Dear friends and members of the faith,
We gather here in the comforting embrace of San Camillus Chapel to remember and honor the memory of Father Albert Schempp, known to us all as Fr. Albie. From the dawn of his life on November 25, 1948, in the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, to his peaceful passing on January 25, 2024, Fr. Albie's journey has been one of unwavering faith, boundless love, and the manifestation of divine mercy.
Fr. Albie's calling to the service of the Lord testified to his profound belief in God's path for him. His dedication saw him joining the Order of St. Camillus in Milwaukee, shaping his life around the charism of caring for the sick, the afflicted, the elderly, and those walking in the shadow of pain. He embraced his novitiate, consecrating himself to God with his first temporary profession of vows in the San Camillo Chapel on October 5, 2001. He lived his commitment through successive renewals and finally in unwavering promise during his final profession on September 25, 2004.
As a member of the order and an already-ordained Deacon, his ordination to the Priesthood on December 4, 2004, here in this chapel, marked a personal milestone and a blessing to all he would touch with his ministry. For a decade, Fr. Albie's service as a Chaplain at St. Camillus Campus was a source of comfort and light to all the residents and team members, echoing across the community.
His return to Pittsburgh was not just returning to his roots but a broader extension of his mission — a Hospital Chaplain amongst the frail, offering comfort and peaceful surrender to the higher call. Fr. Albie's ministry was his testimony, lived aloud in acts of kindness, gestures of hospitality, and the profound mercy he extended to every life graced by his presence.
Fr. Albie's outgoing personality, which always embraced the spread of joy, allowed him to leave an indelible mark on the fabric of our community. He touched hearts and healed spirits not just with words but with the quiet strength of his faith, the warmth of his smile, and the constancy of his devotion.
As he wished, Fr. Albie was laid to rest alongside his mother at the Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA, surrounded by the history and community he loved dearly. His resting place testifies to his lasting connection with his roots and familial bonds.
The Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, January 29, 2024, was graced by the presence of two Camillian priests, Fathers Joseph and I, the auxiliary bishop, deacons, numerous diocesan priests, and the faithful lay people, which stands as a powerful testimonial of the impact of Fr. Albie's ministry. Though read by the auxiliary bishop, the archbishop's words resonated within the hearts of all of us, invoking the essence of Fr. Albie's life – that it was marked by mercy. From such mercy did indeed flow his inexhaustible hospitality and kindness.
Fr. Albie's life was a beacon of God's love in a unique way for the sick and the elderly. His legacy will continue to live on through each person he has met, each life he has touched, and through the continued acts of mercy each of us can offer in tribute to his memory.
As we remember and honor the memory of our dear Fr. Albie, let this not be a goodbye but a prayerful whisper into the winds of eternity, where he now finds his peace and reward. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Thank you, Fr. Albie, for embodying the Good Shepherd's spirit and showing us the profound depth of mercy, hospitality, and kindness. Your light will continue to illuminate our paths, and your lessons of love will forever guide our ways.