By Deacon Matthew Hecker, Ph.D.
Spoken by Jesus and recounted in St. Matthew’s Gospel, these words describe Father Joseph Finn: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
For 20 of his 25 years of priesthood, Father Finn has served as a hospital chaplain, bringing God’s mercy to the sick, the suffering and the dying.
Prior to his official assignment as hospital chaplain, beginning with his first year of his priesthood at St. Cecilia Parish in Hastings, Father Finn has served in some sort of hospital chaplaincy role. He currently serves as chaplain in four hospitals in the Lincoln area: Bryan Health (East and West), Lincoln Regional Center and together with Father Joseph Steele at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.
In his earlier life, Father Finn never intended to serve as a hospital chaplain. He grew up on a farm in Carroll, the youngest of eight children of Patrick and Marilyn Finn. He attended Wayne State College and graduated with a double major in chemistry and biology. From there, he enrolled in graduate school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with the intention of pursuing advanced studies in biochemistry. He also gave passing thought to attending medical school.
However, after completing one year of graduate school and being active at the Newman Center, Father Finn sensed a different calling. Discerning a possible priestly vocation, he made the decision to enter the seminary. Five years later, in 1998, Bishop Bruskewitz ordained him a priest.
While enrolled at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, a first glimpse of his true calling came after a house duty assignment as “infirmarian,” that is, one who takes care of his fellow seminarians when they are infirm or sick. Father Finn served in that capacity for two years. The role allowed him to connect the dots between his undergraduate studies and his possible ministry. It was then that he began to embrace a genuine love of caring for the sick. Following that, during his diaconal year, Father Finn spent time in the nursing homes and the hospital in David City.
Building on that experience, in his subsequent parish assignments, at St. Cecilia, Blessed Sacrament in Lincoln, and Orleans and Oxford,
Father Finn said he felt a strong call to serve in hospital ministry. In 2003, Bishop Bruskewitz formally assigned him duties as a hospital chaplain. He continues to serve in that role.
Father Finn resides at St. Mary Parish in Lincoln, where he celebrates Masses, hears confessions, and serves as the spiritual director for the Legion of Mary praesidium.
When asked what attracted him to hospital ministry, without hesitation Father Finn answered, “Because it is a corporal work of mercy.”
He understands his priesthood is a gift, and he said he is humbled to be an instrument of God and his mercy.
“It is a way to bring Christ to individuals and their families at a very difficult time.”
Baptizing, hearing confessions, bringing the Eucharist, anointing the sick, and on occasion confirming, the sick, the suffering and the dying, allows Father Finn to be Jesus Christ present to His children at the hour of their most need.
Father Finn’s ministry provides tremendous comfort to the sick and dying. Praying with them, and with their family members, in those very difficult hours is not an easy task. But that is what it signifies to Father Finn to be a priest of God.
Asked about some of the highs and lows of his priestly journey, right away Father Finn identified the COVID-19 pandemic as presenting the most significant pastoral challenge for him. Restrictions enacted for safety purposes often created problems for his hospital work.
On the other hand, some of his most meaningful moments have come in being able to share his priesthood with his family. For example, he listed being the celebrant for his sister Amy’s wedding, offering the homily at the funeral of his mother, and presiding and preaching at his father’s funeral. It is a joy for Father Finn to bring Christ into the very heart of his own family, all of whom still reside in eastern Nebraska.
Asked his advice to the newly ordained priests of the diocese, Father Finn replied simply.
“You are an ordained minister of Christ,” he said. “It is a life of prayer and service.”
Indeed, this humble, quiet servant of Christ has devoted his life to serving the needs of others at what is often the darkest and most difficult time of their lives. To bring God’s love and mercy into those moments, to help people know that God is truly present and walking with them through the darkness, this is what priesthood means to Father Finn.
