Reverend Louis R. Giardino, 67, of Huntsville died peacefully on Friday, December 23, 2016. Father Louis was the Pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville.
Father Louis was born on January 20, 1949 in Memphis, TN and his family moved to Birmingham, AL when he was a child. In 1963 Father Louis attended Saint Mary’s College and High School in Lebanon, KY; in 1969 he attended Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Covington, LA where he received a B.A.; he then attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA and received a M.Div.
Father Louis was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood on May 24, 1975 by Bishop Joseph G. Vath and served in many parishes in Birmingham and Huntsville as a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham. He was initially assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows in Homewood and then to Our Lady of Lourdes in Huffman as Associate Pastor. He was Administrator of Our Lady, Queen of the Universe and Sacred Heart in Birmingham. He was assigned Pastor of Saint Aloysius in Bessemer. In 1998 he moved to Huntsville and became the Pastor of Holy Spirit and then in 2006 he became the Pastor of Good Shepherd Church.
Father Louis also studied Canon Law at Catholic University of America in Washington DC and served in the Diocesan Tribunal as Defender of the Bond, Judge and Associate Judicial Vicar. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for the Diocese of Birmingham. Father Louis served on The Presbyteral Council, Finance Council and The College of Consultors. He was active in Engaged Encounter, taught at John Carroll Catholic High School and was a founding member of the Cursillo movement. Father Louis was instrumental in the founding of Pope Saint John Paul II Catholic High School in Huntsville and has been on its Board since the school’s inception. He also taught and served as chaplain to the School.
Father Louis loved being a priest and serving the People of God. He also enjoyed golf, Elvis, gospel music and reading.
Father Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis J. and Martha, as well as his sister, Elizabeth (Sissy). He is survived by his nephew J.R. Griffith (Nicoli) and their two children and his niece Elizabeth Griffith and her two children.
Visitation will be Monday, December 26th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville from 4pm-7pm with a Wake Service at 7pm. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, December 27th at 11am at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, in Birmingham. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Pope Saint John Paul II High School 7301 Old Madison Pike Huntsville, AL 35806.
