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Code:Originally Posted by **lilypadrees** [forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=13711011#post13711011)
- UPDATE ON FATHER BREEN*
I am in shock and tears as I write that my former priest, Father Philip Breen passed away on Feb 29, 2016, after a four-year battle with leukemia. He’d been to the dr on Feb 15 and was given the good news that his cancer was in remission. None of us thought the Lord would be calling him home 2 weeks later.
I remember the many small kindnesses he showed my mother and I. They meant so much, He signed the certificate when my mother finally became Catholic after being a Protestant most of her life.
One day, shortly after my mother’s conversion, we went up to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. I reached the front before my mother and was going to let Fr Philip know that she wished to receive too and was still making her way to the front with her walker.
Bless his heart. Our dear Father Breen saw her and leapt over to where she was. I had tears of joy in my eyes as I saw him give her Holy Communion. I had a hard time keeping from laughing because he went to her first even tho I had been standing right in front of him. Then he came back to me.![]()
I remember his sense of humor. Oh, what an imp he was! One Ash Wednesday, I had received my ashes. Everyone else had gone. And I was getting ready to leave. He saw me and stopped to talk. With a twinkle in his eyes, he flipped up my bangs and said, “Just wanted to make sure you got your ashes.”![]()
Before my kidney stone surgery, I had the Anointing of the Sick. I was prepared to give my confession. He saw how shaky I was and how bad I was feeling and chose the reading most appropriate. Afterwards, he asked if i would like to receive. I nodded and whispered “Yes.” My mother blurted out, “But I thought she had to confess first.” (I was sooo embarrassed thinking, “Oh dear! She’s overruling a PRIEST!”) Father Breen and I looked at each other and then at her and said at the same time, “This covers it.”
The many times he would see me in the Chapel and quietly lock the door separating the Chapel from the church. We always smiled at each other in mutual and quiet understanding. He would let me stay even after the door started being locked after Mass. He knew I needed that extra time with the Lord.
It meant so much.
But then, that’s the kind of person he was. The little gestures. It’s the small things that mean so much. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
That was Father Philip Breen. Always doing small things with great love.
Now he is with Our Lord in Heaven. I am positive he heard the words we all long to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
Rest in peace, Father Breen. You will be and are missed.
Please “pray, pray, pray” for us as we “keep on keeping on”.
See you in Heaven.
*I found this on YouTube. It was made last year as Father Breen was getting ready to retire.Code:Originally Posted by **lilypadrees** [forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=13711025#post13711025)
Please enjoy as you get to know the wonderful priest and man we knew.
Praying for the repose of the soul of Father Philip Breen…
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*Réquiem æternam dona ei, Dómine,
et lux perpétua lúceat ei.
Anima eius, et ánimæ ómnium fidélium defunctórum,
per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.
Amen*
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Kerze_2007k.JPG/83px-Kerze_2007k.JPG
and for consolation for you and all who are grieving his loss…
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*O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, who brought forth the Son of God still remaining a Virgin, assist us in this necessity. O Star of the Sea, help us, and show us that you are our Mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, we humbly ask you from the depths of our heart to help us in this necessity. There are none who can withstand your power. O show us that you are our Mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Sweet Mother, we place this cause in your hands. Amen*
