Our Catlzolic Heritage i1t, Texas
for the aged in San Antonio under Catholic auspices was established in September, 1926, in the property that was deeded to them by the late Roger McMonigal. Twelve years later, the Congregation purchased the property and house just north of the Home and there established St. Scholastica's Convent on II3 South Alamo, with the consent of Arch- bishop Drossaerts, who blessed and dedicated the new Motherhouse on June 19, 1939 on the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Sisters of Saint Benedict in Texas. Asked how they had succeeded, Mother Mary Raphael replied, "As for our success! I do believe we shall have to wait until we reach Heaven to find out about that." 80 The work they are doing for the aged-men and women-in San Antonio fills a great need and lends comfort to many poor souls on the eve of eternity, making their reclining years a more pleasant preparation for life here- after. The growth of the congregation has been slow. In thirty-two years, said Mother Mary Raphael, the number of members increased from seven to twenty-seven, of whom nine came from places outside of Texas. Welfare Organizations. Due to the incredible high mortality among the Mexican population in Houston, Bishop C. E. Byrne appealed to the National Council of Catholic Women for aid, and the response was the establishment of the San Jose Clinic which was opened in July, 1924, in a rented building on Franklin Street. Staffed by local doctors, it has proved a great benefit to a long neglected section of the population. Among those who faithfully supported the work and gave his services for fifteen long years to the free clinic is Dr. Marshall Wallis. In 1928 the Clinic became a participating agency of the Houston Community Chest, thus easing the burden on the private supporters who financed it from the beginning. It has been aided greatly by the generosity of numerous volunteers and the Charity Guild, a group of zealous women. Since 1946 the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have had super- vision of San Jose Clinic. At the request of Bishop Byrne, Sisters M. Leonardine and M. Manuela took charge of this work of charity on October r. 81 The Community Chest drive in San Antonio slowed down in 1926; the response in 1927 was indifferent; the third year it failed completely. In view of the situation, the zealous and most active pastor of St. Cecilia's, 80 Letter of Mother Mary Raphael, O.S.B., to the Author, San Antonio, July I 9, 1951. 81 Diocese of Galveston, Centennial, I 65.
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