It was far from a soft day when the casket of Fr Joe Brereton SJ was lowered into the carved out grave by a new generation of Clongownians in the community graveyard, just off the main avenue in the edge of the Mainham town land. Alongside the recently departed Fr Paddy Lavery SJ, the more affectionately known “Bertie Brereton” was laid to his final place of rest in front of many Clongownians, past and present. His arrival in the company of many of other former stalwarts of the community - long since gone – now complete. It was just somewhat unfair that this most gentle of men did not get more deserving weather, or bright Spring sunshine, in order to record the sad moment when he left the Clongowes Community for good.
But then again, Bertie was never one for the limelight.
Having spent the past four months at Jesuit Community Care Home in Cherryfield, Fr Joe Brereton had made one of the biggest moves since he first arrived in Clongowes in 1968 – after some time in Manresa House in Clontarf and Gonzaga College in Ranelagh. The only other major move he faced during his time in Clongowes, was recalled by the main celebrant of the funeral mass, Fr Michael Sheil, and that was when the new Rhetoric Building was completed and as Higher Line prefect he relocated to new quarters. Other than that he had been full time since his arrival, coming after an education in Crescent College Comprehensive in Limerick as a pupil – and a place he was to return to as a teacher once he was ordained a Jesuit in 1954.
In recalling his dominant shadow over the Clongowes Community, “Mocky” Sheil fondly remembered that the Bertie era started even before the current Jesuit Provincial, Tom Leyden SJ, had arrived as a would be Clongownian – in Elements many years ago. In addition, Mocky estimated that his influence had been cast over 3,000 pupils during his tenure at the forefront of teaching – albeit English or Irish . And a testament to that influence was the cross section of ages in the Boys Chapel for his funeral service, all reflecting a man that in a very quiet way, yet determined way, had managed to impact many, many generations during his teaching years.
For those who wondered in the early days why soccer played such a role in the teaching of English, it was his Liverpool roots, where he lived until the premature death of his Father. After which the family moved back to Limerick. In looking back over old copy books in clear outs and house moves, it is now clearer to me why so many essays, projects and drawings of the 1974 world cup were acceptable English copy to Fr Joe Brereton. He love football – unbeknownst to many of us.
In a moving, honest and potent homily Fr Sheil eulogised Fr Brereton recalling at one point the manufactured rivalry between Higher Line prefects in the old Rhetoric Building.
Since forever it seemed Bertie called his fellow dwellers on the top floor of the old 1966 building "Officers", all seemingly a reflection of a higher quality of Rhetorician in the scheme of things - in his mind. This was indeed carried further in the cup teams and other sports, as Bertie was not slow in reminding his fellow Higher Line prefect of same on very possible occasion. So no cup winning team passed without a competitive count from Joe Brereton as to his Officer Numbers in the wining side -driving Fr Sheil to invent his Gentlemen term for those residing on his lower floor as a tactical response
And in such a way the rivalry between Officers and Gentleman began legend recalls. But it was perhaps the term "Villain" that evoked the most recognition from the packed church during Mocky’s fond recollections on Thursday morning. It was the fiercest term that Bertie ever mustered when talking about the most mean of people.
In an era when the hard edge of The Raz - aka Fr. Gerry O’Beirne – was not slow about calling things as they were and often in the most non Jesuitical language - Fr Joe Brereton never mustered beyond the term villainous. Which most accurately reflected the soft and caring nature of the man characterising everything he stood for during his four plus decades in Clongowes Wood College. Whatever about being and Officer or a Gentleman, one thing you never wanted to be was a Villain. There was possibly nothing more troublesome.
In fact one abiding personal memory every time the name of Ballycastle in Northern Ireland is mentioned – even to this day - is the story of the Corrymeela Community Centre which Bertie so strongly championed over thirty years ago during English lessons.
Founded as a place for reconciliation between divided communities Bertie inculcated a sense of the possible, even as far back as 1972 Rudiments. It was also the first time I ever heard the phrase - or proverb - “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Something that has stayed embedded for over thirty years and sums up best the personal impact of Fr Joe Brereton SJ.
In the closing prayers at the graveside on Thursday Fr Mick Sheil and Fr Leonard Moloney ended con-celebrating the life of a great man. Done in the company of Fr John Looby, Fr Phil Fogarty, and Fr Colin Warrack. They did so with a befitting sense of ceremony perhaps so typical of the Jesuit Community over the generations. Sadly though the Clongowes Jesuit community graveyard is filled with too many of such stalwarts - now long since at peace – yet evoking memories no doubt for each and everyone of us: Fr Cyril Power, Fr James “Pop” Casey, Fr Charlie O’Connor, Fr Ray Lawler, Fr Percy Winder, Fr Gerry O’Beirne, Fr Freddie Frewen, Brother Fitzsimons, Brother Glanville and the one and only James Treacy - to mention just a few.
On May 10th 2012 Fr Joe Brereton SJ sadly joined them ….
May he rest in peace.
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