Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • July 21, 2023 13 O ur M other of M ercy P arish , P ass C hristian Priestly ordination anniversary Sunday, June 25, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church parishioners of Pass Christian attended the tenth Priestly Ordination Anniversary celebration of Father Hyginus Boboh, SSJ, at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Pascagoula. Father Boboh served as an interim pastor at Our Mother of Mercy. Pictured: (l-r ) Lawanda Thornton, Gail Barnes, Fr. Boboh, SSJ, Dorothy Salvant, and Alva Singleton. Catholic Daughters of America Court #2762 presented Father Alwin Samy with an orchid and monetary gift in appreciation for his dedication to St. Paul’s and for his birthday. In attendance was Ramona Tucker, Adaire Cantrelle, Melba Tate, Karen Kinler, Darlene Rio, Father Alwin Samy, Raven Stein, Sondra Broussard and Marion McDonough. S t . P aul the A postle M ission , T ylertown Appreciation shown for Father Alwin’s dedication Deacon Martin Finnegan From page 8 “It was Deacon Martin’s vision and pastoral leader- ship that inspired so many of us, as he embodied the qualities of Christ the Servant. He loved others and always saw the best version of others, no matter the situation, always through positive eyes, and this exam- ple was so strong for us, his friends and the Deacon community. He steadfastly loved his priests, bishops, parishioners, deacons, and encouraged those same qualities from those of us in formation and Diaconal Service.” Deacon Harper said that love also blanketed Deacon Finnegan’s family and the deacon community. “The love for his family was always part of conver- sations with Martin,” said Deacon Harper. “Brenda, Kenneth, Natalie, and Darren, were always in his heart. From the Deacons, he expected an identity as one who serves, and reminded us that, at ordination, we were configured to Christ the Servant, which is to love. This was his mantra and is his legacy. “Deacon Martin was a faithful mentor and encour- ager. During my 12 years as Deacon Director, I often sought his advice and counsel. His quiet wisdom and love was inspiring, but it was his dependence and trust in prayer that was humbling and energizing. Martin Finnegan’s best friend was Jesus Christ. After each conversation with Martin, I knew something special had occurred, because Martin willingly revealed his heart.” Deacon Warren Goff, who was ordained in 1993, also looked at Deacon Finnegan as a mentor. “When I felt like God was calling me to be a dea- con, I was scared to death,” said Deacon Goff. “Martin knew that because I talked to him about it. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I loved him for always standing by me. He showed me what a deacon looked like. Martin was so affirming, and I don’t know if I would be a deacon today if it wasn’t for his affirma- tion.” Deacon Dick Henderson, also a member of the Class of 1993, said Deacon Finnegan was “a humble servant of God and God’s people.” “There was no diaconate formation program after his, the 1979 class, was ordained. He started from scratch and developed the 1993 program. Single- handedly he formed the diaconate program for the Biloxi Diocese and single-handedly ran it,” said Deacon Henderson. “He was constantly concerned about the candidates in that 1993 class, checking on them and assisting them in whatever way necessary to help them get through the program. “He was a gentle and kind man; soft-spoken and a natural leader. We, the class of 1993, happily and grate- fully followed, loved, and respected him. In his actions and demeanor, he taught us how we were supposed to be servants of God and servants of mankind. He was the servant to which we all aspired.” Along with his wife Brenda, Deacon Finnegan is survived by his three children, Kenneth (Kari Branch), Natalie (Kelly Cusimano) and Darren (Renee); six grandchildren, Talia (Matt) Haebler, Kelly (Stacey) Finnegan, Andrew (Mike) Finnegan; Isabelle and Lucy Terranova and Georgia Cusimano, and two great- grandsons, Woods Finnegan Haebler, and Jack Wade Finnegan. He is also survived by one brother, Charles Finnegan, and three sisters: Sister Chabanel (Annie Ruth) Finnegan, Elizabeth Ann Low, and Mary Frances (David) Ford and sisters-in-law, Brook Finnegan; Susan (John) Kitchin; Joanne (Robert) Byrd; Tori (Eddie) Hickson and brothers-in-law: Michael (Patricia) Brown; Gerald (Susan) Brown; and Patrick Brown. Other survivors include his former daughter-in-law, Alice Fish Barattini (Lawrence), and their son, Lucien, honorary grandson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as the community of deacons of the Diocese of Biloxi.