Retired Bishop John C. Reiss, 89, eighth bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, died Sunday, March 4, at Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, N.J.
He was the only priest born in the Trenton Diocese, which includes Burlington County, to serve as both auxiliary bishop and bishop.
"Bishop Reiss was well known for his compassion and personal acts of kindness to so many people in the diocese," said Bishop David M. O'Connell, current leader of the diocese.
Born one of 11 children in Red Bank, Bishop Reiss studied for the priesthood at Catholic University of America before entering Immaculate Conception Seminary in 1941. He was ordained a priest in 1947 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Trenton.
In 1980, Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop, a position he kept until 1997, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Services will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 151 N. Warren St., Trenton. The Rite of Reception of the Body will be celebrated at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 8, followed by a public viewing. The Mass in Honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ the High Priest will be said at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11 a.m., Friday, March 9, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery, Trenton.
