Inverness church building named for pastor
The Rev. Patrick Brennan -- popular shepherd to 3,800 families at Holy Family Catholic Church in Inverness -- was greeted by a full house Sunday, celebrating their pastor's 35th anniversary of ordination and witnessing the official naming of the Patrick Brennan Center for Families, Children and Youth.
Brennan, 61, who also founded the parish's academy from preschool to sixth grade, was the celebrant of the liturgy at which he offered thanksgiving for his gift of priesthood. The event's theme was "The Reign of God is Here: Change your Lives," following the 15th verse of the first chapter of the evangelist Mark.
"I have done much more in my priesthood than I ever thought I would do," Brennan said thoughtfully and privately. "The Office for Evangelization and the National Center for Evangelization led me to opportunities around the country and throughout the world."
He has hosted the weekly radio show "Horizons" for 27 years, and authored 13 books, including "Spirituality for an Anxious Age," "Guidelines for Contemporary Catholics: Penance and Reconciliation," "The Purple Rainbow: A Book about Hurt, a Book about Hope" and "Re-imagining the Parish."
As a young man, Brennan said he "never dreamed" of his future involvement in writing and the use of media. A firm believer in the concept of small church communities, the pastor also wrote "The Sharing Faith Series for Small Christian Communities."
A doctor of clinical psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology, a doctor of ministry and the recipient of a licentiate in sacred theology -- he also has a master of psychotherapy and a master of divinity -- Brennan holds firmly to the importance of merging theology and psychology.
"I find that I theologize well from peoples' psychological experiences, so the merging of theology and psychology in my priesthood has been exceedingly important to me," Brennan said. "It took me many years to earn a doctorate in psychology, but with my merging of faith and psychological insights, I believe I have been able to help a lot of people who suffer emotionally."
Brennan, who gives dedicated service to the people of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, and has been Holy Family's pastor since 1995, was ordained at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary on May 9, 1973.
He also served in St. John the Evangelist Church in Streamwood, but his first assignment as associate pastor was at Hoffman Estates' St. Hubert Roman Catholic Church, whose old-timers recall the priest's creative and theatrical gifts, shared at many Mardi Gras fundraiser gatherings, dinners and plays.
Following the 11 a.m. liturgy April 6, parishioners and Brennan's brother Bill, sister-in-law Kathy and nieces Heather and Katie viewed the presentation "Pat Brennan -- by the Numbers." The presentation pointed out pictorially that the priest has two master's degrees, three doctoral degrees, served in six parishes, written 13 books, owns more than 1,000 books, baptized 1,331 persons, officiated at 580 weddings and presided at 498 funerals at Holy Family alone, and has visited 12 foreign countries.
One of the assembly's favorite shots was of a 1985 Thunderbird, his late father's last car and one the priest still owns.
His recently published book, "The Mission-Driven Parish," offers practical advice to those "who understand that to be Church is to be in mission to people and to the community at large."
Once voted the outstanding homilist in the archdiocese, those who attended the celebration received a keepsake booklet with Brennan's top 10 homilies.
In reflecting about his name attached to the new building, he said, "It is touching" and that he is humbled and honored.
"Holy Family is a great experience, because I work with a group of talented and dedicated folks who see themselves as servant leaders," Brennan said. "Their dedication to the reign of God and to their parish is an inspiration to me. It is a blessing."