The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine today jointly announce the appointment of Reverend Patrick J. Finn as chaplain for the college, effective August 1, 2024.
In this new role, Fr. Finn, in collaboration with the Mercy Center, will foster the liturgical, spiritual, and personal development of the entire college community. Fr. Finn has served as parochial vicar for Prince of Peace Parish—the Catholic community of Lewiston, Lisbon, and Sabattus—since 2020.
“I am very excited to begin work as chaplain for Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. The college’s slogan is ‘Where Community Grows,’” said Fr. Finn. “God made the human heart to be in relationship—with Him and with others. A Catholic college like Saint Joseph’s can do so much to help build real community, grounded in the truths of the Catholic faith. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help build the Saint Joseph’s community.”
As the chaplain, Fr. Finn will provide leadership for a variety of faith-based activities and initiatives. He will provide regular opportunities for Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and pastoral counseling, will be available for spiritual guidance, and will be visibly present on campus for a variety of student needs.
"Saint Joseph’s College is proud of its Catholic identity and its tradition of service to others which was established and fostered by the Sisters of Mercy,” said President Joseph Cassidy. “The addition of Father Finn to our community will help us leverage the work of our Mercy Center and support the development of our Catholic students as well as our students from other faith traditions."
The Most Reverend James Ruggieri, the 13th bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, formally appointed Fr. Finn to this role. In his first weeks as bishop, he celebrated Baccalaureate Mass on the St. Joseph’s College campus and participated in Commencement Exercises.
“The ministry of a thriving Catholic college in the Diocese of Portland is very important to the Church’s mission of evangelization and integral to the formation of the human person,” said Bishop Ruggieri. “Fr. Finn’s enthusiasm and priestly ministry will surely contribute to the good work President Cassidy and the faculty and staff of St. Joseph’s College are already doing.”
A graduate of Morse High School in Bath, Fr. Finn earned an undergraduate degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and a Master of Divinity from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. After working as communications director for the U.S. Bishops’ Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, D.C., and as director of faith formation at Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, he completed his priestly formation at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass. Fr. Finn was ordained to the priesthood in 2018. During his first priestly assignment as parochial vicar in Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville and Winslow, he celebrated Mass at Colby College and helped grow the Catholic community there. During Fr. Finn’s priestly ministry in Lewiston, he served as Catholic Chaplain at Bates College, collaborating with the Catholic student community to celebrate Sunday Masses on the campus.
“I’ve been very blessed to work with young people in a variety of settings and roles for most of my professional and ministerial life,” Fr. Finn said. “Saint Joseph’s College is a special place, and it will be a blessing to help build up the community there.”
About Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912. In fulfillment of its mission, the college welcomes students of all ages and all faiths into its diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community, which seeks to remain focused on compassion and justice, in solidarity with the marginalized. The college offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education, nursing, and business which are bolstered by strong community-based learning programs that invite students to learn both inside and outside of the classroom.
About the Diocese of Portland
The Diocese of Portland was established by Pope Pius IX on July 29, 1853. It includes the entire state of Maine and is part of the Province of Boston. The diocese has an area of 33,215 square miles and a population of more than 275,000 Catholics. It is organized in the form of a corporation sole, the title of which is "Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland." In addition to its 48 parishes, it has eight elementary schools, one private elementary school, one diocesan high school, and one private high school. It also includes one Catholic college, Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish.
