'Heart of God' Motivated Deacon Ken by Marie Finn
Deacon Kenneth Finn, 78, peacefully passed away at home on February, 7, 2014, surrounded by his loving family after an illness that began at birth.Kenneth Salvatore Joseph Finn was born on January 29, 1936. On the day of his birth, his mother had been rushed to the hospital because she fell down a flight of stairs. He was born 10 weeks early and they thought he was not going to live, so they baptized him at Boston city hospital. Several months later, he came home to a beautiful celebration.
Ken grew up in a Catholic home, his mother enjoyed taking him to Mon- day night novena and a Wednesday night healing hour. He loved the church as a child, its music, and the feeling of being close to God.
Ken had an older brother, Frank, who was about four years older, and they were very close. His sister, Teresa, was next, then Ken, and along came Joe twelve years later. Teresa used to call him “silver sleeves” because his runny nose would freeze on his coat sleeve. He would say an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to God, and an Act of Contrition before going to bed every night, and still did when he got older.
His favorite sport was baseball, and the Boston Red Sox was his favorite team. I think now the Chargers have taken a big place as Philip Rivers came and visited him in the hospital and prayed for him on his birthday. His favorite book was the Bible, and his favorite author was Marie Finn, at least that is what he wrote in his journal. He loved to read.
A question in his journal was “How did the bible influence your life,” and he answered, “I don’t remember when I first received it or even who gave it to me. I do remember being influenced by my wife, Marie. She got into the bible about two years before me; it took another two years before I started to read, meditate and become a born again Catholic in love with Jesus Christ.”
He was highly involved in the pro-life movement, praying in front of Planned Parenthood and an abortion clinic in the area. He went to jail in defense of the unborn. He and I were co-founders of Culture of Life Family Services and Benedictus, a ministry to Catholic men.
Ken and I met in a pizza parlor. He took a bunch of us girls to the seven churches, as it was Holy Thursday, and dropped me off last, and we had our first date on Easter Sunday in 1960. On this first date, Ken asked me to marry him, and I said yes. We were married the following October and headed for California the day we got married. I remember Ken getting into a scuffle with the priest who was going to marry us. He spoke his mind, as he still did up till the Lord called him home. He was sickly from birth till his death, but gave his life to follow Christ. He was ordained a deacon over 35 years ago. We have been married for 53 years.
Ken’s family meant everything to him. He loved his children and his grand-children. When we found out we couldn’t have kids, we adopted: first Laura, then Dan, then Gina. His love for Jesus spilled over onto our children, and they have a love for God that is growing by leaps and bounds.
Ken would tell us he had been terminally ill for the last 12 years. Doctors were baffled how he could go on with the little bit of lungs he had that were diseased. He would tell them it was God and prayer. He was determined and quick at whatever he did. He moved when he wanted to and stepped on a lot of toes; but as I look back, I see something he had that motivated him, and it was the heart of God. He had compassion and a great love for the poor and the prisoner, the sick, the lonely, his family. He taught me a lot through this heart of love. He would counsel people, try to fix their problems, and tell them what they should do. When he was dying in 1965, he told God if He would let him live, he would commit his life to serve Him, and God heard his prayer. He loved me dearly and taught me a lot about the compassion of Christ. I saw it in him. I am going to miss him dearly, but I will continue on doing the work that God began in us; and I know I can call on him anytime as he is now closer to Jesus than I am. Ken learned obedience through suffering, and I believe he achieved that oneness with God.
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.
In Jesus’ love, Marie
Scott Maxwell - From the Director
Dear Friends, we recently lost a very dear man, Deacon Ken Finn. As you read this issue, my hope is that you will see how God worked in his life to affect us all in a very positive way. Ken was the inspiration behind COLFS, and along with Marie, they were a dynamic team, loving people no matter their status in life. We all make mistakes, some of us serious ones (mortal sins), but Ken had a way to get to the crux of the matter with you. He was always ready with spiritual guidance that included a deep love for the one he was mentoring or counseling. Sometimes he had to knock us on the head with a spiritual two by four. “That is not what God wants of you,” he would say.He was always the encourager. Looking intently at his target, he would quote a scripture and intend it as hope and inspiration. He dug deeper into a response of “I’m doing fine, Deacon”. He wanted to hear your challenges and goals so he could impart his years of wisdom in a casual response. He cared and wanted to help, despite the pain he was enduring. He offered up his health challenges for you and me so we would see Him more clearly.
