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Monsignor John J. Brennan - Brooklyn NY

Monsignor John J. Brennan - Brooklyn NY

Lauren MacKenzie Petit (View posts)
Posted: 1 Jun 2000 6:08PM GMT
I am researching the life of Monsignor John
J. Brennan (1886-1964). He was born in
Brooklyn NY to Peter Brennan Ellen Meehan.
He attended St. John's College Seminary
served in the Diocese of Brooklyn for most of
his religious life. His last parish was
Immaculate Heart of Mary (Brooklyn) where he
served as pastor from 1943 until his death.
I would appreciate any stories or tidbits about
Monsignor Brennan and his life as a Roman
Catholic priest.

Re: Monsignor John J. Brennan - Brooklyn NY

Posted: 1 Oct 2007 1:27AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Brennan, Meehan
I continue to research Msgr Brennan's life. My current email address is lmpetit@cox.net

Re: Monsignor John J. Brennan - Brooklyn NY

Posted: 22 Jul 2013 6:59AM GMT
Classification: Query
I attended Immaculate Heart of Mary grammar school from
1958 to my graduation in 1966. I have fond memories of Monsignor Brennan. I have never forgotten him or his grandfatherly demeanor. I recall his passing out report cards to the students twice yearly. He would call out my first name, then pretend to play a piccolo as he read my last name. Needless to say, this brought screams of approval from my classmates. I also recall walking the one
block from the grammar school to the church during our lunch time and hoping Monsignor would be sitting on the steps between the rectory and the church. It was a real treat for me to speak with him. He would speak with whomever else was in my group. I truly looked forward to those talks. However it was so long ago, I cannot recall anything we spoke about then. I also remember my First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Monsignor Brennan would greet Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
I observed their interactions and got the impression that they had known one another since their early years in the priesthood.I truly miss those days growing up in my beloved Brooklyn. I would not trade them for the world !

Re: Monsignor John J. Brennan - Brooklyn NY

Posted: 28 Jul 2013 7:32PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: MacKenzie, Brennan
Thank you for sharing your wonderful remembrances of my favorite uncle. He was certainly a kind man who ... in an era before scandal tainted the Catholic clergy ... enjoyed spending time with the parish children in the school yard and the class room. Much to the annoyance of the nuns! He loved pranks and would sometimes perform magic tricks, pulling quarters out of the ears of unsuspecting (or very much suspecting) youngsters. And woe the young girls who wore their hair in pigtails. He loved to tug on them. On hot summer evenings, when the good sisters in the convent were not permitted much freedom outside, he would bring ice cream to share with them. A good man all around. No wonder I thought of him as Santa Claus ... minus the beard, of course.

If you would like to see some pictures of him, I have posted a number on Ancestry.com. Look for MacKenzie-Brennan Family Tree. If you can connect to it, send me your email and I'll be glad to forward you a couple of pictures to remind you of the good padre. Best wishes, Lauren
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