Monsignor Peter Finn says it's hard to believe he's spent half a century as a priest.

"It seems like yesterday, to be truthful. I can't believe that it's 50 years. I like to think I'm younger than Springtime, and looking forward, not back," said Msgr. Peter Finn.

Msgr. Finn marked the occasion Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Church, where he's been pastor for the last 8 years.

"It was beautiful. It was very moving and touching and um, just a reflection of how loved he is," shared Darlene Vigliotti, Secretary and Parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Msgr. Finn was born in Tompkinsville and went to St. Peter's Boys High School before heading off to Manhattan College.

It was at St. Joseph's Seminary where he started his journey as a man of the cloth, graduating in 1965. 

"We were a hinge between the church that was and the church that's coming. "We were challenged to do what 12 men were challenged to do 2,000 years earlier. And that was to try to be apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ."

For Msgr. Finn, the decision to become a priest wasn't an easy one. He tossed around a number of career ideas, including becoming a lawyer or teacher before becoming a member of the clergy.

"After a period of thought & reflection, I almost reluctantly said ok. I gotta get this out of my craw."

When he's not at church, Msgr. Finn spends his time serving his borough as a member of the NAACP, and on the board of Project Hospitality, a nonprofit that serves the borough's hungry and homeless.

"That's great, always giving back to the community seems to be the Blessed Sacrament way," said one resident.

Service is exactly what Msgr. Finn has dedicated his life to.

"It's the wonder of the people that I've had the privilege to serve and  to try to not screw up in their lives. And that's not an achievement. That's just a blessing. And I'm grateful for it."

He's not done yet. Msgr. Finn has plans for the road ahead.

"Starting all over again. I fully hope to make the next 50 years in this age of wonder. I dunno, maybe I'll end up on a spaceship to Mars or something. I'll be scared to death, but you never know,” he laughed.