Parishioner Profile: Mike and Joan Finnegan — Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Their Spirit of Stewardship

Leading an active faith life in the Catholic Church has always come naturally to Joan and Mike Finnegan. Both were raised in Catholic families and then went on to raise their own two children in the Church. The couple has participated in several of our parish ministries since they first moved to the area and joined Immaculate Conception 37 years ago. While the unavoidable effects of this year’s pandemic led to temporary church closures and the suspension of various meetings and ministries, the Finnegans are among the many parishioners who have continued to find ways to serve the Church through it all.

As the current president of our Altar Society, Joan has continued to coordinate the cleaning of candles and the laundering and ironing of altar linens throughout this unprecedented year. Time and again, she has witnessed the unwavering support of our parishioners for our Church.

“I’m still helping with checking the candles and washing the purificators,” Joan says. “Mike and I would check the candles when we went to adoration in March and April, and when I had to go back to work, he graciously continued that for me. I have a lady who cleans the red candles for us, and I call ladies to help with cleaning and ironing the purificators. They are all wanting to do something. I’ll call them and they say, ‘Oh, yes, we would do anything.’ They’re ready to get back into it.”

Although Joan and Mike have been Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for many years, they were unable to serve in this capacity for much of the year due to their age and the COVID-19 restrictions. They both dearly missed serving in this way and were thrilled when they could once again return to the ministry a few months ago.

Other ministries the Finnegans have been able to help with this year are looking a little different these days — this fall, they began helping Joan’s sister and brother-in-law as ushers, a task that included ensuring parishioners were wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

Of course, without the ability to gather in large groups, there are a few parish activities that have been deeply missed this year. For Joan and her fellow members of the Altar Society, the fall soup tasting luncheon was one such event. The group realized that, even though this annual fundraiser requires a lot of hard work on the part of the members, they all truly enjoy hosting the luncheon each year. Already, they are looking forward to the next opportunity they will have to hold this beloved event.

One thing that even the pandemic couldn’t take from our parishioners, however, is the strong sense of fellowship that participating together in our ministries provides.

“All of us ladies got to know each other very well,” Joan says. “There’s just a friendship and camaraderie that comes from that. It’s a calling that we all just do.”

Thanks to their involvement in parish life, the Finnegans feel a close connection to the faith community here at Immaculate Conception — one that has remained strong and true even in a time of social distancing.

“I just want to be involved in the church,” Joan says. “I don’t want to just go on the weekends only and that’s it. Mike feels the same way. He goes to daily Mass, to adoration, and checks the candles and all that. By being involved with the church, we feel more a part of it. I just feel good going to the Catholic Church and seeing my friends. It’s great to see everyone coming back to church.”

The Finnegan family (from left) — Mike, daughter Jennifer, Joan, son Andrew, daughter-in-law Amy, and granddaughter Violet