Bishop Robert Brennan, Guest of Honor
BISHOP ROBERT J. BRENNAN was born on June 7, 1962, to Robert and Patricia Brennan (nee Hynes) in the Bronx, New York. The oldest of five children, Bishop Brennan has two brothers and two sisters, fourteen nieces and nephews, two great nephews and one great niece.
He was raised in Lindenhurst, New York, where his father still resides. Bishop Brennan attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Lindenhurst, and St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, West Islip, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from St. John’s University, Queens, New York.
Bishop Brennan's closest Sligo connection is his grandfather, Patrick Hynes, who was born and raised in Dromore West and was the first in his family to arrive in New York in the 1920's.
Bishop Brennan's cousins continue to live in Sligo and Mayo (Westport). His maternal great grandparents are from Belfast.
Bishop Brennan's father's family, the Brennans, come from generations of coalminers from near Potsville, Pennsylvania, since before 1850.
Bishop Brennan studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, New York. Bishop John McGann ordained him a priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY, on May 27, 1989. His first priestly assignment was to the Church of St. Patrick in Smithtown, NY.
In 1994, he was appointed Secretary to the Bishop, working in this capacity for three bishops: Bishops John McGann, James McHugh, and William Murphy. He resided at St. Agnes Cathedral and served at the parish during those years. In 2002, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. In 2010, he was appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Mary of the Isle, Long Beach, NY.
On July 25, 2012, he was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Leaving his position as pastor in Long Beach at that time, he resided in the parish of Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook. On January 31, 2019, Bishop Brennan was appointed 12th Bishop of Columbus, and he was installed as Bishop of Columbus on March 29, 2019.
During his time in Columbus, Bishop Brennan was actively involved in the work of the Catholic community in central and south-central Ohio, including serving on the boards of the Catholic Foundation, Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, and Cristo Rey Columbus Catholic High School. He also has been a board member and the Vice Chancellor of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.
On November 30, 2021, Bishop Brennan was installed as the Eighth Bishop of Brooklyn, serving the people of Brooklyn and Queens. Bishop Brennan’s greatest strength lies in his commitment to parish pastoral activity.
In 2023, Bishop Brennan instituted a Lenten Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Brooklyn, inviting the faithful to join him in visiting 40 churches during the season of Lent, which greatly increased in participation in 2024 with the introduction of a Lenten Pilgrimage App.
On April 20, 2024, Bishop Brennan led a Eucharistic Revival event, which included mass, prayer and song at Louis Armstrong Stadium attended by more than nearly 7,000 faithful of Brooklyn and Queens. The theme of the event, “Whoever Eats This Bread Will Live Forever,” (John 6:51), brought special attention to the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
During the 2024 Memorial Day weekend, Bishop Brennan welcomed the National Eucharistic Revival to Brooklyn, leading a procession from the Brooklyn Bridge through the streets of Brooklyn. In July, Bishop Brennan led a delegation of people from Brooklyn and Queens to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Bishop Brennan communicates with the faithful on social media through his weekly video gospel reflections. He also launched a podcast, “Big City Catholics.” The weekly conversations engage the faithful to explore their faith and stay informed of his ministry throughout the diocese.
At the national level, Bishop Brennan has served with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Committee for Catholic Education, the Administrative Committee, and the Priorities and Plans Committee. He currently serves as the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, as a Consultant to the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and is a member of the Board of Trustees for The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
He was raised in Lindenhurst, New York, where his father still resides. Bishop Brennan attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Lindenhurst, and St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, West Islip, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from St. John’s University, Queens, New York.
Bishop Brennan's closest Sligo connection is his grandfather, Patrick Hynes, who was born and raised in Dromore West and was the first in his family to arrive in New York in the 1920's.
Bishop Brennan's cousins continue to live in Sligo and Mayo (Westport). His maternal great grandparents are from Belfast.
Bishop Brennan's father's family, the Brennans, come from generations of coalminers from near Potsville, Pennsylvania, since before 1850.
Bishop Brennan studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, New York. Bishop John McGann ordained him a priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY, on May 27, 1989. His first priestly assignment was to the Church of St. Patrick in Smithtown, NY.
In 1994, he was appointed Secretary to the Bishop, working in this capacity for three bishops: Bishops John McGann, James McHugh, and William Murphy. He resided at St. Agnes Cathedral and served at the parish during those years. In 2002, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. In 2010, he was appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Mary of the Isle, Long Beach, NY.
On July 25, 2012, he was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Leaving his position as pastor in Long Beach at that time, he resided in the parish of Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook. On January 31, 2019, Bishop Brennan was appointed 12th Bishop of Columbus, and he was installed as Bishop of Columbus on March 29, 2019.
During his time in Columbus, Bishop Brennan was actively involved in the work of the Catholic community in central and south-central Ohio, including serving on the boards of the Catholic Foundation, Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, and Cristo Rey Columbus Catholic High School. He also has been a board member and the Vice Chancellor of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.
On November 30, 2021, Bishop Brennan was installed as the Eighth Bishop of Brooklyn, serving the people of Brooklyn and Queens. Bishop Brennan’s greatest strength lies in his commitment to parish pastoral activity.