Yes, we lost someone very special here on earth, but we are encouraged by faith that he will be dancing (without his oxygen tank) in the gloriousness that we all seek—Heaven. May Ken continue to have a lasting impact on each one of us, encouraging us to take time to talk with one another, share scripture, and make a difference in this world. Even though I have always considered him a saintly man, may he one day be recognized throughout the Church as a true saint and someone to emulate in our walk toward Jesus. Please continue to pray for Marie, the Finn family, and all who were close to him.
Deacon Ken, rest in peace, my friend.
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Deacon Ken Finn was a spiritual mentor to me, which enriched and blessed my life. His ubiquitous question, “What is God doing in your life?” always made me reflect on how much I was letting God into my life.He was indefatigable despite his chronic lung disease. His zeal for God’s work more than counterbalanced his physical limitations. I loved his oft-repeated story, para- phrased here, when he would quote a friend who purportedly said, “Deacon Ken, for a holy man, you sure are a liar. You have been saying you are going to die of your lung disease for the last 20 years.”
I was blessed to be his friend, his physician, and, most importantly, his Christian brother. May he rest in peace, and may Our Lord look graciously upon his wonderful Marie—who, undoubtedly, will selflessly continue all of their work—and their children and grandchildren.
Here’s to a life well lived.
Terry and Barbara Caster
Ken Finn, his wife, Marie, and his children have been longtime good friends. Ken was a man on fire for Jesus Christ and was committed to bringing whoever he connected with to know Jesus.We worked Cursillo together, prayed, played, and traveled together. We enjoyed many great meals, cards, and fun while we had R & R in Palm Desert with them.
Ken was a true friend and counselor to us when we had serious family issues. Without Ken and Marie’s “intervention,” it could have been devastating for all of us concerned. He and Marie were a blessing.
We laughed a lot, we cried a few times, and we had some differences on occasions. Ken was a friend and a great disciple. He is now with Jesus and feeling over the top of the world in Heaven!
Deacon Mike Daniels
Ken Finn walked the walk! He walked in total, unrelenting, unbroken fellowship and dependence upon the activity of the Holy Spirit who indwelt Him. There were no filters for Deacon Ken’s faith. He was the lamp on the lamp stand. The light of God shown out from him at all times.Once I ran into Deacon Ken in a very busy coffee shop in La Jolla. I introduced him to my three daughters. With a twinkle in his eye, he charmed them off their feet. He was so overjoyed with love. He leaped up from the booth, stood in the very middle of the restaurant—stopping traffic as he did—and announced in a loud voice, “Let’s pray!” Grabbing hands in a circle, he immediately launched into one of his extraordinary extemporaneous prayers. People watched—he didn’t care. My daughters will never forget that moment. Oh Ken, how you will be missed!
Crisis Pregnancy: C's Story by a Volunteer Client Advocate
C came to COLFS around six weeks pregnant. Due to a troubled past, she was suffering physically and emotionally. She arrived with her boyfriend and his mother, and they were all concerned for the baby’s health. They didn’t know if they should have C carry the baby to term or decide to have an abortion.So many troubled women in an unplanned pregnancy believe their “problem” is the baby and that it can be “solved” by an abortion. Their families and friends often mistakenly encourage this decision because so few know the terrible, painful, and long-term consequences of abortion that plague a mother and even her family. Were these family members and friends made aware of the consequences of abortion—to the baby, of course, and to the mother, the father, and the rest of the family—they would seek other options, never wishing such torment on their loved ones.
After talking with Dr. Delgado and a client advocate, C had her ultrasound. She, her boyfriend, and the grandma saw that precious seven-week baby. C was given hope and many resources to help her carry the pregnancy to term. She eventually told her family, who lived out of state, and they actually planned baby showers for her. She wanted to please them, but she was stressed her family would not approve and would continue to claim that she was selfish and incapable of parenting. But God is good! C is making an effort to return to full participation in the Church and will have her baby boy baptized.
