With the Nov. 24 death of Msgr. Sean P. Flynn in his native Ireland, many parishioners here in the Diocese of Trenton were deeply affected by the loss.
PHOTO GALLERY: Memorial Mass for Msgr. Sean Flynn
On Dec. 18, St. Mark Parish in Sea Girt offered its community a chance to say goodbye more formally to their former pastor, who led the parish for 15 years prior to his retirement in 2023. Parishioners and loved ones gathered in St. Mark Church for a Memorial Mass for Msgr. Flynn, which was celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrated more than a dozen priests of the Diocese.
Compassion and Connection
Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish in Bordentown and episcopal vicar of Burlington County, delivered the homily, calling Msgr. Flynn “a priest of Jesus Christ” and connecting his 50 years of ministry to the parable of the sheep and goats.
“It’s not often you hear this passage at funeral Masses,” he noted. “But this reading appropriately describes who Msgr. Flynn was. Throughout his life, he cared deeply for the least of his brothers and sisters,’ he added.
“He would tend to the heartbroken, the hurt and the forgotten people in this world. He knew he was administering Christ to them.”
Examples of Msgr. Flynn’s compassionate approach to ministry were many, but Father O’Reilly specifically cited Monsignor’s involvement in post-abortion healing ministry.
“Msgr. Flynn reminded the suffering women that God still loved them. He would bring hope, purpose and dignity to those who were still spiritually healing from their abortion,” Father O’Reilly remarked.
Also from Ireland, Father O’Reilly recalled that Msgr. Flynn was known for his “Irish charm.”
“The greater he insulted you, meant the more he liked you,” he joked with the audience.
“He was remembered to be quiet on the phone, but in-person he was known to be very funny and personable.”
Msgr. Flynn was also known for his welcoming spirit wherever he served in the local community.
Parishioner Jim O’Brien said Msgr. Flynn and others in parish leadership were very supportive of the parish’s outreach to Hispanic Catholics; fostering friendships between both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parishioners.
Msgr. Flynn also was committed to ecumenical connections wherever he served. His close-friend Father Russell A. Griffin, S.S.C., of St. Uriel the Archangel Episcopalian Church in Sea Girt was among the friendships that Msgr. Flynn had made and read the prayer intentions at the Memorial Mass.
Lasting Memories
Although the ocean separated him from his family, Father O’Reilly recalls how Flynn brought “Ireland” with him to the United States.
He said that Flynn would always call his family every Sunday, and when he was available would travel home to baptize the children of his many nieces and nephews.
Father O’Reilly mused, “There is no doubt that ‘Uncle’ Sean Flynn will be brought up in stories by his future grand-nieces and nephews. He will always be remembered by his family as a great and holy priest.”
Ryan Nickerson, a friend of Msgr. Flynn and member of Epiphany Parish in Brick, said it was inspirational to see so many attend the Mass. “I thought it was beautiful seeing all the priests attend here today for Monsignor.”
Former parishioners Donald and Mary McLaughlin said they flew from Florida to attend the memorial service. “He was a wonderful and gentle man,” Don said.
“He was filled with so many gifts from God,” Mary recalled of her one-time pastor.
A second Memorial Mass is planned for Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. in St. Joseph Church, Toms River, where Msgr. Flynn was pastor from 1996-2008.
Brother priests, loved ones and parishioners gather for the Dec. 18 memorial Mass celebrated for Msgr. Sean Flynn, who died Nov. 24. Msgr. Flynn was pastor of St. Mark Parish from 2008-2023. John Batkowski photo
Msgr. Sean P. Flynn remembered with love by family, friends following his death in Ireland