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Father Brian Costello was remembered July 20, at a livestreamed Mass from Our Lady of Loretto Church where he was pastor. He was prayed for, too, July 21, at a livestreamed Mass from Our Lady of Mercy Church, Daly City , the Costello family parish.
Updated July 21, 2020 3:30 p.m.
(Photo by Dennis Callahan/Catholic San Francisco)
July 13, 2020
Catholic San FranciscoFather Brian Costello, a longtime pastor in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, died July 11, 2020. Ordained in 2000, he was 67 years old.
“He was deeply appreciative of the support and prayers of his brother priests following his cancer diagnosis and decline in health,” Father Andrew Spyrow, vicar for clergy, said in a statement.
Father Costello had recently been admitted to hospice and spent his last days at the home of his sister, Sally. At the time of his death he was pastor of Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Novato.
Christina Gray, associate editor of Catholic San Francisco, spoke with Father Costello in March about his Stage 4 diagnosis and what he wanted to be ahead for him. His plan was to return to his post at Our Lady of Loretto.
“I chose to come back to work because I want to model a happy death for my parishioners,” Father Costello told her March 11 at Our Lady of Loretto.
In a letter to parishioners and staff he said he was “totally at peace” with what seemed to be God’s plan for him asking “Isn’t that what our faith teaches us?”
“All I’ve ever wanted to be is a simple parish priest,” Father Costello told Gray.
He called the opportunity to show that death is not to be feared when you have faith a “great gift” from God.
“I believe with every fiber of my body in the resurrection,” Father Costello said. “To have this happen right before Lent, well, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.”
Brian was born to Eileen and James Costello in San Francisco on June 2, 1953. He was the middle son between two brothers, James Barry and Bruce, followed by their sister, Sally. Brian was enrolled at St. Elizabeth School through third grade, and completed his elementary education at Our Lady of Mercy School. Studies followed at St. Joseph’s Seminary High School in Mountain View and St. Patrick’s Seminary. After two years at St. Patrick’s, he left to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree in English at San Francisco State, and then taught for a year at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose before joining Mount Angel Seminary in 1976.
While in Oregon, Brian volunteering his time at Providence Hospital and at Immaculate Heart Parish, both in Portland. He then accepted a teaching position at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, and in the years that followed, taught at Alemany High School in Mission Hills while working in youth ministry at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Chino Hills.
In 1986, Brian was accepted for studies at the Franciscan School of Theology and in 1989, was ordained a Transitional Deacon for the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.) at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He then returned to Southern California to take up teaching assignments in Religion and English at St. Genevieve High School in Van Nuys (1994-1995) and Bellarmine-Jefferson High School in Burbank (1995-1997) before reapplying for admission to the Archdiocese of San Francisco as a candidate for the priesthood. At that time, Brian’s his oldest brother, James Barry, was principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and his sister-in-law, Dinah, was teaching at Holy Angels School. His mother had worked for the Salesian Provincial Office for many years. Then-Archbishop William J. Levada accepted Deacon Costello for three years of study at St. Patrick’s Seminary. Fr. Costello was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese on June 10, 2000.
Following his ordination, he served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Novato. He was named Administrator there three years later, following the retirement of Father Kevin Gaffey. In 2004, Fr. Brian was assigned as parochial vicar at Saint Charles Parish in San Carlos, and, again, was named administrator for several months, after the retirement of Father Kieran McCormick.
Father Costello then served as pastor at Mater Dolorosa Parish (2005-2010), Star of the Sea Parish in San Francisco (2010-2012), and Most Holy Redeemer Parish (2012-2014) before his appointment to Our Lady of Loretto Parish in 2014. He had just begun his second term as pastor there on July 1, 2020, before his death on July 11. Until the end, he voiced his appreciation to the many who were steadfast in their support, including Father Tony Vallecillo, and Patrick Reeder and Erin Troy in the parish office.
"Father Brian loved sports, music, books and travel but his greatest joy came from being a priest," the family shared through a communication from the archdiocesan clergy office. "He was happiest when conducting Mass, interacting with parishioners and especially, the children in the elementary school. He got such a kick out of some of the answers the kids would give when he would quiz them in religion class.
"Father Brian first and foremost, saw the good in people. He had a big heart, a wonderful smile and an infectious laugh. His motto always was 'to keep it simple.'"
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Shriners Hospitals or a charity of your choice.
Remembrances may be made to the Priests’ Retirement Fund, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109.
Your letters of condolence may be sent to Father Costello's sister, Sally, for the family as follows:
Sally Costello
54 Westpark Drive
Daly City, CA 94015