Villa Vianney, first known as Villa Neumann, was dedicated by Bishop John C. Reiss in a ceremony held Oct. 18, 1995. The facility first opened its doors to seven retired priests of the diocese Nov. 1, 1995. The name was officially changed to Villa Vianney on Aug. 4, 1997, in honor of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.
With an eye to the future and the growing number of priests reaching the age of retirement, a new, 17-suite unit at Villa Vianney affording companionship and the comforts of home to an equal number of retired priests was formally blessed and dedicated June 27, 2011, by Bishop O’Connell.
Upon retirement, priests may choose to live with family, in a parish rectory, on their own, or in Villa Vianney. The Diocese, through the generosity of donors, subsidizes the rent of priests who choose to live there.
Today, when a difficult reality facing the Church is a shortage of priests, aging and retired priests of the Diocese of Trenton continue to share their gifts in parishes, hospitals and schools, live life in community and have their health and spiritual needs met in Villa Vianney, a place where the diocesan family ensures the best of care for their treasured elder clergy.
Monsignor Casimir Ladzinski shares a little of his story of entering retirement in this article from the Monitor. Monsignor Casey is one example of how our retired priests in the Diocese of Trenton continue to minister and shine the Light of Christ.
Pictured on the portico of Villa Vianney, Lawrenceville, two days into his retirement, Msgr. Casimir Ladzinski looks forward to celebrating Mass around the diocese, volunteering and taking himself out to the ballgame.
David Karas photo
Every year before Christmas, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C. M., visits priests in Villa Vianney, the Lawrenceville retirement home for priests of the Diocese of Trenton, celebrates Mass and gives an address of diocesan happenings. The gathering wraps up with dinner.
"I am always inspired to be with our retired priests on whose shoulders all our active priests stand,” Bishop O’Connell said. “To listen to their stories, to enjoy their laughter and to learn from their wisdom is very special and important to me.”