province and was always welcoming to new members of the community.
Fr. Brennan is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ann Toner. In addition to his Oblate religious community, Father is survived by his sister Jean Pivetz, his brother, Terence Brennan, and many nieces, nephews, grandnephews, and nieces.
When Fr. Brennan left Father Judge in the early 1980s, he was given a large card signed by the student-athletes and coaches that said: “forever a part of our team.” The Oblates, alumni of Judge and Sallies, parishioners, and the many people who Fr. Brennan influenced throughout his long life can say the same about Father John W. Brennan: forever a part of our lives – always in our hearts.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Arrangements:
The viewing for Fr. Brennan will be held on Tuesday, December 17 from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Chapel of Our Lady of Light at the DeSales Centre in Childs, MD. The Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Oblate Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to Fr. John’s sister:
Mrs. Jean Pivetz
749 Brafferton Drive
Pittsburgh, PA15228
Fr. Brennan (center front) with his extended family.