Albert G. Belda Confrere Files

From his obituary: Rev. Albert G. Belda, CSV, died on Sunday, August 9, 1987. Father Belda died at the age of 67. Al Belda was born in Chicago on February 4, 1920.  He graduated from St. Leo High School in June of 1936 and entered the Viatorian Novitiate in September of 1939.  He pronounced his First Vows on September 20, 1940 and then attended St. Ambrose College, Illinois State University and DePaul University, where he received his B.A. in Philosophy.  After graduation, Al began his theological studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, CO.  He was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 1947. After his ordination, Fr. Al began his ministry in high school work.  He served at St. Patrick High School in Kankakee, St. Thomas Home in Savannah, GA and at St. Gregory High School in Chicago. From 1954-1956, Al served as a Chaplain in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Al spent several years serving in a number of Viatorian parishes – Maternity B.V.M. in Bourbonnais, St. Mary’s in Beaverville and St. Martin’s in Martinton.  From 1961 to 1965 he served as chaplain at the T.B. Sanitarium in Chicago. Al continued his pastoral ministry for eight years at St. Viator Parish in Chicago where he served as Associate Pastor.  In 1974, Father Al began nine years of service to the Church of South Dakota.  He served as Pastor of St. Peter’s in Farmer, St. Patrick’s in Cavour and St. Anthony’s in Selby – all in South Dakota. In 1983, Al retired to the Province Center.  In early February of this year Al suffered a serious stroke and had been hospitalized until the time of his death. Visitation was held at St. Viator Church in Chicago on Tuesday, August 11, 1987 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  A wake service was held at 7:30 p.m.  A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, August 12, 1987 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Viator. Burial was with the Community at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. Fr. Belda is survived by two brothers: Bertrand of Shaker Heights, OH and Clement of Crystal Lake, IL.  Please include Al in your prayers and gather together in local communities to remember him at Eucharist. Taken from letter to the Viatorian Community on August 10, 1987 from the Provincial, Rev. Patrick W. Render, CSV

Note written by Rev. Patrick W. Render, CSV