Father Robert R. Schulze, a priest of the Diocese of Trenton, for more than 45 years and founding director of the former diocesan Office of Jail and Prison Ministry, died Feb. 24 in his home in Browns Mills. He was 71.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Father Schulze March 14 at 11 a.m. in St. Monica Church, 679 West Veterans Highway, Jackson. Father Anthony Carotenuto, a senior priest of the Diocese, will serve as principal celebrant, and Father Ronald Cioffi, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, will be homilist.

Before the funeral Mass, friends may pay their respects at the church starting at 10 a.m.

Father Schulze was born in Trenton and was the son of the late Francis W. and Loretta Catherine (McDermott) Schulze. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles College Seminary, Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, where he was awarded a master’s degree in theology. He was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1969, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr.

As parochial vicar, he served in St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia; St. Joseph Parish, Beverly (now a prt of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside);Assumption Parish, New Egypt, and St. Monica, Jackson.

Following his parish assignments, Father Schulze embarked on 20 years of service with the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons with chaplaincy assignments to Federal Correctional  Institution, Milan, Mich., and Otisville, N.Y. Further assignments included Northeast regional director based in Philadelphia, and assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Chaplains, Washington, D.C. His final assignment prior to retirement from the Bureau was as director of the chaplaincy program at FCI Fort Dix.

Upon returning to the Trenton Diocese, Father Schulze was appointed director of the newly-established diocesan Office of Jail and Prison Ministry, a position he held from 1997 until his retirement in 2012.

Father Schulze organized the Office of Jail and Prison Ministry to serve as a resource for parishes and faithful by providing information and ministry opportunities for clergy and laity in corrections institutions in the diocese, which include county jails in Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties, juvenile facilities and the state prison in Trenton. The office directed pastoral and sacramental ministry to incarcerated men and women, provided education to prospective volunteers on the nature of the incarceration as well as the needs of prisoners and their families; recruited and trained clergy and lay volunteers; advocated for the rights of the incarcerated, and lobbied with civic and community leaders for more just and humane correctional punishment.

Following his retirement, Father Schulze’s vision for outreach to the incarcerated has continued under the auspices of the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, with Vincentian Father Martin McGeough serving as a full-time coordinator.

Father Schulze is survived by three brothers, William F. (Donna) of Mount Laurel; James L. of Stratford, and Vincent (Carol) of Tabernacle; as well as nieces and nephews.

Father Schulze was cremated and his remains will be buried with his parents in Ewing Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Father Schulze’s name may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 248 E. Chestnut Hill Rd., Suite 4, Newark, Del. 19713.