On Holy Thursday morning, April 17, during the most sacred days of the Christian calendar, Heaven welcomed a true angel. Sister Joan Brennan, beloved Catholic nun, educator, and tireless servant of God, passed peacefully in her sleep. A member of the Congregation de Notre Dame since 1957, Sister Joan lived a life that radiated love, humility, and unwavering faith.
Her passing during Holy Week feels like divine poetry. As the Church remembered Christ’s final days—His service, His sacrifice, His promise—Sister Joan was called home. And like Christ, she spent her life in complete devotion to others. She gave of herself freely, joyfully, and fully.
In Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she served as Pastoral Associate and led the Religious Education program at St. Mary Parish, Sister Joan’s presence was nothing short of grace incarnate. Her words, her prayers, her steady hand—all offered with gentleness and conviction—guided generations of families in their faith journeys. Though she left Ridgefield in 2014, her spirit never did. She left behind something eternal: love in action.
Her motto, worn like a quiet badge of courage, was "F.R.O.G."—Fully Rely On God. To Sister Joan, this wasn’t just a catchphrase. It was her way of being. Her north star. A message she wove into every lesson, every homily, every moment of comfort or celebration. She reminded us that in this complicated world, trust in God was not a last resort—it was the way forward.
Upon announcing her passing, the Congregation de Notre Dame wrote, “Sister Joan woke to be greeted by St. Marguerite, whose birthday we celebrate today... We rejoice with her as she received the gift she has been asking for, even as we mourn her loss.” Indeed, Heaven must have opened wide that morning.
In these sacred days, as candles flicker and hymns rise, we remember Sister Joan not only in grief but in gratitude. She showed us how to live with devotion, how to teach with patience, how to lead with humility—and how to Fully Rely on God.
Thank you, Sister Joan, for your compassionate heart, your unshakable faith, and your lifelong commitment to serving others. Your legacy is not written in stone but in spirit—etched into the lives of all who knew you and all who will carry your message forward.
We will let you know of the services when they are announced.