Monsignor Thomas Nevin
"He represented unity for the whole parish."
- Father Ken Krause
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| Monsignor Thomas Nevin |
| Mar 8, 1904 - Dec 15, 1989 |
Monsignor Thomas Joseph Nevin emigrated from Ireland in 1930. When he first came to Costa Mesa in 1947, Costa Mesa wasn't even on the map and Nevin needed to explain to his friends back in Ireland that he was not in Costa Rica, but rather Costa Mesa.
After celebrating St. Joachim's first mass in March 16, 1947 with a handful of people (about 40), Monsignor Nevin dedicated the next 50 years of his life guiding and directing St. Joachim's parish to a size of over 4,500 people.
Although the growth of the parish under Nevin's care is remarkable, it is not what was most remarkable about Monsignor Nevin. Apart from Nevin's inexhaustible capacity for compassion and gentleness, Monsignor Nevin also was gifted with the ability to see directions for St. Joachim that were outside typically followed paths of American Catholic parishes. Monsignor Nevin was instrumental in embracing the Hispanic community at that time. Not only did Monsignor Nevin manage to make the Hispanic Community part of St. Joachim Parish, but Monsignor Nevin, through the parishioners of St. Joachim Parish, reached out to the Hispanic population of west side Costa Mesa with information and encouragement to become politically active, fight gangs and rebuild their neighborhoods. Monsignor Nevin also fostered a parish that encourages persons with disabilities to become and active part of the church ministries.
People remember Nevin as a man who was very laid back. He never got excited about things. He never talked about money. If there was a need, he just said "Well, we'll see. The Lord will provide", and somehow it all came together.
Nevin was a man ahead of his time. He readily adapted to changes in both the church as well as the needs of the parishioners -- a capacity which made St. Joachim Parish noted as a kind, gentle and loving religious community.
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