Father Raymond “Ray” Moeggenberg, 92, a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw, died on Dec. 20, 2022. He celebrated 65 years of priestly ministry last year.
Father Ray was born on Feb. 25, 1930, in Shepherd Mich. He is the son of the late August and Gertrude (Vorderlandwehr) Moeggenberg. He attended Allen School in Gratiot County, Mich. He received his secondary education at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids.
Father Moeggenberg continued his priestly formation at St. Joseph Seminary and Séminaire de Philosophie in Montreal, Canada, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy, and at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Mich., where he graduated with a degree in theology.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1956 by Bishop Allen Babcock at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Grand Rapids as a priest of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and incardinated into the Diocese of Saginaw due to diocesan restructuring on July 20, 1971.
Father Moeggenberg served as pastor at St. Edward, Lake Odessa; St. Cyril, Nashville; St. Athanasius, Harrison and Our Lady Help of Christians, Saginaw.
Father Moeggenberg became a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw on Aug. 1, 2000 and continued to serve as sacramental minister at St. Philip Neri, Coleman; St. Anne, Edenville; St. Cecilia, Clare; St. Henry, Rosebush; St. Charles, Leaton; St. Michael, Wilmot; and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bay City, where he celebrated the Mass and sacraments in Spanish for parishioners. He also ministered as chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw. Father Moeggenberg loved sports and enjoyed water skiing, handball, and golf in his younger years.
Father Moeggenberg is survived by five siblings: John Moeggenberg of Traverse City; Rose Moeggenberg of Midland; Jim (Sue) Moeggenberg of Midland; George (Sue) Moeggenberg of Fort Myers, Fla.; and David (Jean) Moeggenberg of Midland. Also surviving are 86 nieces and nephews and numerous Yeoman extended family. Father Moeggenberg was preceded by seven siblings: Paulina (Henry) Wilberding; Mary (Frank) Wilberding; Vincent (Hester) Moeggenberg; Marcella (Edward) Schaeffer; Cletus (Elsie) Moeggenberg; Paul (Elanore) Moeggenberg; and Florence (Bill) Frayer.
Visitation and funeral
Visitation will take place on Thursday, December 22 from noon until 4 p.m., at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave., in Saginaw. A Vigil for the Deceased, led by Father Jose Cabrera, will begin at 4 p.m.
The funeral Mass for Father Moeggenberg will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Shepherd, 168 E. Wright Ave., Shepherd, Mich, 48883. Bishop Robert Gruss will preside, and Father Fred Kawka will be the homilist. Burial will follow.
Memorials may be made on behalf of Father Moeggenberg to the Catholic Parish of your choice. May Father Moeggenberg rest in eternal peace. Please remember him in your prayers.