The announcement that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has named Monsignor Mark Brennan as an auxiliary bishop in our neighboring archdiocese is a tribute to his faithful and fruitful priestly ministry. We in the Church of Washington have greatly appreciated Monsignor Brennan and his pastoral ministry over the years. We particularly recognize his achievements as pastor of Saint Martin of Tours Parish in Gaithersburg, as well as service over the past 40 years in parishes from Potomac to Bowie to the District of Columbia. Together with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Washington, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Monsignor Brennan. We will miss him, but know that the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be gaining a fine pastoral leader. He brings with him our prayers for his success.