Our Catlzolic IIeritage in Texas
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diately began their noble work. Two years later, the cornerstone of the new stone building was laid. Since that time, a large plant has been developed. In addition to the main three-and-a-half-story building, a separate laundry was constructed, a wing for the Sisters was added, a chapel for the girls was outfitted on the second floor, and quarters for the chaplain put up. An extra building was erected in 1912 for the girls who preferred to stay in the home and help the sisters. They are called co11,secrates, because although they take no vows, they voluntarily conse- crate their lives to work for the Sisters. They earn revenue for the home by work in the laundry, making rosaries, altar breads, and they help teach classes in the institution's managed school, Our Lady of Victory. The classes in both grammar and grade departments are conducted on a departmental basis, music is offered in the high school, the girls have organized an orchestra, and they have baseball, basketball, movies once a month, and dramatics. They are also taught sewing, cooking, and domestic work. Great is the work done in rehabilitating many a desperate soul. 7 ' The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, who do similar work to that of the Good Shepherd Sisters, came to Dallas in 1908, and established a home for delinquent girls. Their work received the general support of the community and the blessing of the Bishop. In connection with their work, they established a school for the girls who came to them and since 1916 they have conducted grade and high school classes. They moved to a spacious 208 acre tract on the highway between Dallas and Fort Worth in 1928, which they called Mt. St. Michael's. It has become a home and school for girls from abnormal families who need more healthy and peaceful surroundings, such as the Sisters can afford them. In addition to the regular school instruction through high school, they are given training in domestic arts and commercial courses. 75 Bishop N. A. Gallagher of Galveston was deeply interested in helping solve social problems. As early as 1902 he had urged the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to establish a convent in Houston. Circumstances pre- vented the good Sisters from accepting the invitation until May 20, 1914. When the small band arrived from St. Louis, they were agreeably sur- prised at the warm welcome given them. They found on arrival a house 7 'Vlrginia Mae Brite, "The Social Work of the Good Shepherd in San Antonio," thesis at Incarnate Word College, San Antonio. 75 "Developrnent of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Dallas" (M.A. thesis, Cath. University of Am.), p. 64.
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