![\"Father](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_259120572-91e5.jpg\")
\n\t\tFather Pat Brennan has left Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry after nine years<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tFather Pat Brennan has left Holy Family Catholic Church in Coventry after nine years<\/p>\n
Well, that\u2019s one way to make an exit.<\/p>\n
A parish priest has written one hell of a farewell letter after stepping down from the Holy Family Catholic Church<\/a> in Coventry<\/a> after nine years.<\/p>\n And he\u2019s hit out at \u2018unfriendly\u2019 parishioners giving him \u2018disdainful\u2019 looks and \u2018tutting for a living\u2019.<\/p>\n Father Pat Brennan runs a blog called Humble Piety and has uploaded several poems, prayers and other pieces since 2008.<\/p>\n But his poem called \u2018Not I Lord Surely!\u2019 has suggested the number of people attending his church, which has gradually dwindled over the years, could be due to \u2018gossiping\u2019 parishioners.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n He announced in the church newsletter that he will be leaving his post after nine years \u2013 but will continue as parish priest at two other churches.<\/p>\n \t\t Father Brennan was ordained as a priest in Birmingham<\/a> in 1992.<\/p>\n In the church newsletter he said he was leaving the parish with many fond memories, adding: \u2018You can\u2019t please all the people and those few who have been vocal in criticism in and outside of the parish, have contributed to my leaving. <\/p>\n \u2018Despite those few, I will keep the fondest memories in my heart and am grateful to have been parish priest here at Holy Family.\u2019<\/p>\n He also added: \u2018I was very happy at Holy Family and had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people.<\/p>\n \u2018I am proud of how the church looks now, visitors have spoken of a restoration of dignity.<\/p>\n \u2018The Covid times opened the parish up to many others taking comfort watching the liturgy and being uplifted at that time, staying with us online since then.<\/p>\n \u2018This is not an easy vocation, so the promise of prayers, the love and support given, does encourage greatly these who answer the call to follow Christ in the priesthood.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tFather Pat Brennan’s sassy poem in full\t\t\t<\/p>\n What makes people not come to church?<\/p>\n Could it be the people who already go?<\/p>\n The righteous, the clique, the worthy,<\/p>\n the disdainful look given, the thought you\u2019re in my seat<\/p>\n the unfriendly, so that the stranger remains so.<\/p>\n Gossip flows from holy lips,<\/p>\n a hobby to talk about so and so, you know?<\/p>\n A mix of disgruntled, unlikeable,<\/p>\n entitled offended, who don\u2019t want to know<\/p>\n Better than you, holier too,<\/p>\n tutting for a living, whispering about you know who\u2026<\/p>\n Did you ever go inside and wish you hadn\u2019t arrived<\/p>\n The words of love conveniently ignored<\/p>\n A plethora of benches occupied by the weekly bored<\/p>\n What makes people not come to church?<\/p>\n The cold indifference and quiet distain of those who already go.<\/p>\n If your first instinct when you hear the words \u201cGo in peace\u201d is time for war<\/p>\n Then think again, ask am I the reason people flee, am I to blame, is it me?<\/p>\n Not I surely?<\/p>\n So not quite the whole story.<\/p>\n Just don\u2019t make it so<\/p>\n Continue to go, but in Christ\u2019s likeness grow.<\/p>\n Rejected\u2026 this is how for some it can feel.<\/p>\n Yet each person who steps inside should be\u2026<\/p>\n Welcomed, accepted, loved, forgiven, this is the mark of the Lord\u2019s own seal.<\/p>\n What makes people stay and not run away?<\/p>\n Hearing Christ\u2019s command to love and allowing those words in our heart to stay.<\/p>\n Father Brennan has now been replaced as parish priest by Father Charles Miller, who will join his post at the end of July.<\/p>\n His exit, including his poem, have hit the headlines in recent days and drawn criticism of how he was treated during his nine years as parish priest.<\/p>\n And Father Brennan has responded to this attention with another poem, titled \u2018Slow News Day?\u2019 in which he describes the \u2018confusing\u2019 experience of hearing his own name and poetry on the local radio.<\/p>\n In a statement, the Archbishop of Birmingham told the BBC<\/a>: \u2018Father Pat is an experienced and much-valued member of the clergy.<\/p>\n \u2018He has been running three parishes for several years, which is a large workload. <\/p>\n \u2018As part of new parish clustering, Father Pat will continue as parish priest at Bulkington and Bedworth and a new parish priest has been appointed to Holy Family.\u2019<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Priest](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_259176083-8137.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe shared his poem in the church newsletter as well as on his blog (Picture: X)<\/p>\n
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