Our Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
The solicitude of Bishop Gallagher was stimulated by the encyclical of Pope Pius X, A cerbo nimis, in which the Pontiff recommended that wher- ever Catholic students were found in attendance at State schools, special provision should be made for the safeguarding of their faith. 66 The Paulist Fathers arrived in Austin on September 7, 1908. They came especially to look after the spiritual needs of the Catholic students at the State University, a type of work that was their specialty. In accord with their wishes, a new parish, including mostly the University neigh- borhood, was set up and placed under their care. Three lots were purchased on the comer of Guadalupe and 21st Streets, on one of which a chapel was built at a cost of over $10,000.00. This chapel, familiarly known as St. Austin's, was dedicated to St. Augustine of Canterbury and served both the students and parishioners within the vicinity of the University. At the same time, they began plans for a three-story brick building. The lower floor of the projected club building was to be used as the meeting hall for the Newman Club; in the second floor were to be the chaplain's office, a classroom, and a library; in the third floor were to be the living quarters of the chaplain anp. a chapel. The installation of the projected plant cost about $20,000 the first year. The Paulists borrowed part of the money to begin the plant from the Mother House in New York, but by 1916, all but $7,500 had been paid, largely through the personal efforts of the Paulists, who gave missions, retreats and lectures, and made personal appeals to the people of the diocese and of the State of Texas. The parish income did not suffice to pay the running expenses of the chapel during the early years. The deficit in 1915 was $500.00. It was the Reverend John Handly, C.S.P., who was responsible for the building of the excellent club house put up for the use of Catholic students, with quarters for the chaplain, lecture rooms, a library and a chapel. The total cost was over $35,000.00. From the time of their first arrival in 1908, the Paulist Fathers collected almost entirely from outside the parish, all of $40,000.00 up to 1916, and invested in the physical plant of the new foundation the sum of $55,000.00. Under the able direction of the Reverend John Elliot Ross, C.S.P., great progress was made. Slowly, prejudice and intolerance in the University 66Pope Pius X, Acerbo nimis, April 15 1 1906, reads: "We decree and strictly command that in all dioceses throughout the world where there are public academies, colleges, and universities, let religious doctrine classes be established for the purpose of teaching the truths of our faith and the precepts of Christian morality to the youths who attend such public institutions wherein no mention is made of religion." Copy in C. A. T.
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