In early November, Msgr. Sean Patrick Flynn boarded a plane bound for his family home in Ireland. It was a trip he had made many times before, allowing him to be part of weddings, Baptisms and other key celebrations.
But this would be the last time to return home for the 75-year-old priest of the Diocese of Trenton, who had been battling serious illness. Just a few weeks after his arrival, Msgr. Flynn died, surrounded by his family and in the presence of the Lord whom Msgr. Flynn had served so faithfully for 50 years.
The long-time pastor of St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, died Nov. 24 in Ireland’s Cavan General Hospital. Msgr. Flynn was remembered during three days of funeral services beginning with visitation in the home of his brother, Martin Flynn, in Drumslavog, Scotstown, Nov. 26 and concluding with a Mass of Christian Burial Nov. 28 in St. Mary Church, Urbleshanny.
Bishops’ Commendations
Bishop Lawrence Duffy of the Diocese of Clogher in Ireland remembered his good friend and brother priest as a man with a deep faith and a great sense of generosity and support. And when things needed to be done, he was one of the first to volunteer, Bishop Duffy shared.
“For a priest to say the words of Christ” during the Consecration, when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, “we’re dealing with a wonderful mystery, a mystery that Sean engaged in daily,” said Bishop Duffy. “The Eucharist was the center of Father Sean’s life.”
As part of his homily, Bishop Duffy read a letter from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who said, “I write on behalf of the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to express heartfelt sympathy and prayerful condolences to the family and friends of Reverend Monsignor Sean Flynn at his recent passing.”
“Monsignor Flynn was a wonderful member of the presbyterate of the Diocese of Trenton and a great priest and pastor here for the past 50 years,” Bishop O’Connell wrote. “We all enjoyed his warmth, kindness, sense of humor and ‘Irish charm’ in the many pastoral assignments he faithfully served throughout the Diocese. Although he suffered from poor health in more recent months, Msgr. Flynn was always a great example of priestly zeal to his fellow priests and parishioners where he served.”
“. . . Please know that the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton will join you in prayer for his eternal rest,” wrote Bishop O’Connell.
Msgr. Sean P. Flynn speaks to the congregation in St. Mark Church, Sea Girt, during his June 25, 2023 retirement Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo
His Priestly Journey
As reported by The Monitor in prior coverage, Msgr. Flynn was born in September 1950 on a small farm in Monaghan, Ireland. He was in elementary school when he first thought about the priesthood. At that time, vocations were plentiful in Ireland, so he considered serving as a missionary priest in a foreign land. When an Irish priest from the Diocese of Trenton visited young Sean’s school, he turned his attention to the possibility of a priestly vocation in the central New Jersey diocese.
Msgr. Flynn studied for the priesthood in St. Patrick College, County Carlow, Ireland, and was ordained in 1975. Soon after, he arrived in the Diocese of Trenton where he served as parochial vicar in Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, 1976-1981; Blessed Sacrament Parish, Trenton (now part of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton), 1981-1984, and St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, 1984-1989. In 1989, he became parochial vicar of St. Dorothea Parish, Eatontown, before being named pastor there in 1990.
Msgr. Flynn went on to serve pastorates in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, from 1996 to 2008, and St. Mark Parish, from 2008 until he retired in 2023. In retirement he assisted in several area parishes including St. Denis Parish, Manasquan. He held leadership roles and board memberships for such agencies as Catholic Charities, Trenton, and Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, Lawrenceville. He also served as the Bishop’s representative for Catholic hospitals; as an Engaged Encounter Team priest, and as diocesan coordinator for ministry to those with AIDS. In November 1993 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of monsignor.
Fondly Remembered
In an announcement to all priests about Msgr. Flynn’s death, Bishop O’Connell asked for prayers for Monsignor’s eternal rest. Several priests responded, sharing warm sentiments about him.
“What a great brother priest!” exclaimed Father Edward Griswold, a retired priest of the Diocese, adding, “One of many Irish gifts to our Diocese. RIP.”
Father Stephen Piga, pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Toms River, remembered his brother priest as being “just a wonderful guy,” and Father Carlos Castilla, parochial vicar, said, “I thank God for giving me the gift of knowing him. May his soul rest in the peace of the Lord.”
Additional messages from priests and other well-wishers were posted online.
“Our prayers and condolences to Msgr. Flynn’s family. Monsignor blessed us with his friendship over the many years at St. Mark’s. We are heartbroken,” wrote Maureen and Rick Heilmann. We will miss his inspirational homilies, his stories about Ireland and his love of family.”
On behalf of the community of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, Father Bill Lago, pastor, wrote, “Please accept our heartfelt condolences and parish family prayers on the death of Monsignor. He was a deeply respected and beloved presence in our parish of St. Denis, Manasquan . . . whose kindness, wisdom and unwavering service touched the lives of so many. May you find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy of faith and compassion will continue to guide and inspire the community he served so faithfully.”
Chris Raimann of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, recalled Msgr. Flynn’s pastorate there, during which “he did so much for our parish community – helping the poor, feeding the hungry and just giving the best homilies of anyone.”
Bishop Duffy recalled during his homily first meeting Msgr. Flynn in September, 1970 when the two were in St. Patrick College. During their first 20 years of priesthood, Bishop Duffy said the two rarely met given their geographical distance.
However, in the last 20-25 years, “it was very different,” Bishop Duffy said. He recounted the two visits he made to the Diocese of Trenton.
“I saw for myself that Msgr. Sean was a priest who gave his total self to the people,” Bishop Duffy said.
Bishop Duffy shared that Msgr. Flynn enjoyed making visits back to Ireland. “Sean loved his own family and home was important to him,” Bishop Duffy said.
In addition to his brother, Martin, Msgr. Flynn was survived by his sister Maureen Sheridan and her husband Arthur; three other brothers, Michael and his wife, Mena; Jimmy and his wife, Margaret, and Stephen and his wife Margaret, as well as nieces and nephews.
In the Diocese of Trenton, Memorial Masses for Msgr. Flynn will be celebrated Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. in St. Mark Church, and another in St. Joseph Church, Toms River, on Jan. 6 at 6 p.m.
Bishop, Sea Girt faithful celebrate life, legacy of Msgr. Flynn