Bishop O'Connell remembers Msgr. Tofani
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., delivered the following remarks during the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated for Msgr. Richard Tofani Sept. 6 in St. Isaac Jogues Church, Marlton
We live our lives with the thought, with the belief that we have an endless supply of days. Occasions like the one that brings us together tonight are a sobering reminder that such a thought is simply not true. God is the author and creator of all life, we believe and know that. And it is God who calls us home according to his will.
"You do not know the time or the hour," the Lord Jesus reminds us three different times in St. Matthew's Gospel. The suddenness of death when it occurs makes that abundantly clear.
As we advance in age or suffer the effects of some debilitating disease, we begin to recognize our own mortality. When death is sudden and unexpected, its visit to a loved one can leave us reeling
in shock. Such was the case with our beloved Monsignor Richard Tofani. Who could have anticipated his passing so soon, at such a young age? He was a faithful priest, a much loved classmate or
brother in the Trenton presbyterate, a wonderful, kind pastor, a beloved brother to Ed and Colleen, Gerry and Barbara and an awesome uncle to their children, a dear family member and friend.
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I had the honor and privilege of working closely with him for the past three years, far too brief a time. He was my vicar for Burlington County, a trusted advisor on the
Episcopal Council, an extraordinary diocesan priest and pastor whose gentle touch reached far beyond our Diocese and its good people to the poor and needy of distant and developing countries. He did everything as a priest of our Lord Jesus, with his humility and gentleness and love. What a gift he was. What great memories he left us. What an example of how to live.
Several obituaries quoted him as saying he was "the luckiest priest in the diocese." Rick, it is the diocese who was lucky and blessed by your presence. Thank you, dear brother. Rest in peace forever.
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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., delivered the following remarks during the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated for Msgr. Richard Tofani Sept. 6 in St. Isaac Jogues Church, Marlton
We live our lives with the thought, with the belief that we have an endless supply of days. Occasions like the one that brings us together tonight are a sobering reminder that such a thought is simply not true. God is the author and creator of all life, we believe and know that. And it is God who calls us home according to his will.
"You do not know the time or the hour," the Lord Jesus reminds us three different times in St. Matthew's Gospel. The suddenness of death when it occurs makes that abundantly clear.
As we advance in age or suffer the effects of some debilitating disease, we begin to recognize our own mortality. When death is sudden and unexpected, its visit to a loved one can leave us reeling
in shock. Such was the case with our beloved Monsignor Richard Tofani. Who could have anticipated his passing so soon, at such a young age? He was a faithful priest, a much loved classmate or
brother in the Trenton presbyterate, a wonderful, kind pastor, a beloved brother to Ed and Colleen, Gerry and Barbara and an awesome uncle to their children, a dear family member and friend.
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I had the honor and privilege of working closely with him for the past three years, far too brief a time. He was my vicar for Burlington County, a trusted advisor on the
Episcopal Council, an extraordinary diocesan priest and pastor whose gentle touch reached far beyond our Diocese and its good people to the poor and needy of distant and developing countries. He did everything as a priest of our Lord Jesus, with his humility and gentleness and love. What a gift he was. What great memories he left us. What an example of how to live.
Several obituaries quoted him as saying he was "the luckiest priest in the diocese." Rick, it is the diocese who was lucky and blessed by your presence. Thank you, dear brother. Rest in peace forever.