Biography

Mons John Stephen Finlayson (SKC 1953)

John Finlayson has enjoyed leading a priestly life for over 65 years. He was the second of four children of third generation Australian parents who lived in Melbourne. By the time he arrived at school-going age, the family lived in North Balwyn. In 1947, John joined his older brother Peter (SKC '51) at St Kevin’s, after attending primary school at St Anne’s Parish, East Kew. The third Finlayson: Michael (SKC '55), followed as well. John’s first teachers at St Kevin’s were Mr Sullivan, a retired teacher, one of many who filled in for the men who went to the war, and Br B Hayes. The Principal of St Kevin’s was Br Jack Saul, and the sportsmaster, Br Rahill, a cousin of their mother.

Br Saul was replaced by Br B L Rooney, and his favourite subject was Latin which John retained to “keep my options open.” Br Rooney had the highest hopes for his pupils when they graduated. He made no secret of the fact that his career preferences for St Kevin’s graduands were the priesthood/religious life, then medicine, and the civil service. Br Rooney’s vision, along with his other Catholic ideals for life, made a strong impression on him and, in retrospect, John does not hesitate in saying that his years at St Kevin’s in the 40s/50s were happy and fulfilling, which enabled him to make good decisions in his adult life.

On matriculating in December 1953, John commenced a part-time Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne, while working full-time at McPherson’s Ltd. He did well in the first year of Commerce, but then recognised that his real vocation was the priesthood, preferably doing missionary work somewhere; and where better than South Africa? Through the good offices of Fr Des O’Connor SJ, and their uncle, Fr Fred Martin, based in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, John was admitted to Corpus Christi Seminary, Werribee, for the Diocese of Johannesburg. After four years at Werribee, John moved to Pretoria to complete his studies.

He arrived at Durban in February 1959, and in due course was ordained in September 1962 by Bp Hugh Boyle in the presence of his parents, who made the trip from Melbourne for the occasion. The following day, Bp Boyle left to attend the opening of the Second Vatican Council by Pope St John XXIII, which has proved to be the most significant event in the Church in John’s lifetime.

His first appointment was as assistant priest at St Hubert’s Church, Alexandra; a great place to begin one’s priestly life, John suggests. Holy Rosary Sisters ran a combined primary and high-school for Africans, along with the day-clinic for everyone. By 1966, he had been asked to take up secretarial duties at the office of the Papal representative in Pretoria and for six years where he found himself confronted with the implementation of the decisions of Vatican II. He was sorry to leave the Apostolic Delegation. In 1972, John was appointed priest-in-charge of Benoni, a former mining town and now an industrial centre, not far from the international airport, with two churches serving the needs of 1,500 white families and 500 African and Indian families.

By 1983, a break was needed and John went to the Archdiocese of Liverpool (UK) then back to Johannesburg by October 1985 where he was assigned to the Florida Parish on the West Rand. Never one to shy away from study, John graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UNISA and then, over five years, headed up the committee that saw the RENEW program run in the Diocese. However, in 1994, his degree saw him accept a position to the diocesan chancery as Financial Administrator. After the appointment of a lay Financial Administrator, he was appointed Vicar General and, from 2000, also Judicial Vicar of what is now the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. Although one could argue John did not need to, he nevertheless thought it wise to complete a degree in Cannon Law as well. He did this at the newly established St Augustine’s College (tertiary). An extraordinary career in church administration came to an end in 2009, and John took up duties as pastor at St Joseph’s Church, Primrose. John now enjoys retirement back in Australia closer to family in Bunbury, Western Australia, where he still can be found assisting parishes with priestly service while priests take their holidays. John Finlayson reflects on the influence St Kevin’s had on his life with fondness and has high praise for the teachers that taught him. He also considers the Catholic school an integral part of the development of our youth. As a Kevinian, John and his brothers maintain contact with the Old Collegians’ Office and keep a keen eye on how the school is maintaining its place in our modern world. Thank you, Mons John Finlayson for your vocation.