Religious Com1111mitics of ,lieu i11 Texas
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t-xplaining the teachings of the Church to non-Catholics, had sponsored the caring of Catholic students in state colleges and universities. As Father Searle explained to the Bishop, it was also his hope to have charge of a parish in connection with the work with University students.<>& The proposal of Father Searle was welcomed by Bishop Gallagher, who raised some questions as to how the plan could be carried out. Father Searle replied 1hat the Paulists at Winchester, Tennessee, would call upon him to discuss the matter further. In the meantime the Bishop consulted the diocesan advisers and found them to be in accord with the proposal. The only ques- tion remaining was whether the Holy Cross Fathers, out of whose St. Mary's Parish a new one would have to be carved for the Paulists, had any objections to the plan. While matters were at this stage, Father Searle informed the Bishop on August 5, 1907, that a new offer to locate in another diocese had come, and that since there were not enough Fathers to take care of more than one new house, he desired to know the wishes of the Bishop in the matter as soon as possible. The Fathers of the Holy Cross had gladly given their consent to the establishment of the new parish, and had been most courteous to Fathers Searle and Smith, C.S.P., during their visit in Austin. Father O'Keefe, C.S.C., had shown them the limits of St. Mary's parish and dis- tussed its partition subject to final approval. The Paulists had selected for the location of the contemplated new parish church, a lot on Guadalupe Street, opposite the southwest corner of the University campus. Upon being informed of these facts, a formal invitation was issued to them by Bishop Gallagher. "I have had in mind," said the Bishop, "not only the spiritual needs of our growing Capital City, but two objects of yet wider importance. These are, first, that your Fathers may make, with the blessing of God, their house a center of missionary activity for Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the Southwest, and especially in the Diocese of Galveston. But my main and particular object is that your Fathers may exercise a special care and supervision over a very choice portion of our people, the young men and women who are students in the State University." He then added, "No class of Catholics needs or deserves all the zeal and enlightened interests which the clergy can bestow, more than those who in their youth are far from the healthful environment of their Catholic homes and friends." 65 "George M. Searle, C.S.P., to Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher, of Galveston, May :2, 1907, C. A. T. 65 Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher to Very Reverend George M. Searle, C.S.P., Superior General, 1 008, C. A. T.
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