(POSTED: 3/28/12) About five months ago, an Archdiocesan official asked to see me. He told me that he thought it would be a good idea for me to try to become a pastor again, that indeed I am a good pastor. I mentioned a parish that was opening up for a pastorate that I was interested in, and he thought I would be good for that role. We closed our time together very amicably.Subsequently, I wrote in for three parishes, one in the Diocese of Joliet, where I currently work on weekends, and two in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
We are all trying to get accustomed to the new Roman Missal. During a homily in Naperville, I recently confessed to the people my frustration in using the Roman Missal. I mentioned that the style of writing in the missal was difficult to follow and understand. The people gave me a standing ovation, but someone in the congregation called the Bishop of Joliet about my remarks. The pastor of the Naperville parish was called by the bishop’s office to find out what happened. I did not hear much about this matter until recently.
Last week, I received a phone call from an official in the Joliet diocese telling me that I did not receive the pastorate of the parish in Naperville, where I was working. I was told it was because two Joliet priests applied for it, and they had a greater chance of getting it because they were Joliet priests. I accepted that. I waited for word about the parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago that I applied for. The other priests who were applying for pastorates were informed on Thursday or Friday of that week about their future. It was already Sunday, late morning, and I had not heard anything from the Archdiocesan Priest Placement Board. I called one of the members on the board. He said that I did not receive the pastorates of the two Chicago parishes, and that someone was going to call to explain that.
I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon from an Archdiocesan official. He informed me that I did not receive a pastorate at either of the two Chicago parishes. When I asked why, he said: “You did not get the Naperville parish because of a homily you gave critiquing the new Roman Missal, and that reason factored in the Chicago decisions also.” The next day I had a discussion with another Archdiocesan official, who told me that I probably would not be allowed to be a pastor in the Archdiocese of Chicago again. I must say that this whole experience has jarred me a great deal and made me very anxious and sad.
You are a very gifted priest. I am so sad that someone in our parish did this to you. I looked forward to your homilies. Please don't change because of what one person said. You got a standing ovation for why the rest of us loved you. Please come back to St.Thomas we need more priests like you.
ReplyDeleteI am so disappointed. St Thomas is no longer a place I want to go to mass to. You are a wonderful priest. If you are preaching anywhere please tell me. I will go there.
DeleteLess gentle than Father Pat, since the beginning of the liturgical years I have been critiquing the 2011 Missal that I label "illiterate" at two places on the internet:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.western-civilization.com/CBQ/Personal%20Notes/Personal%20Notes.htm
and, weekly, at www.jamesriverjournal.net.
the Western Civ site has ten years of material from the Catholic Biblical Quarterly integrated into the Sunday Lectionary Readings
The James River site is relatively new and, so far, has only been about the Missal and then only about the Collects, Prayers after Communion; and occasional final blessings.
My weekly comments at the Journal reach about 25,000 subscribers every day and they point out the arrogance of the Papacy and the complicity of the often Vatican North American College trained ordinaries.
Start taking personal responsibility for your circumstances. Stop playing the victim and meditate on your past actions. There are enough whiners in the world.
ReplyDeleteI think u would rather have a child molester in your parish than a whiner like Pat. It seems that molester priests are less of a problem for the church than outstanding priests like Pat who question authority and suggest change and question changes like discussed here that are just words on a page that have more to do with dogma than making real, needed and necessary changes in theRCC today. U sound like maybe your the guy who tattled to the diocese, shame on u for being a small minded trouble maker.
DeleteThe Vatican's plan to snuff out the Second Vatican Council is just about complete. (Just the nuns are left to get in line.)
ReplyDeleteDear Father Pat, I realize this is old news that I came upon looking for info on how to contact u. I am a parishioner at Holy Family Inverness who still misses u greatly. With all the scandals apparent in the RCC it occured to me that what the church really needs is a priest with your intelligence and brilliance at the top. I understand that u do not need to be a cardinal before becoming Pope. So perhaps you should aim a little higher and apply for that position. I understand there is an opening today. God bless u Father Pat. I miss your homilies full of insight and wisdom making the ancient gospel message applicable to the world today. You are the most Christ like priest I know because u have sacrificed so much for the change so needed in the church today. Remember the last Easter Lily u gave your mom that bloomed long after a harsh Winter? If not in this world, u will be rewarded in heaven with a parish of souls in the thousands who's lives u touched on earth and brought closer to God in the Kingdom of Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI just came across this site - and I say "Ditto" to Marya J. Taylor - and I cannot express how grateful I am that I met Fr. Pat about 30 years ago. His spiritual inspiration and teachings and way of always bringing you back to the focal point - Christ, has made a wonderful impact on my life! I miss him so much and not a day goes by that I don't remember something I learned from him in a homily or his sharings! You are right Marya, I'm sure there is a "parish of souls in the thousands who's lives u touched on earth and brought closer to God in the Kingdom of Heaven!!!" Thank you Fr. Pat for all you did and still DO for all of us, your dedicated students in Christ!!!
DeletePat, I am so sorry. You are a treasure at St. Julie's and I am so grateful that you are there. You give me hope and I feel very little hope for the institutional church right now. I hate it that you are being punished for your honesty and saying what everyone else is thinking (or what all the thinking people are thinking).
