Charles Finnegan was awarded an honorary doctorate at Neumann College during the academic awards convocation there on April 21. Neumann College is a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia and is located in Aston, Pa. Here is the description of the award:
From early childhood, there was a strong Franciscan influence in the life of Charles Finnegan, throughout his attendance at Holy Name Grammar School in Manhattan and continuing through his days at St. Joseph Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y. He made his profession as a member of the Holy Name Province of the Order of Friars Minor in 1952, and six years later, in 1958, he was ordained a priest in that Province.
Since that time, his Franciscan ministry has included missionary work in Brazil; service as pastor, councilor, and vicar general of the Diocese of Anapolis; and retreats and workshops on Franciscan spirituality and evangelization in various countries of Europe and Asia, as well as in the United States. His special gifts and talents were recognized through assignments as general visitator of various provinces in Europe, Africa, and Canada; service on the Provincial Council as Provincial Minister; and as a member of the Commission on the New Constitutions and the Committee on Evangelization.
Charles is also a frequent contributor to The Cord, a Franciscan spiritual journal published by the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University. At present, “Father Charlie” (as he is affectionately known by many), is director of the San Damiano Spiritual Center in Philadelphia. This center is associated with St. Francis Inn, which serves bodily and spiritual nourishment to the poor of the city.
His ministry has been one of preaching the Gospel values with his words and his actions – generously and humbly sharing himself and his gifts with others through his presence and his writings.
For your passion and commitment to serving the less served and the poor, it is with great joy and honor that the Neumann College Board of Trustees bestows on Father Charles Finnegan the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa.