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Rev. Donald E. Brennan, O.S.A. (1927 - 2010)

Rev. Donald E. Brennan, O.S.A., 82, died peacefully at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010. He was in Hospice care. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer a few weeks earlier. He did not fear death; rather, his attitude was one of hopeful longing for his new life with the Lord.

Donald Eugene Brennan was born in December, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to Walter J. and Norrine Brennan. He was Baptized in January, 1928 at St. Gall Church, Chicago. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation in June, 1938 at St. Adrian Church, Chicago.

After attending St. Adrian School until Grade 4, he completed his elementary education at Bishop Quarter Military School, Oak Park, Illinois, graduating in 1941. In the Fall of that year, Donald entered the minor seminary program at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. When St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, opened in 1942, he joined other students from the Midwest there for two years. He returned for his Senior Year to Augustinian Academy, where he earned his high school diploma in 1945.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 8, 1945. He professed Simple (temporary) Vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1945 and Solemn (permanent) Vows September 10, 1949. He was ordained a Priest December 21, 1953.

Following his profession of vows, Donald studied at Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, where he earned a B. A. in Philosophy in 1950. He followed the program of theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D. C., from 1950 to 1954. He earned an M. Ed. in Guidance from DePaul University, Chicago, in 1964 and an M. A. in Theology from St. Xavier College, Chicago, in 1968.

He served as a teacher in several Augustinian secondary schools: Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan (1954-1959), Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago (1959-1961 and 1972-1975), St. Rita High School, Chicago (1961-1968) and Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri (1968-1972).

In 1975 and 1976 Father Brennan served briefly in the Peruvian missions. Upon his return, he was assigned to St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan, while participating in the Pastoral Institute at Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana.

He was named Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Pekin, Illinois in 1977, where he also served as Prior of the community. In 1983, he was named Prior at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.

Father Brennan was appointed Pastor of St. Rita Parish, Racine, Wisconsin in 1984. He served briefly at St. Matthew Parish, Fint, Michigan, during 1995. In 1996, he was named Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Pilot Point, Texas, and a member of the St. Mary Center House community, Gainesville, Texas. Following his retirement as Pastor in 2002, he continued as part of that Augustinian community, while providing pastoral ministry as needed. He was named Prior of the Augustinian community at St. Mary in 2002. He served in this office until 2008.

In 2008 Father Brennan was assigned to Cascia Hall Monastery, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He volunteered his assistance in Cascia Hall School as his health and strength permitted until the time of his final illness.

Father Brennan is remembered as a kind, helpful, easy-going and peaceful man. His profound spirituality and prayerfulness were the foundation of his faith-filled life. He was an intelligent and gifted teacher who was able to inspire and motivate his students by gently challenging them to excel. He read extensively, particularly on theological matters.

He is buried in the Augustinian Plot at Calvary Cemetery, Tulsa.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615-5664, or via Augustinian Guild Secure On-line Giving.

       » Read funeral homily preached June 29, 2010 by Rev. Theodore E. Tack, O.S.A. (.rtf file)