Memorials

Sister Anne Brennan, CSJ

 

We have come to celebrate the life of Sister Anne Brennan. Anne responded to God’s call to become a Sister of Saint Joseph over sixty years ago. That call invited Anne to give full expression to her giftedness as a woman in the Church to bring about God’s reign and reveal God’s love by healing, redeeming and liberating all people. This is the mission of our congregation.

Central to our mission is a deep respect for all life and appreciation for the dignity of the human person. Throughout our life’s journey we deepen that sense of care and compassion as we deepen our awareness of God’s love ever faithful and always active. Anne knew that early in her life through the love of her parents Anna and Michael and her caring siblings. She developed her many gifts through her studies in religious education, adult spirituality and psychology.

Anne earned a BA in English at St. Joseph College, an MA in Religious Education at La Salle University in Philadelphia, and an STD in Adult Spirituality at San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, California.

.A constant learner, she shared her understandings of development and spirituality through her writings, workshops and the foundation of Mid-life Directions with her dear friend and colleague Janice Brewi, CSJ. Anne’s ministry nurtured the faith and understanding of countless others. Her work with Janice had a profound influence on the lives of those they served and one colleague commented that their efforts “brought out the best part of me.” With Janice she was the author of Mid-Life Psychological/Spiritual Perspectives,  Celebrate Mid-Life Jungian Archetypes and Mid-Life Spirituality,Mid-Life Directions: Praying, Playing Sources of New Dynamism, and other publications. They co-presented many workshops on these topics.
Assumption University recognized her contribution by conferring on Anne an honorary doctoral degree .

Anne’s ministry flowed from the core of her being, aware of the workings of the Spirit in her life, whose fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. She knew that the Spirit has given her life; she followed the Spirit and generously shared her gifts with others. Now called to let go of life here Anne, like the rose of her poem, her
“place on the tree forever scarred
by the joy of you
given back to God who sees you
And loves you forever.”

Sister Anne Brennan, CSJ died on February 20, 2015 in the 61st year of her religious life.

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