It was a time for saying “Thank You” as well as to relax and share fellowship when Bishop O’Connell, C.M., hosted a luncheon for retired priests of the diocese in his residence in Lawrence June 29.

The gathering, which was organized by Msgr. Edward Strano, brought together 27 retired priests.

While most of the senior priests reside in Villa Vianney, the diocesan facility for retired priests in Lawrenceville and there are some who choose to live in private residences, Bishop O’Connell made special mention of how heartening it was to have the presence of one priest, who is in his 90s, travel from Washington, D.C., just for the occasion.

Bishop O’Connell spoke of how much he enjoyed spending some quality time with each of the retired priests and to personally thank them for their many years of devoted service to the Diocese of Trenton.

“It is so important to let our retired priests know that they are still an important part of the Diocese and that we are all in their debt,” said Bishop O’Connell. “It gives me such great joy to be able to thank them for their love and hard work for all of us, to hear their stories and to see how much their parishioners still mean to them.  To be able to gather them together and just be with them is so wonderful.  We can never forget their ministry and service.”

Other priests from the diocese who were on hand included Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar of clergy and consecrated life; Msgr. John K. Dermond, diocesan judicial vicar, and Father Jeffrey Lee, episcopal vicar of Mercer County and pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton.