September 23, 2024
Few Gospel passages better illustrate St. John’s University’s Vincentian commitment to service than the one read at the 5:30 p.m. student Mass on September 22.
So explained the Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan ’84C, ’24HON, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY, who returned to his alma mater to celebrate the Mass and commune with members of the St. John’s community.
The Gospel message for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time featured Jesus’ explanation of servant leadership—how those eager to lead the emerging Church must be humble enough to serve all.
As was St. Vincent de Paul, whose spirit of service animates the mission of St. John’s.
“Here, Jesus gives us an example of what being a true disciple is all about,” Bishop Brennan explained in a 10-minute homily on the passage from the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Mark. “Jesus says, ‘The greatest among you must be the last.’ The attitude of the disciple must be to be the servant of all. Be the last, and not the first.”
Bishop Brennan is a proud St. John’s alumnus who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Since being installed as the Diocese of Brooklyn’s eighth bishop in November 2021, he has returned regularly to say Mass and meet with members of the University’s Campus Ministry programs.
His most recent visit was timed to coincide with Founder’s Week, the University’s celebration of its Vincentian heritage, which continues through September 30. The feast day of St. Vincent de Paul is Friday, September 27.
“I am so glad to be a part of this community, even if it’s just for a quick visit,” Bishop Brennan said. “I am glad to remain in solidarity with this community, and to see more and more familiar faces. It is a pleasure to serve you.”
Bishop Brennan, originally from Lindenhurst, NY, served as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island from 2012 to 2019, when he was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, OH. In 2021, he returned to the metropolitan area to lead the 1.3 million Catholics living in Brooklyn and Queens.
St. John’s awarded Bishop Brennan an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree as part of its 2024 Undergraduate Commencement Exercises. He joined members of the St. John’s community for a pizza dinner after Mass.
“It’s always good to be back home at St. John’s,” Bishop Brennan said. “It’s very important to remember that when Jesus tells the disciples to be the servants of all, he never asks anybody to do something that he himself either has not done already or is willing to do.”
While a student at St. John’s, Bishop Brennan befriended fellow Long Islander Richard Henning ’86C, ’88G. Now the Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, he is the current Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, in Rhode Island, and was recently named archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, one of the most significant positions in the American Church.
Bishop Henning will be installed as Archbishop of Boston on October 31.
“Our friendship was formed at St. John’s,” Bishop Brennan recalled. “We became fast friends as we had so much in common. His father was a New York City firefighter; my father was a New York City police officer. The only difference? I was a math major, and he was a history major.”
Bishop Brennan called Bishop Henning “a prayerful man of tremendous faith and hope.”
“I am thrilled at his appointment,” Bishop Brennan said. “While he is a gifted academic, at the heart of it all he thrives most as a parish priest. That is his strength—and the people of Boston will see it.”