Dear Friends of the Divine Mercy Retreat Center & Family Camp,
As many of you know, we have important news. . .
With very sad hearts but with joyful souls, we share that our long time Spiritual Director, holy priest and great friend of Jesus, Fr. Roy Oggero, CSB, passed on to the Lord at age 91 last month in July. Fr. Roy has received his heavenly reward and we fully trust that he is dancing before The Lord and is counted among the Saints!
Fr. Roy is the only original member of the Divine Mercy Retreat Center leadership along with David and Andrea Barta who faithfully served and persevered on our Board of Directors since its founding – nearly 8 years of faithfulness and dedication to this holy endeavor. Fr. Roy was in constant discernment and prayer for the mission and its many visitors, campers and retreatants. Fr. Roy always wanted to know, “How did the retreat go?” or “How did the kids do?” After hearing the update, Fr. would always respond with, “Praise God!”
Like us, Fr. Roy was amazed and deeply grateful to Our Lord for bringing both Catholic and Protestant Christians, Mormons, Jewish people, Muslims and even atheists to this place! We were all blessed to witness God’s glory manifested in all peoples ~ and, Fr. Roy’s faithfulness and trust in Jesus is a testament to so many graces being poured out upon so many souls who never even knew of his countless prayers and sacrifices for them!
You’ve heard it said before and it remains true. . . There’s never been someone like Fr. Roy and there will never be another. We can only imagine St. Therese, the Little Flower, St. Michael, the Archangel, St. Basil, St. Pio, St. Faustina, St. John Paul II and St. John Vianney all welcoming their brother, Fr. Roy, home into the arms of Jesus and Mary. What a glorious sight that must have been! Praise God!
We thank you, Fr. Roy, for loving all of us so well – for teaching us to love and trust in Jesus so well – for your 62 years of faithful service to your vocation of the holy priesthood – and for truly being another Christ to each and every person you met. Well done, good and faithful servant! May you rest in the peace of God and on the bosom of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We love you and miss you, Fr. Roy, but will see you again! Pray for us!
We love you, Lord Jesus, and thank you for the gift of your faithful son, Fr. Roy!
Jesus, I trust in You!
~ David and Andrea Barta
Founding Family and Directors of the Divine Mercy Retreat Center
