Funeral arrangements for Msgr. Richard L. Tofani, a priest of the diocese for 34 years and episcopal vicar of Burlington County, have been announced.

Visiting hours will be held Sept. 5 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 1603 Marne Highway, Hainesport. The following day, Sept. 6, the Rite of Reception of the Body will begin at 2 p.m. in St. Isaac Jogues Church, 349 Evesboro-Medford Rd., Marlton, with calling hours continuing until 6:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7 p.m. with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., presiding.

Msgr. Tofani, who died Aug. 29 while vacationing in Florida, was also pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, and diocesan director of missions.

In a message of sympathy to the parish community of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bishop O’Connell said: “As your Bishop, I write to express my heartfelt sympathies and prayerful support to you at this sad time. Your loss is a profound one for you and for all of us in the Diocese of Trenton.”

Bishop O’Connell’s message continued: “‘Father Rick’ was a good and kind man and a wonderful priest and pastor who loved this parish and all of you very much….Although far too young to leave us, ‘Father Rick’ lived his life faithfully, fully and joyfully for the Lord and his people.”

Msgr. Tofani was born in 1951 in Oak Park, Ill. He was one of three sons born to Leo and Irma Tofani, now deceased. Msgr. Tofani moved with his family to New Jersey and joined St. Peter Parish, Riverside, which is now part of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside. He attended St. Peter School, Riverside, and Holy Cross High School, Delran.

Msgr. Tofani graduated from St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1973. 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, Mercerville, and St. Michael Parish, Trenton.

In 1986, Msgr. Tofani was appointed diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and Holy Childhood Association, a position he continued to hold as diocesan director of missions, until his death.

In 1984, 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 in 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 for Burlington County, 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 for 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 to the West 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 two brothers, Edward (Colleen) and Gerald (Barbara) as well as nine nieces and nephews.

Burial will be private 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. 08036.




To read Msgr. Tofani's reflection on Mozambique, click HERE and HERE.

Msgr. Tofani shares about his time in Benin. Click HERE.

Msgr. Tofani traveled to Zimbabwe in 2011. Click HERE to read his two-part series.