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Our Catlzolic IIeritagc in T cxas
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Thomas Aquinas Buergler and Albert M. Schrieber, teachers, besides two more lay instructors; Thomas F. Quigley, Athletics Director; and James C. Moore, Instructor in Music and Mathematics. 121 The College-Academy of Corpus Christi continued to develop and to enjoy the highest reputation in the community. By 1936 its enrollment had risen to ninety-four. During the years of the great depression of 1929, it faced almost insurmountable difficulties in providing adequate facilities and equipment for the constantly growing student body. The discovery of oil in 1936 on a part of its property, which continued to flow for only two years, helped the college to survive the strain of its leanest years. Its efficient and capable president, Father Paul M. Nahlen, O.S.B., was elected Abbot of Subiaco Abbey, March 23, 1939. He appointed Father Joseph P. Fuhrmann in May, 1939, president of the College in Corpus Christi. Under his able direction and of his successors in office, the college has continued to develop. By 1943 the enrollment reached a total of 128, a figure at which it was kept in spite of applications for admission in excess of the total indi- cated. The College has been greatly aided by gifts from appreciative benefactors. John Dunn left the school a substantial bequest; Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Thompson gave a piece of valuable property and money for the endowment of a scholarship for the education of any worthy young man of Corpus Christi preparing himself for the Holy Priesthood; Miss Mary FitzSimons gave the notable FitzSimons collection, consisting of many articles connected with the early history of Corpus Christi; the John B. Dunn collection was presented in 1941 by his heirs; and another donor gave a rare painting of the Virgin and Child by the famous colonial Mexican artist, Juan de Herrera. The Corpus Christi College Academy has become one of the well-known Catholic institutions in the State. 1 .u Society of Missionary _Catecliists of Our Blessed Lady of Victory, 1928. This Congregation was founded in 1922 by the Reverend John J. Sigstein, priest of the archdiocese of Chicago, with the assistance of His Excellency, Most Reverend John F. Noll, D.D., then the Reverend John Noll, founder and editor of Our Sunday Visitor. Its purpose is to reach the scattered people in the Southwestern United States, particu- larly those along the Mexican border. 121 /bid., 13, ss-ss, 69. WThe summary here presented is based largely on Albert M. Schreiber, When tl,e Bishop Blesses.
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