Sister Paula Marie Finn, CSJ

We Remember her in the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer.

December 28, 1936 – July 27, 2025

In the 71ˢᵗ year of her Religious Life.

Entered: September 8, 1954

Relationship, which is the heart of our mission, was of great value to Paula and she was so grateful for the strong relationships she had with her devoted family and her very close friends.

Paula brought her experiences of a happy environment and strong and nurturing relationships into her own years as teacher and then principal. She enjoyed her students and worked collaboratively with the faculties while creating a positive work place. “I found a treasure in a field, that neither time nor death can steal. I will sell what I have, give all that I am to hold this treasure as my own.” These lines are from a song that Paula chose for this liturgy as well as for her jubilee liturgy in 2004. They are based on the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel Paula chose for today, as well as for her jubilee in 2004. She is clearly letting us know where her heart was, and where her treasure lay. Who Sister Paula was as sister, aunt, friend, teacher, CSJ was grounded in her love of God and in her knowledge of God’s love for her, and for the dear neighbor, without distinction.

Joan Marion Finn was born in December of 1935 to Helena Maturo Finn and William Finn. She grew up in Medford with her three brothers Donald, Joseph and Paul. She describes her home as loving and happy, her brothers as great, and her Catholic education as important and meaningful, where religion classes were her favorite. She shared that a highlight of her life was naming her youngest brother Paul and being able to take him places. It was for Paul, she said, that she bought a forbidden puppy and hid him in the basement for days until their father said, when hearing him scratch against the door, “Are you going to let him in, or what?”

It was in the fifth grade that Paula first considered religious life because she wanted to be like her favorite sisters, Sister Gemella Casey and Sister Louise Murray. She described her years at the Mount as like having a second family.
She received an award at St. Ann’s Neponset for being the longest serving principal.

Relationship, which is the heart of our mission, was of great value to Paula and she was so grateful for the strong relationships she had with her devoted family and her very close friends. She was always open for an adventure, had a great sense of humor, even during the most trying of times, and made sure that those she loved knew it. She was engaged and “hands on” in each community of which she was apart, in ministry, friendship, and family. Sr. Paula Finn lived life gratefully. She knew she was blessed. And as the end grew near, we watched her go from fear of the unknown, to readiness, to anticipation. She was confident that the treasure she sought awaited her.