H.E PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE SPECIAL INVESTITURE CEREMONY FOR FR. ALAN JOSEPH FINN, C.M.

The Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Suva, Reverend Father Sulio Turagakacivi;
Minister for Home Affairs, Honourable Pio Tikoduadua;
The Superior, Father Filimoni Vosabalavu and Members of the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers in Fiji;
Recipient of the Order of Fiji, Fr. Alan Joseph Finn;
Sisters of Our Lady of Nazareth;
Daughters of Charity;
Parishioners of St John the Apostle, Natovi; 
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
Miau Sa Bula Re and a very good morning to you all!
 
It gives me great pleasure to confer upon Father Alan Joseph Finn, or as he is known as ‘The Great Finn’, the insignia of the Honorary Companion of the Order of Fiji which is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Fiji and humanity at large. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Father Finn as a Vincentian having resided in Fiji since 1964 devoted over six decades of unwavering obedience to the spirit and tradition of the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, Saint Vincent de Paul, who called the poor “our masters who feed us” through his service to the church and to Fiji and her people. 

Fiji is indeed indebted to missionaries who left the comfort and safety of their families, homes and their country to come and serve in Fiji as educators, health workers, builders and importantly so to be ministers of life sharing the gospel with our people.

Throughout his 60-year tenure in Fiji, Father Alan Finn served primarily the Roman Catholic Church, touching the lives of countless Fijians, irrespective of their faith. His service was focussed majority of the time on the Saint John the Apostle parish in Natovi and surrounding villages in Tailevu that were affiliated with Natovi, where he dedicated a significant portion of his ministry. Additionally, he provided his invaluable assistance as an assistant administrator at the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish in the early 1970s.
 
Reflecting on Fr. Finn’s life of unreserved servitude to the mission, we see that in addition to being a priest he was also a compassionate educator. His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of Natovi primary school, now known as Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School, as well as the transformation of Natovi Secondary School into St. Vincent College.

He was also instrumental as Manager for the St Joseph the Worker primary school in Nakasi for some time, which under his leadership and guidance, became the largest primary school in the Suva-Nausori corridor, providing education to countless students from surrounding suburbs. Over four decades, his influence as an educator positively impacted tens of thousands of Fijians, fostering learning and enlightenment across races and creeds.

Ladies and gentlemen, a missionary is traditionally known to be selfless and selfsacrificing when serving, Fr. Finn is such an individual whose altruism extended beyond educational endeavours, as he selflessly cared for orphaned children from Saint Christopher's Home in Nakasi. Throughout his priesthood, he administered the sacraments of baptism, communion, confession, and marriage to hundreds of thousands of Fijians, nurturing their spiritual well-being and fostering a strong sense of faith within the community.
In following in the footsteps of Christ and embodying His ministry of love, compassion, and service, Father Finn has truly represented the essence of Christian discipleship.

His unwavering dedication to the well-being and spiritual nourishment of the Fijian community that spans 4 – 5 generations of Catholic as well as non- Christian Fijians echoes the teachings and values imparted by Christ Himself. Father Finn's life and work reflect the transformative power of faith, demonstrating that true discipleship extends beyond words to encompass a life of action and selfless devotion to others. 
 
The impact of Father Alan Finn's vocation resonates far beyond the church. His mentorship and guidance have shaped numerous Fijian leaders who now serve their communities, churches, organisations, and the government. His tireless efforts have instilled hope, empowered individuals, and promoted a brighter future for Fiji. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, after serving with unwavering devotion, Father Finn now approaches his well-deserved retirement from the Natovi Catholic mission, where he faithfully conducted masses for the boarding students of Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School. 
 
Despite recently experiencing a loss of vision, Father Finn's unconquerable spirit, unyielding faith and unquestionable obedience to the mission continues to drive him in his remaining days. In bestowing the Honorary Companion of the Order of Fiji upon Father Alan Joseph Finn, the Fijian people express their profound gratitude for his lifelong commitment, sacrificial service, and unwavering love for God, Fiji and humanity. His exemplary life serves as a testament to the power of selflessness, leaving a permanent mark in the hearts and minds of all who have had the privilege of knowing him.
 
In conclusion, Fr. Finn’s life of dedication and unwavering service is the lighthouse that we should look to for guidance as we charter these times of unprecedented trials and tribulations that our church, our lives and our world is facing. I wish to personally thank and acknowledge him for his tenacity and perseverance that has manifested itself in the contributing citizens of Fiji as well as those of the Fijian diaspora. 

With those few words, I wish to congratulate ‘The Great Finn’ for being conferred today under the Order of Fiji.

May the Almighty God continue to bless Fiji as well as each of us.  
 
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you all!