July 16th 2025.
After nine years of serving as parish priest, Father Pat Brennan has recently bid farewell to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry. In a rather unconventional manner, he has left behind a farewell letter that has caused quite a stir among parishioners and the media alike.
Father Brennan, who runs a blog called Humble Piety and has been sharing poems, prayers, and other pieces since 2008, has not held back in expressing his thoughts and feelings about his time at the church. In his poem, titled 'Not I Lord Surely!', he has hinted at the possibility of 'unfriendly' and 'gossiping' parishioners being the reason for the dwindling number of church-goers over the years.
In a recent church newsletter, Father Brennan announced his departure from the Holy Family parish, but assured that he will continue serving as parish priest at two other churches. This news was also shared on his blog, where he has been quite active in sharing his thoughts and experiences as a priest since being ordained in 1992.
In his newsletter, Father Brennan has expressed his gratitude for the fond memories he will take with him from his time at Holy Family. He has also acknowledged that despite his best efforts, he may not have been able to please everyone, and a few vocal critics may have contributed to his decision to leave.
He further added that he was proud of the improvements made to the church during his tenure, and how it has been welcoming to visitors, even during the challenging times of the pandemic. He also mentioned the support and encouragement he has received from the parishioners, which has been crucial for him in fulfilling his vocation as a priest.
Father Brennan's poem, which he shared in the newsletter, has become quite popular and has even made headlines in recent days. However, this has also resulted in criticism of how he was treated during his nine years at the church. In response, Father Brennan has shared another poem, titled 'Slow News Day?', in which he humorously addresses the confusion of hearing his own name and poetry on the local radio.
The Archbishop of Birmingham has also addressed the situation, stating that Father Brennan has been a valued member of the clergy and has been handling a significant workload by serving three parishes. As part of a new parish clustering, Father Brennan will continue as parish priest at Bulkington and Bedworth, while a new priest has been appointed to Holy Family.
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