For this holy Easter Sunday feature, the Sunday Guardian sought out the affable , who has been serving T&T since he arrived here back in 1965, almost 47 years ago. Born in Cork, south of Ireland on New Year's day in 1936, he entered the Dominican Novitiate in September 1954 and was ordained a priest on July 16, 1961. A year's study in Rome was followed by three years at the National University of Ireland, Galway. In November 1965, he was assigned to Holy Cross College, Arima to teach "O" and "A" level English and so began his calling here in T&T. In addition to his priestly duties, Fr Brennan has developed the reputation as the 'singing priest' who has performed at many a Music Festival and is often called upon to deliver his Mario Lanza-style stirring renditions of songs such as 'Danny Boy' and 'Holy City'. One of his more recent 'performances' was at the Queen's Hall in aid of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society. His first parish in 1971 was San Raphael, followed by Pointe-a-Pierre, South Oropouche, Mon Repos, Bourg Mulatresse, La Romaine, then back to Holy Cross Priory. He currently assists at St Finbar's Diego Martin and Church of Nativity Crystal Stream, Petit Valley.
Q: In this post Carnival Lenten season what message would you like to give our population?
A: May the seed of the Springtime Lent sown in retreats, missions, prayer expressing the hopes, aspirations desires of our people grow and bear fruit for our own good and the good of all our people.
Who were the people who have influenced you the most?
People in the parishes where I have served, especially the less well off taught me what it means to be a priest. Their trust in God for their daily bread, the sacrifices they made for others, their generosity, goodness, humour, lit a light in my life.
Most people will not know what life as a priest is like, what would you say to them?
A priest's life can be lonely but it has its share of compensation and rewards. There is a joy in celebrating the Eucharist, in preaching the good news of the Gospel, in ministering the sacrament of reconciliation and in spending time with the sick.
Tell us about your inspiration to join the priesthood; at what age did you have your calling?
At the age of ten or 12 I felt attracted to the priests' way of life. When God wants you to do something special he always sends someone in your path. My mother was in hospital and one of her carers was a nursing nun and visiting my mother this lady put her clutches on me and directed me to a Dominican priest friend of hers. That was it, I could not get away.
Tell our readers a couple of funny 'Trini' experiences.
I was called to appear at Chaguanas court some time ago, my drivers permit had run its course. Taking the advice of someone I knew, I absented myself. The case was called, the name Anthony Pantin was called (since at the time the insurances were on his name). A warrant was issued for my arrest. More advice... "Go to the court on Friday, speak to Magistrate Loney and explain. Go out and tell the story." Court packed. Court rise. A policeman beckoned me, I bow and presented myself. You could go, he said and I slid out. Only in Trinidad I tell you! Of course, there is a lot more to this story but hopefully your readers will get the gist (laughing). Then there was this time I had to give a statement related to a robbery when the Sunday mission collection was snatched from me outside the bank. I gave chase (I was much younger then), but he got away. I ended up in a police vehicle on the way to the station. I remember hearing some concerned bystanders lamenting aloud, "Oh lawd dey arres' fadder!" (laughing out)
You have this reputation as being 'the singing priest'. Tell us some more about this.
The credit for whatever I have achieved in music must be given to Trinidad. It provided me with the opportunity to develop a talent and for that I will be forever grateful. Daphne Clifford was a great influence and with her encouragement I took part in Music Festivals, operas, light operas and recitals. Treading the boards with the talents of the likes of Robert Jaisingh, Pat Flores, Ken Oxley, Maurice Brash, Boysie Bovell, Joslynne Sealey, Juliet Eckel, Bernadette Laughlin-Scott, Fritz Nothnagel and Richard Ffrench were worthwhile experiences and will always be cherished memories.
What advice would you give to a young man who is wondering about a vocation such as yours?
In spite of the many contrary attractions God still speaks to young people and the...is such. Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus is still asking: What are you looking for Rabbi, where do you live? Come and see. They spend the rest of the day with him. In serving God and his people the young man would have the time of his life.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born on the banks of the River Lee one could not wish for a more beautiful, natural environment to be born and raised in. Clean river, fish, boats making their way up and down the river.
What is your favourite meal or dish/food?
Curry and Chinese food always acceptable and delectable.
What would you say is your greatest virtue?
Dependability. Doing what I am supposed to be doing, when and where I am meant to be doing it.
What daily motto do you live by?
If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain.
