Longtime monsignor retiring from Haddonfield church
By ROBERT TULINI
Special to the Haddonfield Sun
The Rev. Monsignor William Patrick Brennan, the pastor of Christ the King Parish in Haddonfield for three years and a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Camden for 49 years, celebrated his retirement at a Mass and dinner on June 24. Brennan, 75, a longtime pastor and high school principal, retired on June 30.
Four hundred people filled Christ the King Church and the hall below the church for the retirement Mass celebrated by Brennan. They included relatives, friends, priests, nuns, deacons, former students and parishioners.
Four hundred people filled Holy Eucharist Parish Hall in Cherry Hill, where Brennan was the pastor before going to Christ the King, for the retirement dinner.
“Whether as a teacher, principal or pastor, you deal with people and getting to know them is so important,” Brennan said. “Preparing a class, preparing for a school meeting, preparing a homily is important, because you are showing you care, you are showing respect.”
Brennan was born on July 8, 1936 in Staten Island, N.Y. He studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, N.J. He was ordained a priest in Camden on May 25, 1963, embarking on his calling to education and pastoral ministry.
“I remember when I first started teaching, a sister friend of mine gave me some advice, which I have used through the years. She said — you don’t teach English, history or religion, you teach people,” Brennan said. “If you expect good things from your students, you are more than likely to get good things back. Learning to know your students is more important sometimes than knowing your subject matter, but preparing conscientiously for class shows genuine love and respect for your students.”
He said he has used that philosophy in his interactions with adults as well as children.
Brennan taught history and religion at Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City from 1964 to 1969 and taught history and religion at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill from 1969 to 1973. He was the principal of Gloucester Catholic High School from 1973 to 1976 and the principal of Camden Catholic High School from 1976 to 1984.
Brennan was the pastor of Incarnation Parish in Mantua Township from 1985 to 1997 and the pastor of St. Pius X Parish, now called Holy Eucharist Parish, in Cherry Hill from 1997 to 2009. He has been the pastor of Christ the King Parish since 2009.
He said he is grateful for the people he has met and the time he has spent as a priest.
“Someone asked me if I would do it all again,” Brennan said. “In a heartbeat.”
Kelly Hullihan, a parishioner at Christ the King, said Brennan’s words and deeds have benefited her and her family.
“Our family listens and learns from Monsignor Brennan,” Hullihan said. “He is a terrific homilist and teacher. We are inspired by him.”
