The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-14
FATHER FINNEN DEAD.
Vicar-General of the Scranton Do
cese Passes Away at the Paro-
chial Residence at Pittston.
Sketch of His Life.


eral Of the Scranton diocese, died at
lao o'clock this morning at the paro-
chial residence on William street, Pitts
ton.
For some weeks Father Finnen has
been very i'll and several times it was
thought that death was near, but care
full attendance, careful nursing and q
strong constitution stretched out the
span of life.
In November, accompanied By Rev.
Father Quinnan. he left for st. Agnes
hospital, Philadelphia, where he under
went treatment for stomach trouble. 1t
was there found that his disease was
beyond medical relief and the Rev.
Father was advised to return to his
parochial home in Pittston. Since that
date he has been attended by DIR. Bar
rett, of Pittston, and DIR. Leet, of Scran-
ton. Kidney trouble also set in and as
sisted in weakening him.
Father Finnen was born in Shurles,
County Tipperary, ireland, June gath,
1928. He was reared in his birth place.
where he received a common school
education. He afterwards emigrated
to this country and entered st. Jo-
seph's Jesuit college of Philadelphia
where he remained until he had fin
ished the classical course When about
to begin the study Of philosophy, he
decided to become a secular priest and
entered ST. Charles Borromeo Diocesan
college of Philadelphia. lie finished
the prescribed course in philosophy
and theology in five years and was or
dained Sept. 10, 1858, by Bishop Neu-
man for the diocese of Philadelphia,
which then embraced the uiocese of
Scranton and Harrisburg.
His first assignment was as assist
ant TO Father Shaughnessy, of Pitts
ton. When he had spent a year in this
mission he was called to Philadelphia
and was appointed assistant at St.
Patrick's parish church. He had
served only one year there when i'll
health compelled Father Prendergast,
who had succeeded Father O'Shaugh-
messy at Pittston, to relnquish his
pastoral duties and he died Nov. ,,
1861
Father Finnen was Immediately put
in charge of the Pittston mission,
which position he has since held.
Among Father Finnen's early college
companions was Archbishop Ryan, of
Philadelphia.
During Father Finnen's administra-
ton the work he did has been wonder
full and far reaching in it's nature. At
the close of 1863 he purchased a double
brick dwelling, adjoining the church
from Wesley Hurons of Wilmington,
Del, for a school and dwelling for
Sisters, who would have charge of the
instruction of the children. The build .
ing was enlarged and remodeleG and on
September, 1864, was opened as a select
school for girls and boys up to "A years.
The Sisters placed in charge were of
the Order of the Immaculate Heart
and were six in number. In 1867 he had
added Il large sacristy to the church
and had n snirc erected. On the o3d of
July 1867, he purchased lot on the
corner of William and Church streets
for the erection of a new pastoral resi-
dence and OF Aug. 13, 1867 n ricce of
ground, which squared the Catholic
church lot. In 1S69-ls70 a new pastoral
house was erected and an addition put
to ST. Johns in the shape OF a wing.
During these years Pleasant Valley,
lying three miles from Pittston. VIZ
gradually growing and the Catholics
became SO numerous that a church be-
came necessity. on the 2Gth Of July,
1874 the church was dedicated, which
is now in prosperous condition.
The school accommodation being now
inadequate to accommodate the at.
tendance, the worthy pastor Iaborec
zealously for larger and more sub.
stantial building, and as a result of hi,
untiring efforts, the large parochia
school, which adjOins the pastoral rest.
/ dence, was completed ana opened on
Monday, Sept. G. 1880
The Catholics of Upper Pittston now
desiring a church, Old St. Mary's, OF
/ Chapel street, not being in use fo
many years, the untiring father begar
the labor Of soliciting subscriptions ana
on the 9Th of May. 1883, the church wa!
/ blessed.
The erection Of the magnificent new
/ church Of st. John the Evangelist ant
. convent In Pittston are his crownins
/ work. The church Is Of stone and |,
/ one of the most imposing in the state
1t cost over 100000. The new conyen
has Just been erected at a cost Of $40
| 900, This is some Of Father Finnen',
| greatest and most enduring work.