Father Robert Mendonca Obituary

Father Robert Mendonca dies Oct. 1

Father Robert Mendonca, retired priest of the Diocese of Oakland, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, Oct. 1, 2023. His love of the priesthood and his congregations ran deep as evidenced by the mutual love he shared with so many.

Father Bob served within many parish communities, including Holy Spirit, Fremont; St. Charles, Livermore; St. Michael, Livermore; and St. Raymond, Dublin.

Father Mendonca was preceded in death by his wife Lori. They shared 24 happy years together, tempered by his wife’s long-term illness, lupus erythematosus.

After her untimely death, Father Mendonca entered St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. Before he entered the seminary, Father Mendonca worked as a public school teacher at Alvarado Middle School in Union City and as a private music teacher, music minister, radio announcer, and more. Those gifts and skills were quickly identified by the seminary leadership and soon Father Mendonca began balancing his studies with the many duties of director of music ministries for the seminary.

Colleagues have relayed that they “remembered how much he loved music and technology and was such a giving and kind man.” Those qualities of a giving, kind and servant’s heart remained with him until the very end.

In the early 1970s, Father Mendonca became a member of the Charismatic Renewal. In 2018. Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ appointed Father Mendonca as director of English-Speaking Catholic Charismatics for the Diocese of Oakland. Father Mendonca also enjoyed working with his brothers and sisters as a ranking member of the Northern California Renewal Coalition. He also has served as a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.

Father Mendonca loved his ministries and true to every homily, he would always conclude with what he would say to us if he were here right now: “May God richly bless you this day."
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Vigil will be 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 with the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9 at St. Raymond Church in Dublin. A reception will follow the Mass.

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Thank you to The Catholic Voice for this submission.