Msgr. Steve Testa passes away
During his 59 years of ministry in Central Louisiana, Msgr. Testa served first as a parochial vicar in four assignments in Alexandria and Shreveport before serving the Diocese as Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor; Director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith: Vicar Forane; Vicar for Retired Priests; Defender of the Bond and Ecclesiastical Notary. He served as a member of the Priests’ Personnel Board, the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors as well as the Diocesan Finance Council. He also served as a delegate to the Louisiana Interchurch Conference. He was named a Prelate of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II on November 29, 1978.
Monsignor Testa was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Alexandria in 1984 where he served until his appointment as pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Bunkie in 1993.
Msgr. Testa served as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Marksville from 2002 until his appointment as pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Bordelonville in 2005. Msgr. Testa retired from active ministry in 2014 but generously made himself available to serve his brother priests across the diocese. Msgr. Testa continued to actively serve on the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors until his death. His steadfast faith, his wisdom, his calm clarity of thought and discernment and his collection of anecdotes will be greatly missed.
Msgr. Testa is preceded in death by his parents, Sam Testa and Jennie Bohrer Testa, his sister, Sophia Testa Chestovich; and brother, Samuel Testa.
Msgr. Testa is survived by his nephews and their families: Steven, Sammy (Donna), Mike (Angela), Mark (Adele); five great and eleven great-great nieces and nephews. Nicholas Chestovich, Dominick Chestovich, Cody Chestovich, Kes Chestovich Gage LoCicero, and Levi LoCicero, will serve as pall bearers together with priests of the diocese.
Visitation will be held at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria on Wednesday, December 27th from 2pm till 7pm. A Vigil for the Deceased, including the Office for the Dead and Rosary, will be at 5:30pm.
Visitation will resume at the Cathedral at 8am on Thursday December 28th until 10am.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr. with the priests of the diocese as concelebrants at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria on Thursday, December 28th at 10am.
Interment will follow at the Priests’ Cemetery at Maryhill.
In lieu of flowers donations made be made to the Priests’ Retirement Fund: St. Joseph’s Catholic Center, 4400 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303.