Our C at/10/ic I I eritage in. Texas
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practice of these virtues inspire sacrifices on behalf of others who have not the same opportunities. "The Catholic Christian," said Bishop Kelley, "has a double work to do. He has to save himself, and to help save others as well." He and the Archbishop concluded that a developed church is a church of missions, one that takes an active interest in the spread of the Faith and the support of missionaries throughout the world. It was with this idea in mind that the Society sponsored the first American Catholic Missionary Congress, which was held in Chicago, November 15-18, 1908. "No event in the history of the Church Extension movement stands out more than the first American Missionary Congress," asserted Bishop Kelley years later. Every missionary society in the United States and Canada was invited to send representatives. The response was most gratifying. In recording its effect, Bishop Kelley said, "Every missionary society felt the thrill of a new life. New resources came to their aid. The Congress gave instruction and inspira- tion. It did something more, for it laid the foundation for a greater movement in the future." A second Congress was held in Boston October 19-22, 1914, under the auspices of the Society. William Cardinal O'Connell, Apostolic Dele- gate Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, six archbishops, and about fifty bishops lent their approval to the purposes of this Second Congress. It proved larger than the first and even more productive of good. Day after day the people flocked to hear the discussions and gain inspiration. The Church in America was slowly awakening to a full realization of its responsibilities. We can do no better in summanzmg the significance of the first two Catholic missionary congresses in the United States than to cite the estimate of Bishop Kelley. "The two congresses were the first great national effort in America to exalt the spirit of personal sacrifice for the spread of the gospel of Christ.... They pointed out that the great object was being dimmed to the sight in the far distances. They made Catholic America think.... Hard truths were told, but not ungently. Hard duties were outlined. Hard sacrifices were asked for. The two congresses marked the turning of American Catholics to face a world- wide task, even before they realized how great that task might be."" Aid to Texas 1930-1947. In the years since the Silver Jubilee of the Catholic Church Extension Society, Texas has continued to be one of the chief beneficiaries, for the needs of the Southwest States increased as , l 44 Kelley, The Siar,, of E:rtmsio11, I 49-1 53. I I I ' I
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