May 27, 1941
Father Alexander J. Bellezza
Father Alexander Bellezza was born on July 11, 1911 in Freeland, PA. After attending grade, high school, and college in Freeland, he entered St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, PA to begin his seminary studies. Following his major seminary studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD, he was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita on May 22, 1937 in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. His first three assignments were as an assistant at St. Mary’s Parish, Pittsburg; pastor of Liberty and chaplain of Mercy Hospital in Independence; and assistant at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Wichita. In 1937 he took a six-month sick leave and was then made pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Caney with Cedarvale as a mission. “The young priest, handicapped by poor health—a fact not generally known to his brother priests—was conscientious in the performance of his priestly duties.” (The Advance Register, May 30, 1941) The article also noted that “his personality gave evidence of a cultured Italian background.” Bishop Winkelmann offered a Pontifical Requiem Mass at the cathedral on May 29, 1941 and burial was in his hometown of Freeland, PA.