Culture of Life Family Services
4th Annual
Our Lady's Tea
Sunday, May 18, 2014
11:00am - 2:00pm
The Prado at Balboa Park
Tickets are $45 per guest
Lunch will be served
For more info: www.COLFS.org
Campus Corner by Erica Tobin
This month has brought many new victories for our campus outreach project. First and foremost, we’ve had another pro-life group join our ranks at El Camino High School in Oceanside. After only one meeting, they have a strong-willed, determined group of students ready to impact the campus! In addition, we visited Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Timothy’s youth group, and St. Peter’s youth group to spread the message of the culture of life.Also, after our amazing trip to San Francisco, where over 65 high school and college students participated in the Walk For Life and Students For Life of America’s West Coast Conference, one group had their school’s newspaper print a front page article on their experience. This is significant for COLFS and the pro-life clubs, as it has been our main objective through our Campus Outreach project to counteract the manipulating efforts of abortion mills like Planned Parenthood. After this amazing feat, however, I’ve realized that we’ve accomplished so much more. Not only do our youth realize their worth and dignity and refuse to give in to the lies they are being told by the culture of death, they are ready and willing to stand up and fight for their unborn brothers and sisters and let their peers see it for themselves.
Unfortunately, it is known that where there is growth, there will be resistance. Shortly after the article was published, the members of the pro-life club were met with an onslaught of cyber-bullying in the form of many various tweets. However, the students did not back down, and with help from COLFS and Students For Life of America, met with the administration, and demanded that school officials take a stance against this attack on the clubs’ right to exist and be promoted.
Here are testimonials from two of the San Francisco trip attendees:
”Honestly, I felt privileged to be able to go to San Francisco for the Walk for Life. It took a lot to be able to get together Mission Hills’ group of 9 students from our club, but it was definitely worth it in the end! Everyone in the club loved the experience and loved knowing the cause they were walking for. Being pro-life is a passion of mine, and I am glad that I was able to share it with my school and COLFS!”
“My weekend in San Francisco for the Walk For Life West Coast strengthened my faith immensely. Prior to the Walk, I had no idea how strong and on fire the pro-life movement was. I truly was in love with my Catholic identity as I marched down Market Street with over 60,000 people, mostly young people and Holy brothers and sisters. I realized that I was not alone in my walk with Christ; that the Pro-Life revolution is only just beginning and has a very bright future. The Walk for Life only fueled the fire in my soul that the Holy Spirit had lit.”
It is due to your prayers and support that we are able to accomplish what we do for the youth. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all so much and ask you to continue helping us fight the good fight as we plan to reach even more young people in the coming year.
Save the Date - 2014 Events
May 18 4th Annual Our Lady's Tea - Visit COLFS.org for more informationAugust 2nd Annual Pro-Life Picnic
October 4 5th Annual Pro-Life Gala
_____________________
STAFF
Scott Maxwell, President/CEO
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., Medical Director
Karen Saroki, M.D.
Don Palencia, D.O., M.S., D.A.B.F.P., C.M.N.F.P.M.C.
Lisa Higgins, MS, PA-C
Mario Mejia, Office Administrator
Debbie Bradel, BSN, PHN, Abortion Pill Reversal
Margaret Sutherlin, RN, ME
Corrie Thomas, RN
Pat Poindexter, RN, CFCP
Catherine Breen, BS, FCP
Erika Santana • Erica Tobin
Laura Flanagan • Mercy Vallejo
Wendy Verdin • Jessica Ortiz
Terri Sawaya • Vianca Dubon
Sonia de Leon • Sabrina Carrillo
Silvia Calvet • Michelle Quintanilla
Erika Sanchez BOARD MEMBERS
Colleen Maalouf, Co-Chair
Jim Teeter, Co-Chair, Treasurer
Tom Dobrino, Secretary
Bill Goyette
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
Bishop Cirilo Flores
Fr. Richard Castro, M.C.
Deacon Ken and Marie Finn
Deacon Keith Esshaki
Philip Rivers
Charles LiMandri, Esq
James Stabile
Mike Murphy
Roger Lopez
Culture of Life Family Services - San Diego5030 Camino de la Siesta, Suite 106
San Diego, CA 92108 United States
(619) 692-4401
Culture of Life Family Services - North County
362 West Mission Ave., #105
Escondido, CA 92025 United States
(760) 741-1224
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