Fr. Robert Mendonca, retired Diocese of Oakland priest, passed away peacefully early Monday morning, October 2, 2023. His love of the priesthood and his congregations ran deep as evidenced by the mutal love he shared with so many. Fr. Bob served within many parish communities including, Holy Spirit, Fremont, St. Charles, Livermore, St. Michael’s, Livermore, and St. Raymond’s, Dublin. Fr. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Lori. Fr. Bob and Lori shared 24 happy years together tempered by his wife’s long-term illness, lupus erythematosus. After her untimely death, Fr. Bob entered St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park and soon began balancing his studies with his many duties as Director of Music Ministries.

In his earlier years, Fr. Bob worked as a private music teacher, music minister, radio announcer, and more. Before he entered the Seminary, he worked as a public school teacher at Alvarado Middle School in Union City.  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 1970’s, Fr. Bob became a member of the Charismatic Renewal. In 2018, Bishop Michael Barber appointed Fr. Bob as director of English Speaking Catholic Charismatics for the Diocese of Oakland. Fr. Bob 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.

Fr. Bob 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”.