Carroll, Finian, 1903-1971, Capuchin priest

John Joseph Carroll was born near Nenagh in County Tipperary on 15 February 1903. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans in September 1921 and took Finian as his religious name. Having completed his philosophical and theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1929. Shortly afterwards, he volunteered for missionary work in the United States. His first assignment was in the Parish of St. Mary of the Angels in Ukiah, California. He remained assistant pastor in Ukiah until 1933 when he was assigned to Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame, California. In August 1939 he was appointed pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Elk, California. In the following years he had many assignments, moving between California and Oregon and ministering in various Capuchin foundations. From July 1939 to July 1943, he was pastor at Mission Santa Inés, Solvang, California. He then moved to St. Joseph’s Parish in Roseburg, Oregon (1943-4). From 1944 to 1950, he was assistant pastor in Ukiah California. He then served as custodian at the Capuchin Friary in McKenzie Ridge, Oregon (1950-2). In 1952 he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Fort Bragg, California. Here he was successful in building a new church and rectory and relocating the parish hall to the new property. In 1956 he moved to the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Los Angeles and was appointed pastor. He immediately began raising funds for the construction of a new church. By the time he retired from the parish in 1964, the new church was completed and was open for services. In 1969 he was transferred to Mission Santa Inés in California. This was to be his last appointment as his health had begun to decline. In September 1971, he returned to Ireland to celebrate his Golden Jubilee as Capuchin Franciscan friar. He suffered a heart attack on 16 September 1971 in Nenagh, County Tipperary. He was buried in the Capuchin plot in Foulkstown Cemetery in County Kilkenny.

Baptismal name: John Joseph Carroll
Religious name: Fr. Finian Carroll OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 15 Feb. 1903
Place of birth: Belleen, Nenagh, County Tipperary (Diocese of Killaloe)
Name of father: Hugh Carroll
Name of mother: Julia Carroll (née Slattery)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 18 Sept. 1921
Date of first profession: 15 Oct. 1922
Date of final profession: 29 Dec. 1925
Educational attainments: BA (NUI), 1925
Date of ordination (as priest): 29 June 1929
Missionary activities: Travelled to the American mission custody in 1929
Date of death: 17 Sept. 1971
Place of death: Nenagh, County Tipperary
Place of burial: Foulkstown Cemetery, County Kilkenny