Reverend Gabriel Brenkus, CPPS

1902- 1962

'One of Ours' --St. John the Baptist's First Home Grown Priest

Born in Whiting on February 10th, 1902, Gabriel Brenkus attended St. John the Baptist School until his home was tragically broken in 1911 with the deaths of his parents. He then moved to a new home at St. Joseph's orphanage in Lafayette, Indiana where he conceived of the idea to become a priest. In 1916, he entered the Seminary of Precious Blood Fathers in Burkettsville, Ohio. The next year, 1917, he went to college at St. Joseph's in Collegeville, In.

Sickness burdened Gabriel on and off during his college years, keeping him out of school for several years of time. But with unconquerable determination, Gabriel battled his illnesses and graduated in 1926. In September of that year, he entered St. Charles Seminary where he remained until his ordination as a priest of the Precious Blood on May 8th, 1932.

After years of noteworthy missionary work, Fr. Brenkus succeeded Fr. Lefko as pastor of St. John the Baptist in 1953. Under Fr. Brenkus' leadership, the second phase of expansion at St. John School was completed, including the new school wing, the gymnasium and the Marian Memorial Auditorium.

Fr. Brenkus was struck again by illness in 1957, suffering seriously enough to put his life in question and forcing him to miss the installment of Bishop Grutka as the first Bishop of the Gary Diocese. Fr. Brenkus happily recovered, celebrating his Silver Jubilee as a priest in June of 1957. His illness however forced him to turn over pastoral stewardship of St. John the Baptist to Fr. Edward Homco, CPPS in July.

Feeling fit again in 1962, Fr. Brenkus was preparing for new pastoral duties at St. Patrick Church in Glynwood, Ohio. After saying an evening mass on April 17th, Fr. Brenkus collapsed at Phil Smidt's during dinner, dying minutes later. Fr. Gabriel Brenkus was only 60 years old.