Diamond Jubilee History
By M. M. Howard Miller, Originally published in the 75th Anniversary booklet in 1990
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Music has always been important in St. Brendan's Church
and School. Sister Albertine, IHM, was the first
music teacher
at the school and she played for many of the Masses
and special occasions.
On Christmas of 1934, Mr. Mitchell founded the St. Brendan's Boy's Choir. Their Mass was broadcast every Sunday. They were cast in many movies, and known from coast-to-coast. Mr. Mitchell produced and directed concerts for St. Brendan at the Ebell Club, raising funds for the church in the "hard times" of the 30's. He is also greatly loved at other churches like Good Shepherd, which recently gave him a parish-wide celebration for his long years of service.
During Bob Mitchell's time in the Navy, Monsignor Robert E. Brennen took over as choir master. He started the St. Brendan Choir School. The Choir School building was finished in 1944. Monsignor was the Archdiocesan Director of Music and Art.
Nancy Pascal, she of the celestial voice, has been a volunteer soloist and music leader in our church for 15 years. A highly trained musician, she teaches music in the school and is constantly sought for special events in the church. Nancy and S.A. "Bud" Pascal have four sons, Paul, Christopher, Damian and Matthew. Nancy Pascal, also serves as head of the Liturgy Committee with Monsignor Murphy, Father Hill, Sister Barbara and a dozen members.
Steve Gavin, who has been a lector since the beginning, grew up onehalf block from the church on Van Ness, near Third Street. It was said that there were seventy-five children on those two blocks, though some said it seemed more like three hundred. Steve's father and mother had nine children, Kathleen, Steve, Cecilia, Mary, Monica, Rooney, Jerome, Aileen and Kevin, most of whom went to St. Brendan's. The younger boys were in the choir. Steve married Alicia, and moved a block up Van Ness to raise their family.
Across the street from the first Gavin family, Gil and Nina Roswell lived for thirty years, with their children, Rick, Maggie and Ann.
There are approximately fifty Eucharist Ministers, with three serving Communion at each Mass, and others assigned each day to take Communion to the ill. There are about thirty lectors and twenty ushers.
The Philippine Prayer Group meets once a month on Tuesday night. They conduct a holy hour on Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., and a community prayer before the 8:00 o'clock Mass. Their Chairman is Frank Orasio.
In addition to the priests, the staff of St. Brendan has Sister Gail, a Franciscan, who is a trained Family Councilor. Sister Martin de Porres, a Holy Cross Sister is in charge of C.C.D., and ministering to the elderly. Sister Barbara, also a Franciscan, is in charge of Liturgy and Bible Study Groups. Sister Barbara conducts weekly meetings of the Holy Spirit scripture group, founded by Father Edward Wojniak, S.V.D. in 1983.
St. Brendan's has a strong and active Men's Club, started by Monsignor Roche. Bill Flaherty, will be the incoming president. The club stages the annual dinner at Antonio's five star restaurant, which is completely underwritten by its extraordinarily generous owner, who is also our parishioner—Antonio Gutierrez.
Iim Rozelle is president of the Parish council and a Eucharistic Minister and lector.
Dr. Tim Gogan, organizes activities for the senior citizens. Meals are cooked by our tireless Mary Frances Fennady. The Parents Club of the school is very active in its support of the school children. Marlene Campaign is the incoming president. There is a pre-school C.C.D., directed by qualified teachers for ages two to five during the 9:30 A.M. Mass.
The Sacred Heart Sisters help the church and parishioners and are always a happy group of nuns to have among us. They have long prepared the candidates for Confirmation.
NOTE: As this site is developed in January 2003, this essay was printed 13 years ago. As you can imagine. many things have changed!
