Monsignor Gerry Finegan celebrates golden jubilee

Members of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church and Incarnation Parish gathered to honor him on May 7.

  • By Katie Johns
  • | 9:32 p.m. May 7, 2017
  • Longboat Key
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It was only fitting that St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church honor of Monsignor Gerry Finegan celebrates golden jubilee Gerry Finegan on May 7.

It was Good Shepherd Sunday, and to the parishioners of the church, Finegan is their good shepherd.

The mass was held in honor of Finegan’s Golden Jubilee, which will be on June 18. He was ordained on June 18, 1967 in Cavan, Ireland. He has been the pastor at St. Mary’s since 2008. Before that, he taught at Clearwater Catholic High School, was chaplain at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School and was pastor at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota.

After the mass, Finegan, the parishioners and visiting priests, including Bishop Frank Dewane, gathered in the parish hall for a buffet dinner and dessert. The crowded room was overwhelming, Finegan said.

He was able to sum up his feelings about his golden jubilee celebration in just three words.

“Humbling, but thankful,” he said.



This article has been updated to include "Monsignor" before Gerry Finegan's name. 

 

The Rev. Gerry Finegan with his five sisters Áine Connelly, Catherine O’Leary, Mary Tunney, Brigid Duffy and Josephine Finegan
The Rev. Gerry Finegan with his five sisters Áine Connelly, Catherine O’Leary, Mary Tunney, Brigid Duffy and Josephine Finegan
Bob and Susan Tobin
Bob and Susan Tobin
The Rev. Gerry Finegan was ordained on June 18, 1967 in Cavan, Ireland.
The Rev. Gerry Finegan was ordained on June 18, 1967 in Cavan, Ireland.
On May 7, members of Incarnation and St. Mary parishes gathered for a Thanksgiving mass and celebration in honor of the Rev. Finegan.
On May 7, members of Incarnation and St. Mary parishes gathered for a Thanksgiving mass and celebration in honor of the Rev. Finegan.
The Rev. Gerry Finegan was ordained on June 18, 1967 in Cavan, Ireland.
The Rev. Gerry Finegan was ordained on June 18, 1967 in Cavan, Ireland.
Phyllis Lewis and Margie Tonner
Phyllis Lewis and Margie Tonner
Jane and Sam Norton
Jane and Sam Norton
Brigid Duffy and Susan Clark
Brigid Duffy and Susan Clark
Following mass, parishioners enjoyed a buffet dinner and various desserts.
Following mass, parishioners enjoyed a buffet dinner and various desserts.
Ginny Rattigan, Susan Matteoli and Kim McCabe
Ginny Rattigan, Susan Matteoli and Kim McCabe
The Rev. Gerry Finegan Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice
The Rev. Gerry Finegan Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice
Diane Thibodeau and Barbara Brown
Diane Thibodeau and Barbara Brown
Theresa and James Burke
Theresa and James Burke
Beth Moulton, Gina Snode and Michelle Yoder
Beth Moulton, Gina Snode and Michelle Yoder
Various pictures lined the fellowship hall foyer for guests to look at as they arrived at the reception.
Various pictures lined the fellowship hall foyer for guests to look at as they arrived at the reception.

 

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