He voluntarily entered a storm filled with hurt, disappointment, and mistrust.
The Most. Rev. Mark Brennan was installed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston on Aug. 22, 2019, but it was No. 8 that placed the darkest cloud over the heads of all Catholics in West Virginia after living lavishly on their dime.
But Bishop Brennan, now in his third year with the Diocese, has proved a much different man. Instead of Merlu Koskela, a traditional French dish originating from the Basque region that is prepared with hake (merle), peas, mussels, asparagus, carrots, shallots, white wine, butter, garlic, eggs, thyme, bay leaves, and parsley, Brennan prefers a Grilled Cheese for his Friday evening dinners during Lent.
His favorite foods, however, serve only as surface examples of Bishop Brennan’s simplicity. Not only has he traveled to each parish within the Diocese, but he also has made those trips on multiple occasions and, most often, has driven himself to the depths of the Mountain State. The Bishop is well-read and loves baseball, lives in the Rectory in East Wheeling and not in a mansion, and he drinks water with no ice and not some fancy, expensive liqueur.
And when it comes to the Word of the Lord, Bishop Brennan is pure with his leadership of a statewide congregation that, not too long ago, felt betrayed by a dishonest glutton. With the Lenten season quickly approaching, the Bishop’s message is to scrape off the rust on our souls and to focus on examining ourselves in the light of God’s love.
The best part? He wants to stick around in West Virginia a while longer.
LEDE News: What does the beginning of the Lenten Season mean to you?
Bishop Brennan: Lent is a time of renewal for the individual Christian and for the Church as a whole. Look at my pastoral letter on Lent, available online on February 25 and in printed form on March 4, 2022.
LEDE News: What are your favorite Friday meals during Lent?
Bishop Brannan: I prefer soups, salads, and grilled cheese sandwiches for Lent – if I get to make the choice!
LEDE News: What have you given up for Lent in the past and what is your idea for this Lenten Season?
Bishop Brennan: In the past, I have given up sweets and soda. I still give up snacks for Lent but also engage in some fasting beyond the two days (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) prescribed by the Church. I try to take some more time for prayer in the morning. I offer up my work to the Lord as what I hope He considers an acceptable sacrifice.
LEDE News: Please describe your experience as the Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Bishop Brennan: Serving as the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston has been an adventure with many challenges but also many joys. I like West Virginians, whom I find to be intelligent, straightforward, friendly, and hospitable. The state is physically beautiful. My Catholic people have a resilient faith and engage in many good works to help their neighbors. We have many more mountains to climb in bringing the Gospel to the people of this state but, with God’s help, we will do it.
LEDE News: Now that you have celebrated your 75th birthday (Happy birthday!!), please explain the process involved with your retirement.
Bishop Brennan: Regarding the length of my service as the ninth Bishop of the Diocese, I have followed Church law (canon law # 401) by informing Pope Francis that, as of February 6, 2022, I achieved the blessed age of 75 years. I indicated that, with good health and sufficient stamina for my duties, I would be pleased to serve here for a few more years. I have not heard back from the Holy See. As the saying goes, “No news is good news.”
Thank God for Bishop Brennan
Thank you Bishop, you have given us hope for our church here in West Virginia. God knew what we needed and sent us you. By the way I also like grilled cheese. But for a change, you might like to visit our fish fry at Our Lady of Seven Dolors church in Triadelphia. You won’t be disappointed.
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