Frater Michael Brennan, a new teacher at NDA this year, is on his way to becoming a Nobertine priest.

Born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana, Frater Brennan was brought up in a Catholic family with supporting and loving parents.

“Mom and Dad have been my absolute foundation. They have always loved and supported my brothers and me unconditionally,” Frater Brennan said.

 He is the eldest of four boys with two, seven, and 12 years separating him from each of his brothers.

Two of his brothers are married and the youngest is entering the religious life, he said.

“My youngest brother’s vocation inspired me and vice versa,” Frater Brennan explained. His other two brothers are married.  One brother has three children and Frater is the godfather of one of them, Carlie Teresa.

He graduated from St. Norbert College in 1999 with a degree in philosophy and psychology, and a minor in religious studies.  He also holds a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Notre Dame.

“Philosophy was challenging for me because I have a math mind, but I began college thinking I wanted to become a priest and knew that I would need the philosophy classes,” Frater Brennan said.

On January 6, 2010, several years after graduating college, Frater Brennan said he was out to dinner with his girlfriend at the time and he was on the fence between wanting to become a priest or getting married and starting a family.

“My girlfriend told me at dinner that the church needed to have more priests like me and that was it.  That was when it really clicked,” Frater said. “From there I looked at the Holy Cross Fathers of the University of Notre Dame, the Augustinians and the Norbertines.”

After discovering the sense of home Frater got when he looked into the Norbertines, he decided that was where he was called to be.

Frater plans on adding some personal pizzazz to NDA as he begins teaching three classes and an additional study hall. His classes include Algebra B, Problem Solving, and Introduction to Catholicism.

“Having taught in the past, I have really missed teaching,” Frater Brennan admitted.

Many students are already noticing his presence here at school.

Freshman Max Roitstein said he enjoys him in the classroom. “He enforces the rules, but is still caring about the students’ needs. He also keeps a tradition of prayer before class every day and I appreciate that.”

He not only is getting involved in the classroom, but also he is active outside of it, too. Frater Brennan will help out with the Sting Cancer club, and perhaps coach. He also attends Friday football games and even dressed out for last week’s western-themed game.

“I thought it was cool how he was doing pushups every time our team scored a touchdown. He participates with the students. During the western game he was wearing a cowboy hat,” sophomore Michael Daavettila said.

He also gave a speech before the all-school liturgy expressing the importance of reverence during Mass in a stimulating, thought-provoking manner that grabbed the student body’s attention and made them listen.

He reminded students to, “Please turn off your cell phones, and listen quietly and respectfully to the Word of God. Sometimes these words will comfort us, sometimes they will challenge us, and sometime they will confuse us...”

Mr. Dan Kriegl, campus minister, admired his speech and his love for God.

“He articulated the importance of being reverent during Mass and how it is a way to finding God’s peace,” Kriegl explained. “He has strong character, rich spiritual life and a love for the church.”

Frater Mike Brennan wants to make an impact on NDA and its students, he said.

“I want to have a positive influence on young people. I want them to know that living your faith can be real and be fun,” he said. “I hope that it will plant some seeds for students thinking about joining religious life.”

Frater Brennan said he will be happy to talk to any students with questions or wishing to talk to him about their own vocation.