FRESNO, Calif. — Fr. Finian McGinn, OFM, former Provincial Minister of St. Barbara Province, was honored recently as a distinguished alumnus of California State University, Fresno. Only 27 were so privileged, according to the January 2008 issue of Friar News, the monthly newsletter of the St. Barbara Province, which said that “his outstanding achievements were lauded.”
The newsletter said that Fr. Finian’s accomplishments include teaching bilingual education and multi-culturism, an M.A. degree Spanish and linguistics 1978; teacher of the year in 1985; receiving a doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco in 1989; an Outstanding Dissertation Award for his School; service as pastor and in provincial administration for many years as Provincial Definitor, Vicar and Minister.
Residing in Rome, Fr. Finian is now a General Definitor of the Order. Due to a serious medical condition, he will remain in the United States for several months, staying in San Francisco for treatment and recuperation.