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459
Tlie Knigllts of Colmnbtes Historical Commission
RESOLVED: That there be established a Knights of Columbus Historical Commission, to be composed of the State Deputy, State Chaplain, and three Catholic Educators, one Clerical and two laymen, to be selected by the State Deputy and State Chaplain, this commission to secure historical data and to prepare same for publication, with the purpose of preserving the history of the Catholic Church in Texas; and that said commission be granted an expense fund of not to exceed $250.00 to be approved hy the State Deputy. in carrying out the work of the commission." At the State Convention held at Laredo the following year the first report of the Historical Commission was made. We learn that the first meeting of the Commission was held in Dallas, February 10, 1924, at the Oriental Hotel. The members present were Worthy State Deputy, Joseph I. Driscoll, Mr. Thos. Vernoy. Unh·ersity of Dallas. and Mr. John F. O'Shea, Our Lady of the Lake College. San Antonio. Absent members of the original committee were the Rev. W. F. O'Brien, State Chaplain, Sherman, the Rev. James M. Kirwin, and Joseph E. Bennis, El Paso. At this meeting Mr. O'Shea was appointed chairman, and Mr. Vernoy. Secretary. It was determined that the Worthy State Deputy was to con- tinue as advisor and director of the work of the commission. In this first meeting of informal discussions the aim of the Commission was clearly defined in the words "to secure historical data and to prepare the same for publication with the purpose of preserving the history of the Catholic Church in Texas." The next discussion concerned the ways and means of coliecting the necessary data which partly might be found in the principal archives of the State and also in the diocesan archives of the Texas dioceses. The Chairman was instrncted to communicate with the Metropolitan of the Province at that time, the Most Reverend Arch- bishop Shaw of New Orleans, and formerly the Bishop of San Antonio. and also with all the members of the hierarchy in the State of Texas. Within a short time the hierarchy had given its full endorsement and approval of this great undertaking. Much to the regret of the ne\vly formed Commission Mr. John O'Shea found it necessary to resign from the organization. and when the twenty- second annual convention met at Sherman on May 19-20. 192s, it was announced that Father J. M. Kirwin had also resigned, and had been succeeded by Father C. F. Sugranes, C.M.F.. of San Antonio. His inter- esting articles on the missionary period of Texas history had been a feature of the Smet!r.Pm .M nre11-gn. State Deputy Driscoll realized the
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