Rev. Robert J. Brennan, C.S.C., 89, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. on February 1, 2024 after a short illness.
Fr. Brennan was born to Francis and Anne (Spielberger) in Bronx, NY on March 1, 1934. After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1951, he began his career in the U.S. Rubber Company until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. While he was in the Army, he was trained in IBM data processing with the Adjutant General’s Section. In 1956, after military service, Fr. Brennan worked for the IBM Corporation in both Chicago and New York until he entered Holy Cross Seminary in North Easton, Mass., in 1961. The next years, until his ordination in 1968, were in scholastic study at Stonehill College (philosophy) and Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C. (theology). Fr. Brennan also took courses at Catholic University in pastoral counseling for work he was doing with the National Training School, a Federal reformatory for boys.
In 1969, Fr. Brennan was assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Easton, Mass., and remained there as Associate Pastor until 1973. In 1973, he was assigned as Associate Pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Saco, ME, before leaving in 1979 to further his studies in sociology of religion and worship at Fordham University. From 1980 to 1988, he was assigned as pastor at St. James the Apostle Parish in Spring, TX. In 1988, he was a resident assistant at Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, MA, before returning to pastoral ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Bennington, VT, until 1993. From 1993-1995, Fr. Brennan became National Director of Family Rosary before he was assigned to St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City to assist for a year. From 1996 to 2002, he was Superior of Holy Cross Community at Cocoa Beach, FL, before being assigned pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Orleans, LA, where he stayed until 2006. In 2006, he moved back to Cocoa Beach, FL, as Assistant Pastor at Our Savior Parish, where he remained until he moved to Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Ind. for health reasons in 2010.
Fr. Brennan was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jean B. Holt. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET at the Chapel of Mary located on Stonehill College campus in North Easton, Mass. on Friday, February 9, 2024, with a Funeral Mass following at 10:00 a.m. ET. You may also join us via livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/yVzQMjFTV7k?si=r0Y-6koM_mwZN9Cc
Burial will be in the community cemetery in North Easton, Massachusetts. Kane Funeral Home, Easton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, 500 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356-1299 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org.
