Whether it was in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro, or in St. Hedwig Church, Trenton, a flood of heartfelt sentiments were shared by the many who gathered to commemorate the life of Msgr. Henry S. Bogdan, who died July 18 at age 86.

A priest of the Diocese of Trenton for more than 62 years, Msgr. Bogdan was most remembered as being the beloved longtime pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, where he served from 1968 until his retirement in 1994.

A vigil Mass of Jesus the High Priest was held in Corpus Christi Church the evening of July 22, with Father Stanley P. Lukaszewski, pastor of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, as principal celebrant and homilist.

The following day, July 23, a Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Hedwig Church, Trenton, Msgr. Bogdan’s home parish, with Bishop John M. Smith as principal celebrant, and Msgr. Edward J. Arnister, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, Trenton, as homilist.

Father Lukaszewski, in his homily, told of how he first came to know Msgr. Bogdan when Msgr. Bogdan was assigned as associate pastor of then-Holy Cross Parish, Trenton, which is Father Lukaszewski’s home parish. Father Lukaszewski, who was a young boy at the time, had opportunities to serve Mass with Msgr. Bogdan as an altar server.

“For over 62 years as a priest, Msgr. Bogdan has been building Church,” said Father Lukaszewski, who recounted highlights of Msgr. Bogdan’s priestly career since his March 13, 1948, ordination. He was associate pastor in: St. Mary Parish, South River; Holy Cross Parish, Trenton; St. Stephen Parish, South Amboy, and Holy Family Parish, Carteret, where he was also administrator. His first and only pastorate was in Corpus Christi and there were various other diocesan responsibilities.

As “only fate would have it,” Father Lukaszewski said that he and Msgr. Bogdan worked together in Corpus Christi during the more than five years Father Lukaszewski was parochial vicar from 1988 to 1994.

Following Msgr. Bogdan’s retirement, Father Lukaszewski succeeded him as pastor. “Throughout those years, we got to know each other and we worked well with each other,” said Father Lukaszewski, adding that even when he was transferred to St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, as pastor in 1999, Msgr. Bogdan would visit him frequently, especially since he enjoyed the shore.

“We all know what a huge difference a priest can make to a parish community,” Father Lukaszewski said of Msgr. Bogdan.

“There was no doubt that Msgr. Bogdan had a very big heart to love. He was always ready to walk with people in their struggles, in their sorrows and in their joys. He was truly a sign of hope, stability and joy,” said Father Lukaszewski.

“Msgr. Bogdan had truly shown his service to God’s people,” said Father Lukaszewski. “He was truly a gift to us is so many ways.”

Among others who shared happy memories of Msgr. Bogdan was Franciscan Sister Robert Marie Green.

Sister Robert Marie, who was principal of Corpus Christi School from 1981 to 1996, and now serves as pastoral associate for the parish, remembered Msgr. Bogdan as being an “excellent administrator and a very good spiritual leader.”

Sister Robert Marie recalled Msgr. Bogdan’s vibrant homilies and celebrations, especially those to commemorate holidays and seasons.

The Masses Msgr. Bogdan celebrated for children were also memorable, Sister Robert Marie said. She noted how during his homilies he had a special “magic trick” he would perform. Whatever theme he was speaking on, such as God’s love, for example, he would write it down on a slip of paper. Then as he would talk to the children, he would tear up the paper, but then somehow, he would have it “magically reappear.”

“He just had a nice way of making his point,” she said. “He had a way of making his liturgies very special.”

Sister Robert Marie spoke of Msgr. Bogdan’s quiet, compassionate and unassuming nature, especially when it came time to helping others.

“There were a lot of acts of kindness that he made that many people were not aware of,” she said. She recalled his helping one person to get a job and there were many Saturday evenings she would accompany him to the hospital and together they would visit with the patients.

Given Msgr. Bogdan’s 27-year tenure at Corpus Christi, Sister Robert Marie said that “a lot of people got to know him very closely.”

“I think sometimes that’s the benefit of having someone staying in a parish for so long,” she said. “People got to know their pastor and the pastor got to know his people.”