Holy Family's Brennan finds new base in Naperville

Disappointed parishioners of Holy Family Parish in Inverness have long known their beloved pastor was being forced to find a new home.

Now, they're learning where that new home is.

The Rev. Pat Brennan is set to become chaplain of The Clare at Water Tower, a Catholic retirement facility across the street from Chicago Archdiocese headquarters downtown.

He'll reside 35 miles west at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville, one of the largest parishes in the Joliet Diocese. There, he'll assist with sacraments and weekend Masses.

Pastors start their new assignments July 1.

Brennan, 61, fought to stay at the Inverness parish he helped build to more than 3,700 families over his 14-year tenure. But the archdiocese limits a priest's time at one location to two six-year terms and denied pleas from Brennan and his supporters.

Brennan, who cited his age, health problems and ongoing parish programs as reasons for an exemption, eventually put in requests to work and live at The Clare and St. Thomas, respectively, said Colleen Dolan, director of communications for the Chicago Archdiocese.

Dolan said Brennan is a longtime friend of St. Thomas' pastor, the Rev. Joel Fortier.

St. Thomas is very similar to its Northwest suburban counterpart. Both are located in affluent communities, were established in 1984 and have grown to about 3,800 families. Holy Family Academy opened in 2002, while St. Thomas started sponsoring All Saints Catholic Academy in 2005.

The Clare at Water Tower is owned by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Service Corp., a nonprofit organization that operates senior living facilities. It features 255 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in a 53-story high rise.

The environment will be much different for Brennan, who spent much of his time ministering to young people. In September, Holy Family opened its $6.7 million Brennan Center for Children, Youth and Families. Brennan said at the time that he'd like to continue traveling, public speaking and working with the National Center for Evangelization and Parish Renewal, which he founded. He also said he'd likely ask to become a pastor again.

That's always a possibility.

"He's still a priest in the archdiocese," Dolan said, adding she doesn't know how long Brennan will work as chaplain at The Clare.

Holy Family will celebrate a farewell Mass for Brennan on June 20.