Fr Brendan Harnett

Early Life

Brendan William Harnett was born on December 19, 1948 in North Adelaide, the son of William and Galdys Harnett (nee Read). He received his early education at St Maria Goretti’s School, Ascot Park, St Anthony’s Edwardstown and finally Christian Brothers College, Wakefield Street, Adelaide. His ecclesiastical studies were undertaken at St Francis Xavier Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop James Gleeson in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on September 1, 1973.

Appointments

His first appointment in January 1974 was as assistant priest in the Glenelg parish, where he remained for five years. During this time he was appointed assistant Chaplain to the Catholic Deaf Association. Over time he became quite fluent in the various styles of sign language. In January 1977 he was appointed Assistant in the Goodwood parish, and maintained his work with the deaf.

Fr Brendan was a very talented person with many skills, especially in the area of finance. He served for many years on the Diocesan Presbytery Fund Board, from July 1979 through till 1994. He also served a term on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.

In January 1984 he was appointed assistant priest in the Cathedral Parish. Later that year he took some long service leave. Two year later he was appointed Parish Priest of Glenelg – his first appointment following ordination. Throughout this time he continued as a chaplain to the deaf, and in January 1991 he was appointed to this work full-time and living in the Croydon parish. In June 1994 he was asked to be supply priest at Brighton while the parish priest was on leave, and then he went to Mt Barker as administrator for two months.

Work in USA

During 1993-94 he undertook some studies at Emmanuel College, Boston. On his return to Adelaide he was appointed Parish Priest at St Mary's in April 1995 for a term of six years – but this was not completed. In January 1997 he took long service leave and went to the United States. Later that year he was granted leave to work in the USA in the Diocese of Portland, Maine where he served in the parishes of Brewer, Biddeford, Auburn and Norway.

Having settled in to life in Boston, in April 2007 Fr Brendan requested incardination into the Diocese of Portland, Maine, but this was not finalised until May 24, 2012.

In 2011 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and as his health failed he left Auburn/Norway and went to reside with Fr Thomas Murphy in St Mary’s Parish, Wells. In October 2012, knowing his days were numbered, Fr Brendan returned to Adelaide to say goodbye to his family and friends. On his return to Boston his health deteriorated further. In December he had a brain tumour removed, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. He certainly fought a courageous and faith-filled battle against his cancer, and amazingly he retained his dry sense of humour throughout these ordeals.

Fr Brendan died peacefully in Wells on March 7, 2013. A Vigil Service was held in St Mary’s Church, Wells on  March 11 and the Funeral Mass was celebrated the following day in the same church. The burial was in St Mary Cemetery, Biddeford.

Following his death there were many tributes on the w.w.web including the following: "He fought valiantly and was unfailingly kind despite the grueling treatment regime he endured."

His sense of humour and ability to help us get a sense of history as well as spiritual nourishment was truly a gift. He helped us to question things while still keeping the faith.

A good man and a good priest and a true servant to God's people.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on Thursday April 4, 2013.

May he rest in peace.