1915 – 1999 (December 14)
Alfred Maxim Natali was born on March 9, 1915, in Genoa, Italy, to Hamilcar Salvatore Natali and Victoria Daziani, and was baptized in Genoa on April 14, 1915, in the church of St. John the Baptist. He was educated in Italy, at the Marist Brothers “School Ship Garaventa,” and at the home of Don Fassicomo. The Natali family moved to the United States in 1928. Between their arrival and 1930, Alfred attended the Pierce Public School and St. Mary of the Eternal School, Philadelphia, PA. On September 10, 1931, he began high school as a postulant at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. He proved himself an athlete in football, baseball, basketball and tennis. On September 9, 1935, he entered Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., professed simple vows on September 10, 1936, and solemn vows on September 10, 1939. In June 1940, he received his B.A. degree from Villanova College and studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, DC. On May 29, 1943, Alfred was ordained to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Chapel, Washington, DC. During the summer months he studied History, and in June 1944, earned his M.A. degree from Villanova.
On August 7, 1944, Father Natali received his first assignment to the national parish of Holy Rosary, Lawrence, Massachusetts. On September 1, 1945, he was assigned to work in Australia, as an assistant in the Cathedral of Cairns, and to minister to the Italian population, within the territory of the Irish Augustinians. He established and became pastor of St. John’s Presbytery, in Silkwood, No. Queensland. He also served in the town churches of Innisfail, Atherton, Heberton, Tully, Babinda and El-Arish. In May 1952, Father Natali returned to the United States, and assisted at St. Rita Parish, Philadelphia, In 1955, he was assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, NY, and in 1956, he assisted at St. Augustine Parish, Lawrence, MA. In 1962, he was appointed to Holy Rosary Parish, Lawrence, MA., where he served as sub-prior, pastor and treasurer. In 1972, he began caring for his mother while assisting at Augustinian and diocesan parishes in New Jersey and Philadelphia, especially in the former Good Counsel Vice Province, East Vineland, NJ. From 1985 until he became ill, he served at the parish of St. Mary Magdalen De Piazzi in Philadelphia.
Father Natali, a gifted writer, authored Venom, a mystery novel based on his Australian experiences, and Italians in America, a humorous novel describing the arrival of a boy from Italy, learning the English language. He composed lyrics and music for several songs, including these titles – Christmas Forever; Hear the Lord; A Workman’s Prayer.
Father Alfred Natali passed away on December 14, 1999, in St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia, PA, by Prior Provincial John Deegan, O.S.A. Father Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. was homilist. Interment followed in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
