A POPULAR New York based priest, who was brought up in Killarney, has been chosen as Kerryman of the Year for 2019 by the Kerry Association in the Big Apple.
Although born in the US, Fr Brendan A Fitzgerald grew up in Park Drive, Killarney where his family lived for several years before returning to New York. He went to school in Killarney and he was ordained in St John’s Cathedral in Limerick in 2006 before he moved back to America.
His mum, Esther (nee Ahern) is originally from Park Road and his dad, Denis, is a native of Knocknagoshel.
Fr Brendan is now the pastor of St Barnabas – the largest Irish parish in the US – as well as heading the North East Bronx Deanery.
His popularity in the city and his great work with the Irish community will be formally recognised by the Kerrymen’s Patriotic and Benevolent Association, of which he is chaplain, at the organisation’s 51st annual dinner dance in Kerry Hall on March 22.
The award citation reads that Fr Brendan is known for his humour, warmth and true embodiment of Christian love and charity.
The 2019 Distinguished Service Award will be presented at the same function to Michael O’Sullivan, the owner of MOS Construction, who is a great supporter of and contributor to the Kerrymen’s Association.
Just last May Fr Brendan had the honour of officially welcoming the President of Ireland to his parish during his State visit to the US.
President Higgins presided at a meeting for Latin American ambassadors at the Fifth Avenue home of the American Irish Historical Society but it was on his visit to the parish of St Barnabas, in the North East Bronx, that he encountered Fr Brendan..
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