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Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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In spite of the war, immigration seemed to the worried Vicar Apos- tolic to have increased. Although the facts show that the total number of immigrants had fallen, there was a much larger proportion of Cath- olics among the newcomers. The recent arrivals came from Bremen, Antwerp, and Strassburg. Many of these were going west, to Bexar, and the new settlements of Empresario Castro. It was the intention of Odin to visit the San Antonio district again in company with Father Oge, who was to organize and look after the new settlers. As soon as Collins came, he planned to leave Oge in charge of the settlements on the Colorado and let Father Schneider take care of the Galveston and Houston area. 54 Not until April, 1844, was Timon able to keep his promise of establishing a Vincentian house in Galveston. After much thought be decided to send Father Joseph Paquin, forty-four, an old friend and companion of Odin, instead of Collins, whose temperament and health did not suit him for service in Texas. Paquin had been superior at the Barrens ever since Timon had become Visitor. His administrative experience fitted him admirably for the dual job of vicar-general and superior of the new Vincentian house in Galveston. He knew English and was just the man Odin needed, one capable of shouldering respon- sibility during the absence or illness of the Vicar. With him Timon sent Father John Brands, forty-six, a native of Holland, who, having been in America for fifteen years and having worked at Cape Girardeau, knew English and understood the American pioneer well. The two Vin- centians set out from Missouri early in April and were in Galveston on May 11, 1844. 55 They brought not only personal regards from the Visitor but also $2,000.00 (10,000 francs), the balance of the funds allocated to the Texas Mission by St. Lazare out of the funds from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Odin's plans for 1844. Renewed interest in Texas brought a steady stream of immigrants from Europe and America in spite of Mexican hostilities and frontier privations. Many of these were Catholic. Odin felt the need of enlarging the totally inadequate house of worship in Galveston. His desire to provide educational facilities, particularly for girls, made him feel keenly the absence of a convent school. Equally great was the need for more priests. He longed to go to Europe to re- WQdin to Timon, December 31, 1843; Odin to Etienne January 12, 1844; Odin to Blanc, January 8, 1844 1 C. A. T. · 55 0din in his Diary entered a note under date of May 11, 1 844 : "Messrs. Paquin and Brands arrived at Galveston."
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