Until we meet again... Rest in Peace, Fr. Tony

The Claretian Community of Macau and Hong Kong deeply mourn the sudden demise of our good friend and Maryknoll Father Anthony Vincent Brennan. He was 80.   He was 80-years-old and had been a priest for 53 years.

Maryknoll Father Anthony V. Brennan, assistant parish priest at Christ the Worker parish, Ngau Tau Kok, died on May 19 while visiting some religious sisters in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on his way home for a vacation.

Father Brennan was born on 25 March 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. Following his graduation from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx in 1952, he entered Maryknoll that September. He was ordained a priest on 10 June 1961.

 

Chinese New Year with Father Brennan 

Father Brennan was then assigned to the Hong Kong. He studied the Cantonese language and, in 1968 he became rector of the then-new parish, St. John the Baptist in Kwun Tong. He served as parish priest of the now defunct St. Peter’s parish, Kowloon Tsai, St. Matthew the Apostle parish, Tuen Mun, St. Patrick's parish, Wang Tau Hom, and assistant parish priest at Christ the Worker parish, Ngau Tau Kok.

For most of his missionary career, Father Brennan was posted in Hong Kong. He also made the rounds at the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong, ministering to patients.

Easter Vigil baptisms in Ngau Tau Kong 

Ever since Fr. Jojo, CMF came to Hong Kong for his language studies in 2007, Claretians were associated with Fr. Brennan and the Maryknoll Fathers in Hong Kong. We fondly remember him as am elder brother who was always welcomed people with broad smile and big hug. He would surprise the first-timers who would come upto great him with his mind-reading techniques!

“May eternal rest grant unto him, Oh Lord; and may your perpetual light shine upon him”, Amen