Obituary of Msgr. Leroy Braden

Rev. Msgr. Leroy H. Braden, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2009. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rockus Braden and Louise Wendel Braden; and brothers Leon and Lenard Braden. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Louise Hacker & her husband Martin, Sister Elaine Braden; brother, William Braden & his wife Connie; nephews & nieces David , James & Robert Hacker, Paul & Eddie Braden, and Theresa & Barbara Powell. The family would like to thank Msgr. Braden’s good friend and caretaker Mary Marks. Msgr. Braden was born on August 5, 1926 in Mentz, Texas. His family moved to Wharton County when he was seven and he attended Jones Creek School. In 1943 he graduated from Crescent High School. Msgr. Braden entered St. Mary’s Seminary in La Porte in 1946 and was ordained a priest there by Bishop Wendelin J. Nold on May 30, 1953. The next day, he celebrated his first Solemn Mass at St. Philip Catholic Church in El Campo, Texas. Msgr. Braden’s assignments as Assistant Pastor were at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Galveston, St. Christopher Catholic Church and Corpus Christi Catholic Church, both in Houston, Texas. As Pastor, his past parishes include St. Mary Catholic Church in Plantersville, with a mission church at St. Joseph’s in Stoneham, Texas, St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Christopher Catholic Church, both in Houston, Texas. In June 1984, he became the pastor of St. Helen Catholic Church in Pearland, Texas. In recognition of his outstanding priestly ministry, Msgr. Braden was made an Honorary Prelate with a title of Monsignor by Pope John Paul I on December 5, 1978. Besides his parish ministry, Msgr. Braden was also active in Engaged and Marriage Encounter, Seafarers Center, Chaplain of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Knights of Columbus, Alhambra, and Catholic Life Insurance Union. He was a charter member of the Pearland Ministerial Alliance. He has also served as Dean of the Southeast Deanery and a member of Personnel Board and Priest Senate of the diocese. Visitation for Msgr. Braden will be held on Monday, July 27, 2009 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the Rosary being recited at 7:00 pm, at St. Helen Catholic Church in Pearland. Msgr. Reginald R. Nesvadba will be presiding. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 am at St. Helen Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza will be presiding. A meal will follow the Mass in Helena Hall. Interment is at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Helen Catholic School, 2213 Old Alvin, Pearland, TX 77581, 281-485-2845.