Members of the Perpetuo Socorro Catholic Church choir in Saltillo, Mexico are planning a trip to Biloxi, Mississippi to remember in concert a charismatic and lovable Irish priest named Padre Patrick Quinn, who served as their Pastor for 28 years, and as a way to thank those from Mississippi, Louisiana as well as other parishes around the United States who often visited and supported the Mission over the years since the Mission was started by Father Quinn in 1969. The choir has even written songs about this legend of a man. Father Quinn was born in Ireland on June 25, 1930, spent time in Mississippi after being ordained a priest, and took up missionary work in Saltillo, Mexico, in January, 1969, where he stayed until his death in January, 1997.
A mexican author, Jesus "Chuy" Salas Cortez has penned a book about the famous beloved Pastor, and plans to open a book tour at the same event. This is the english edition. The spanish version was launched last year. The book includes many photos along with the history of the life and times of this great man. Fr. Quinn's amazing accomplishments are brought to life with this first book written about the saintly Father Quinn. He was simply a legend in his own time. He was loved and still missed by thousands of people whose lives he touched.
EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK:
OH, GOOD MAN
by
Jesus Salas Cortes
For Benjamin Piovan,
with great affection.
PREFACE
Sometimes, when you least expect it, life sends you a gift. That’s what happened to me when I received this story about Father Quinn. Like most people from Saltillo, I had heard of the Irish priest who was at the Church of Perpetuo Socorro, the priest who took food and clothing to people who lived in rural areas, but now I truly regret never meeting him. I didn’t know Chuy Salas, the author of the book that tells the story of the life and work of this missionary priest, either.
A few weeks ago I received a phone call, the announcement of the gift that life was sending to me: the opportunity to be in close contact with the life and work of Father Quinn, by intercession of Chuy Salas Cortes. It was the latter who was calling to
ask me to help him with the correction of style of his book, since a friend of his, Miguel Sanchez Maldonado, had recommended that Chuy contact me for this task. I will never be able to thank Chuy enough for taking his friend’s advice.
When I found out about the type of book I was dealing with, I thought it would be about a priest that was well-loved in his parish, one of many in our city; and only that. As I read the text I realized how wrong I was. The hero of the story that Chuy tells is far from being a common priest. He was a man who performed his ministry with total dedication, a revived example of Christ on Earth.
According to Catholic doctrine, there are three main functions of priests, the men who are consecrated into the ministry of service to the Church: preaching, administering sacraments, and pastoral government. Some theologians say that preaching is the essential work of a priest, that a priest is the herald of God’s word.
Others point out that the aspect of worship is predominant. Yet others argue that
guiding the faithful is the most important issue.
According to Jean Galot, priests are present to serve the community, and guiding at same community is a service offered in love: “Christ guides His flock through His Word and guarantees the truth of his teachings through the supreme testimony of giving
of Himself.” That’s what Father Quinn was: a living testimony of the teachings of Jesus, who also gave his life for his brothers.
As you read these pages, those of you who had the blessing of knowing him will remember the genius and the wit of this priest. Those who were not so lucky will discover the wonderful man in this Irish priest, a man who served thousands of people
from rural and urban Saltillo with joy, love and passion, and who touched the lives of many with his example.
I know that writing this book was an act of reverence and love inspired by Patrick Quinn. The book is without doubt a heartfelt tribute to the unforgettable Irishman who came to Saltillo one good day to fulfill a mission and never left because
he wanted to stay with us forever.
Odila Fuentes Aguirre
Saltillo, Coahuila de Zaragoza, October, 2014
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Details of the book sales will be announced at the Fatima event. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Saltillo Mission San Miguel. The Mission is still going strong.
The Mission is on Facebook at Saltillo Mission San Miguel.