In 2023, Bishop Brennan instituted a Lenten Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Brooklyn, inviting the faithful to join him in visiting 40 churches during the season of Lent, which greatly increased in participation in 2024 with the introduction of a Lenten Pilgrimage App.
On April 20, 2024, Bishop Brennan led a Eucharistic Revival event, which included mass, prayer and song at Louis Armstrong Stadium attended by more than nearly 7,000 faithful of Brooklyn and Queens. The theme of the event, “Whoever Eats This Bread Will Live Forever,” (John 6:51), brought special attention to the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
During the 2024 Memorial Day weekend, Bishop Brennan welcomed the National Eucharistic Revival to Brooklyn, leading a procession from the Brooklyn Bridge through the streets of Brooklyn. In July, Bishop Brennan led a delegation of people from Brooklyn and Queens to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Bishop Brennan communicates with the faithful on social media through his weekly video gospel reflections. He also launched a podcast, “Big City Catholics.” The weekly conversations engage the faithful to explore their faith and stay informed of his ministry throughout the diocese.
At the national level, Bishop Brennan has served with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Committee for Catholic Education, the Administrative Committee, and the Priorities and Plans Committee. He currently serves as the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, as a Consultant to the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and is a member of the Board of Trustees for The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Mark Geraghty - Sligo Person of the Year
MARK GERAGHTY was born and raised in Woodside, Queens, attending St. Sebastian Catholic Academy and Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School.
Mark is one of 7 siblings born to John Geraghty (deceased) and Barbara Geraghty, who has roots in Athleague, County Roscommon. After graduating from high school, he did some cooking and later joined the Carpenter's Union 608, eventually became a residential building manager.
Mark's grandfather, James Herity, was born in Maugherow, County Sligo, on March 6, 1904. He was baptized at St Joseph's Church in Ballytivnan. He emigrated to the United States in 1927 on a ship named the Corinthia and became a naturalized citizen in 1932.
In 1928, James petitioned to change his surname to Geraghty. Mark believes that it may be because his aunt who sponsored him had her name also changed to Geraghty when she came to the United States. Mark says his grandfather attended many Sligo dances over the years while he was still involved with the association.
A member of the Emerald Guild for 14 years, Mark is among a network of Irish and Irish American building managers who are members of the guild. Mark has also been a formal member of the Jackson Club for five years and for decades has been a friend and associate to that club.
Mark is married to Ciara, who was born in the Falls Road section of Belfast. She came to America in 1986. They have two children, including a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Fianna.
Mark is one of 7 siblings born to John Geraghty (deceased) and Barbara Geraghty, who has roots in Athleague, County Roscommon. After graduating from high school, he did some cooking and later joined the Carpenter's Union 608, eventually became a residential building manager.
Mark's grandfather, James Herity, was born in Maugherow, County Sligo, on March 6, 1904. He was baptized at St Joseph's Church in Ballytivnan. He emigrated to the United States in 1927 on a ship named the Corinthia and became a naturalized citizen in 1932.
In 1928, James petitioned to change his surname to Geraghty. Mark believes that it may be because his aunt who sponsored him had her name also changed to Geraghty when she came to the United States. Mark says his grandfather attended many Sligo dances over the years while he was still involved with the association.
A member of the Emerald Guild for 14 years, Mark is among a network of Irish and Irish American building managers who are members of the guild. Mark has also been a formal member of the Jackson Club for five years and for decades has been a friend and associate to that club.
Mark is married to Ciara, who was born in the Falls Road section of Belfast. She came to America in 1986. They have two children, including a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Fianna.
James Normanly - Lifetime Membership Award
JAMES NORMANLY was born in Coolerecuill, Toulestrane, County Sligo. James was married to Teresa Dunne from Killasser, County Mayo, now in heaven.
James and Teresa had three daughters, Anne Marie, Kathleen and Mary. James is the proud grandfather of 9 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
James left home on March 22, 1956, at age 19. Shortly after his arrival in New York, he began his career with the telephone company, a profession he dedicated himself to for decades, continuing to work well into his 70s.
This year, James will celebrate his 90th birthday and and, as he says himself, "70 years living in this wonderful country." In those 70 years, he has been a strong supporter of Irish culture, especially music and dance, as well as being an active 50-year member of the Sligo Association. James asks Saint Attracta, the patron saint of County Sligo to continue to bless the County Sligo Association, its members and supporters.
He is thankful to the association for this honor and wishes everyone a Happy and safe St. Patrick's Day.
James and Teresa had three daughters, Anne Marie, Kathleen and Mary. James is the proud grandfather of 9 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
James left home on March 22, 1956, at age 19. Shortly after his arrival in New York, he began his career with the telephone company, a profession he dedicated himself to for decades, continuing to work well into his 70s.
This year, James will celebrate his 90th birthday and and, as he says himself, "70 years living in this wonderful country." In those 70 years, he has been a strong supporter of Irish culture, especially music and dance, as well as being an active 50-year member of the Sligo Association. James asks Saint Attracta, the patron saint of County Sligo to continue to bless the County Sligo Association, its members and supporters.
He is thankful to the association for this honor and wishes everyone a Happy and safe St. Patrick's Day.