Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 33:

Brennan, Joseph A. (Jun.), Very Rev., Australian
Lovable Jesuit Teacher
b. Melb. 1868 (circa); ed. S.P.C. East Melb., Xavier Coll.; Kew, Seven Hills, S.A.; Louvain, Volkenburg, and Dublin where he was ordained on 31.7.1898. Served as teacher at Riverview, Xavier, and in the 1910-20 period was Superior at Richmond. Was Acting-Rector at the opening of Corpus Christi College, Werribee, in '23. Also Acting Provincial for a time. Took charge of the New Guinea Jesuit Mission, left vacant by the departure of the German Jesuits In N.G. he contracted malaria. Returned to teaching at Xavier and old College Annuals refer to the "popular and lovable teacher". d.16.5.1945; age 78. Burial: Jesuit Vault, Kew Cemetery.
(Footprints, Vol. 1, No. 8)
Ref.: MDHC File, Torquay as per items from Frs. H. Johnston & G. O'Kelly SJ's.

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Brennan, Joseph A

Teacher and pastor; born Hawthorn, Victoria, 6 September 1867; died Melbourne, 15 May 1945, aged 77.

Joseph Brennan was educated at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, and entered the Society, 23 January 1884, beginning his noviceship first at Sevenhill, then at Richmond and Xavier College under Aloysius Sturzo. From 1886-88, and 1890-91, he was a teacher and prefect of discipline at Xavier College, and from 1888-90, had similar duties at St Ignatius' College, Riverview. Here he taught mathematics, Greek, Latin and English.

After five years teaching, he was sent overseas for ecclesiastical studies, first to Exaten, Holland, for first year philosophy, completing the next two years at Louvain, Belgium. Theology studies followed at Milltown Park, 1894-98, and tertianship was at Tronchiennes, Belgium, 1898-99.

In September 1899 Brennan arrived back in Australia and spent two years at St Aloysius' College, Bourke St, Sydney, teaching senior physics. From 1901-8 he taught at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, and was a division prefect. He was experienced as a very strict disciplinarian. This was followed by parish work at Richmond, 1908-14, and for a short time teaching and prefecting at Xavier College, 1914-16. He was also rowing master in 1915.

From 1916-22 he was appointed superior and parish priest of St Ignatius' parish, Richmond, as well as a consultor of the mission, and from 1921-22, was particularly involved with the second church in the parish, St James, North Richmond.

In 1923 Brennan returned to Xavier College to teach. He was also an examiner in quinquennials, spiritual father and admonitor at various times, and remained there until 1936. Apart from parish work at Hawthorn in 1937, and at Richmond, 1942-44, Brennan spent the rest of his life at Xavier College. He took special interest in the games, especially Australian Rules, and was an authority on it.

He was a very tall powerful man, who in his early days had been a very stern disciplinarian. He was noted as being a very good theologian and very definite in his answers to moral problems. As a preacher and exhortator he was very solid but very dull. He was regularly left in charge of the vice-province when the provincial was away. He was also reputed to be highly regarded by the secular clergy.

At the request of Father General, he was asked to solve a complex situation concerning a plantation in Gayaba, New Guinea, 1921-22. He was also chosen to superintend the foundation of Corpus Christi College, Werribee, awaiting the arrival of the rector, Albert Power. Finally, he was instrumental in making arrangements with the archbishop of Perth, Dr Prendiville, for the establishment of St Louis School in 1938.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)