Msgr. Richard L. Tofani, episcopal vicar, pastor, diocesan missions director
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Following his college graduation, he took a job with Ford Motor Company as a district sales analyst. While still at Ford, he heard and answered the call to the priesthood, and began studies in Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he was awarded a master of divinity degree in theology and a master’s degree in sacred Scripture.
Msgr. Tofani served in Holy Name Parish, Delran, during his transitional diaconate year, and was ordained a priest May 19, 1979, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Following his ordination, Msgr. Tofani returned to Holy Name Parish as parochial vicar, followed by assignments in Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Hamilton, and St. Michael Parish, Trenton.
In 1986, Msgr. Tofani was named to his first pastorate in Blessed Sacrament Parish (now Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish), Trenton, where he remained for eight years before being named administrator of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport. He was appointed pastor there in December, 2005.
Msgr. Tofani was named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness in 1997, and episcopal vicar for Burlington County in 2006 and 2010. In his office as episcopal vicar, Msgr. Tofani represented the diocesan bishop to the pastors, people, parishes and institutions in that particular county. He brought the concerns of the bishop to the people and was always sensitive to the needs of the people in that county.
In 2011, Bishop O’Connell appointed Msgr. Tofani a member of the newly formed Episcopal Council for Clergy Personnel.
As diocesan director of missions, Msgr. Tofani and his staff sponsored several annual events, namely the Mission Reach-Outs for grammar school and high school students. Reflecting on the goal of the Mission Reach-Outs, Msgr. Tofani once said that they were “intended to help students grow in their awareness of how to be better missionaries, better ambassadors of Jesus Christ in their own schools, parishes and local communities.”
“You are missionaries for Christ and I am proud and honored to be a missionary with you,” said Msgr. Tofani, during the annual Mission Reach-Out held in October, 2011, in St. Aloysius School, Jackson.
Each year, Msgr. Tofani also had the privilege of representing the diocese during travels to mission territories throughout the world. The lengthy list of countries in which he had visited and shared ministry with their people included Sudan, Mozambique, Benin, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mongolia, Kenya, China and Haiti.
Msgr. Tofani had also written numerous reflections and feature stories on his mission experiences for The Monitor, many of which were recognized with awards by the National Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Msgr. Tofani’s latest work was honored during the 2013 Catholic Media Convention for his writing on mission work in the Western African country of Benin.
Throughout his life, Msgr. Tofani was an avid cyclist who regularly participated in the 500-mile Anchor House Ride for Runaways, making his 21st ride this year and saying that he was happy to participate “in anything to help do our part to prevent what I think is one of the greatest evils in our culture – child abuse and the neglect of children.”
Msgr. Tofani is survived by his two brothers, Edward (Colleen) and Gerald (Barbara) as well as nine nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wyoming, Pa.
Memorial donations may be made to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Anchor House Foundation or Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. All donations should be mailed to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish,1603 Marne Highway, Hainesport, N.J. 08063.
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Following his college graduation, he took a job with Ford Motor Company as a district sales analyst. While still at Ford, he heard and answered the call to the priesthood, and began studies in Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he was awarded a master of divinity degree in theology and a master’s degree in sacred Scripture.
Msgr. Tofani served in Holy Name Parish, Delran, during his transitional diaconate year, and was ordained a priest May 19, 1979, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Following his ordination, Msgr. Tofani returned to Holy Name Parish as parochial vicar, followed by assignments in Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Hamilton, and St. Michael Parish, Trenton.
In 1986, Msgr. Tofani was named to his first pastorate in Blessed Sacrament Parish (now Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish), Trenton, where he remained for eight years before being named administrator of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport. He was appointed pastor there in December, 2005.
Msgr. Tofani was named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness in 1997, and episcopal vicar for Burlington County in 2006 and 2010. In his office as episcopal vicar, Msgr. Tofani represented the diocesan bishop to the pastors, people, parishes and institutions in that particular county. He brought the concerns of the bishop to the people and was always sensitive to the needs of the people in that county.
In 2011, Bishop O’Connell appointed Msgr. Tofani a member of the newly formed Episcopal Council for Clergy Personnel.
As diocesan director of missions, Msgr. Tofani and his staff sponsored several annual events, namely the Mission Reach-Outs for grammar school and high school students. Reflecting on the goal of the Mission Reach-Outs, Msgr. Tofani once said that they were “intended to help students grow in their awareness of how to be better missionaries, better ambassadors of Jesus Christ in their own schools, parishes and local communities.”
“You are missionaries for Christ and I am proud and honored to be a missionary with you,” said Msgr. Tofani, during the annual Mission Reach-Out held in October, 2011, in St. Aloysius School, Jackson.
Each year, Msgr. Tofani also had the privilege of representing the diocese during travels to mission territories throughout the world. The lengthy list of countries in which he had visited and shared ministry with their people included Sudan, Mozambique, Benin, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mongolia, Kenya, China and Haiti.
Msgr. Tofani had also written numerous reflections and feature stories on his mission experiences for The Monitor, many of which were recognized with awards by the National Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Msgr. Tofani’s latest work was honored during the 2013 Catholic Media Convention for his writing on mission work in the Western African country of Benin.
Throughout his life, Msgr. Tofani was an avid cyclist who regularly participated in the 500-mile Anchor House Ride for Runaways, making his 21st ride this year and saying that he was happy to participate “in anything to help do our part to prevent what I think is one of the greatest evils in our culture – child abuse and the neglect of children.”
Msgr. Tofani is survived by his two brothers, Edward (Colleen) and Gerald (Barbara) as well as nine nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wyoming, Pa.
Memorial donations may be made to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Anchor House Foundation or Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. All donations should be mailed to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish,1603 Marne Highway, Hainesport, N.J. 08063.
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