ReplyDeletePat,
ReplyDeleteWhen you left St. John the Evangelist, we loved you teaching, and began searching our souls. We now are in a bible based church....but you were THE most gifted pastor we had ever known and think of how your leaving grew us in our journey..Thank you
Dear Father Pat,
ReplyDeleteI heard you died today. Really, I didn't know when I last wrote you in February, that you would meet Jesus so soon. Although tears stain many faces today in sorrow, we are only crying for our loss and not yours. For as sure as I write this final note to you, I am happy that your soul is with the Lord, Mary His mother and your own sweet mom. This will be your best Christmas ever. Remember us, continue to pray for our poor souls so that one day we will all be together in the kingdom of Heaven.
Just like with Jesus, the powers that be, need no longer fear Pat.
ReplyDeleteJesus knows that, which is why he called him home.
.Watch the Pharisees and Sanhedrin come out in force and take center stage at his funeral. Oh, what hypocrites.
You were a dedicated servant of God. You administered and spoke FOR His children. Thank you for the happy years at St. Hubert's. RIP. The Stockmar Family
ReplyDeleteDear Father Pat, I sobbed throughout mass this morning upon hearing the news of your passing. Yes, I cry for my and other's loss. You finally will have peace and the eternal judge will bless and keep your soul. Others here can be cruel and some misjudge you. The words of "one" parishioner, not the masses, were heard. That is so unfair. When it's their time, God will be their judge. Let us all learn a lesson that when you speak of someone's actions, consider the price they will pay for someone's opinion.
ReplyDeleteYou have been a great influence in my life when I was at Holy Family. You were a major part of my healing especially with the panic attacks when you talked about your own experience. I'm glad that I was able to write you a letter and express that to you. You have touched so many. I cried through most of your sermons as they put me in touch with "that candle place" inside of me. That's what you called the place where God lives inside and where we can go anytime, anyplace. Thank you, Fr. Pat for so much.
ReplyDeleteFather Pat -
ReplyDeleteI join with the many, many others who mourn your passing.
In my case, you were a strong, personal influence on me through a number of retreats and missions I attended at St. Michael's in Orland Park. We were also fortunate to have you baptize two of my daughters (one who sang an impromptu song at the end of one of your sermons when she was 2).
While we will miss your presence here on Earth, we take comfort knowing you are finally at peace in Heaven with our Lord and your Mom. Just as we will pray for you - please watch over and pray for us.
Thank you for giving us a better understanding of our faith and of God through your service and discipleship!
God Bless Father Pat. You will always be a part of us.
ReplyDeleteI cried all thru mass Sunday upon hearing the news of Fr. Brennan's passing. I knew and loved him at St. Michael's and again at St. Julie. He was truly a dedicated and spiratual priest with much concern for his parisoners. He was a genious homilist will be missed by multitudes.
ReplyDeleteWhen you decide to judge someone and go to authorities, please consider the consequences to the person you are putting on trial. Fr. Pat was so hurt when he had only good intentions. I'm sure his depression led to his giving up on life.
We have lost a wonderful man and brilliant genious. May our Lord bless and hold you for all eternity, Fr. Pat.
Rest in Peace father Pat, you were an inspiration to me and to so many. I will really miss your insights and messages. I just can’t help but believe that the Catholic Church and its petty politics played a part in your illness, being ostracized the way you for standing up and having the courage of your convictions. To think that a small matter like criticizing the new missal became such a huge issue because one petty parishioner wrote to the Bishop of Joliet. I am so sorry If you felt betrayed and isolated by the Church. God bless you and I am so glad that you will finally be at peace. I will miss you !
ReplyDeleteThis may be the final straw for me ... I am seriously considering turning away from the Catholic Church
ReplyDeleteFather Pat was a living saint here on earth and I have no doubt that he has his reward today in heaven. He affected my entire family is such a positive way. His homilies challenged us both spiritually and intellectually. We loved Mass at Holy Family all seven years we lived in the Chicago area. He is the gold standard for all priests we encounter since moving away. We are blessed to have known him.
ReplyDeleteWe had the opportunity to learn about God and life when Fr. Pat was starting his journey as a priest and we were in junior high at St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge, IL. His presence in our lives will never be forgotten. God bless you Fr. Pat.
ReplyDeleteYou who are so fed up with the RCC....me too. YET!!>>>Shun the 'personalities' , so to speak, the small minded voices, but never give up your EUCHARIST for some stupid, small minded person. Pat would never have it. You owe no loyalty to a church building, or a 'mass celebrator'..only to your God. Go to Mass, receive the eucharist, and if you must, shake the dirt from your sandals as you leave.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I ever spoke more than good morning father, when Father Pat, was at St. Michael's in Orland Park, but
ReplyDeleteI loved to listen to his sermons and always tried to attend mass that he was celebrating. Just saw him recently at St. Julie's I was very much surprised at how he failed but, that wonderful voice was the same. God Bless and go in peace.
Father Pat
ReplyDeleteWas first introduce to you by your program on WIND radio Sunday am @ 6:30am. It was so refreshing to hear your explanations of the readings and I immediately felt here was a priest, "who gets it". I was excited when you moved to Naperville so I could attend your masses. Your homilies were moving and thought provoking. I never before saw a priest who received STANDING OVATIONS for his homilies. You truly were a follower of Jesus and a wonderful priest but unfortunately the "pharisees of the catholic church" could not stand the truth you were speaking and needed to "fire him, fire him, crucify him".