Sister Saint Beatrice Brennan, a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill for 68 years, died at Chestnut Hill Hospital on February 28, 2008. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph Villa on March 4, 2008.
Born on October 6, 1922, Beatrice Brennan grew up in Orange, New Jersey and attended school at Our Lady of the Valley Grade and High Schools. She loved music and she loved the Sisters of Saint Joseph who taught her at Our Lady of the Valley. By eighth grade Beatrice knew that she wanted to spend her life as a Sister of Saint Joseph and so when she completed school she entered the congregation in 1940.
Sister Saint Beatrice devoted her life to the ministry of music in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and Newark, New Jersey. She not only taught private lessons to young musicians, but also worked in the Worship Office in Newark and was a supervisor for Future Musicians. Her musical talents included playing piano, violin, guitar and her beloved cello. Bea’s love for music brought her to classrooms, choirs and churches. It included orchestra, band, school musicals and her own participation in an Archdiocesan Chorale and a symphony orchestra.
Beatrice reflected how fulfilling it was to “watch and follow a youngster begin lessons and gradually develop through my teaching and guidance.” She appreciated how some made “music their vocation. . . while others. . . kept music close to their hearts.”
When Bea was not creating music, she created arts and crafts. She was especially fond of making things for holidays, special occasions and gift-giving. She had a deep love for her parents and her brother Ben and commented that they “provided many ‘favorite stories’ for her.” She admitted that beginnings and change are difficult, but advised, “Put your trust in the Lord. . . Love and live one day at a time. . . Prayer has gotten me through many difficult situations.”
In her reflection at Sister Saint Beatrice’s funeral liturgy, Sister Pat Kelly referred to a sign in an opera house which reads: “Bach gave us God’s word, Mozart gave us God’s laughter, Beethoven gave us God’s fire;” Pat concluded, “Sister Saint Beatrice gave us God’s love.”
We rejoice in Sister Saint Beatrice’s love of music and her thoughtful response to so many people. We remember her with a song in our hearts, and we know she continues to praise and honor God through her love and her music.
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