Bill Brennan S.J.

Tonight five of us, went out for the famous Friday night Fish Fry. There was Pat, our friend Janice, woman priest, Jerry Zawada, a Franciscan priest, Father Bill Brennan, a 92 year old Jesuit priest friend and myself. We thought we try a new spot for fish fries, a restaurant at the Lakeside Brewery. Jerry needs a cane to walk and Bill needs a walker. After we got to the top of a long line on a ramp we found out there was an hour and half wait. That was too much and rather than try our fate on a new place we went to a place where we knew we could get an excellent fish fry without a wait, the Italian Community Center.
I describe the above as background to a comment the 75 year old Jerry made to me about the 92 year Father Bill: “Look how sharp he is” It is true, his mind is clear and his thinking right on. Recently Father Bill got in trouble with the official Catholic Church for saying mass at a public event with Janice, a woman priest. He took the accolades and admonishments while keep his peaceful perspective on life. In his conscience he knew his decision was the right one so could handle the insults and praise that came his way. He embraces his new found fame and shame while keep his same temperament, sensitivity, compassionate and peacefulness as he does everything.

As we can older there are less and less persons that we can look to as “elders”. Bill at 92 is old enough to be my biological father, being 23 years older than me. Jerry is only five years older but has lived life full so that he has the wisdom to be my elder.

Being old does not make one an elder. An elder must be wise, insightful, see deeply into life and be a person of peace. Precious are the elders.

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