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Om· Catlzolic Heritage in T e:xas
historians of the dioceses of Texas were added to the ex-officio member- ship. Father J. G. O'Donohue, Secretary, already appointed a member of the Commission by State Deputy Driscoll on February 18, 1926, was now to serve in a double capacity as the representative of the diocese of Dallas with his appointment by Bishop Joseph P. Lynch, Bishop of Dallas, on November 18, 1926. Archbishop Drossaerts appointed the Reverend M. S. Garriga on November 18, 1926, as the historian of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Bishop Christopher E. Byrne selected Rev. John S. Mur- phy, LL.D., already an ex-officio member, on October 12, 1926, to repre- sent the diocese of Galveston. There followed the similar appointment of Rev. J. D. Buchanan by Bishop Schuler of El Paso; and that of Rev. J. A. Walsh by Bishop E. B. Ledvina, Bishop of Corpus Christi, but Father Walsh was almost immediately succeeded by the Reverend Dan A. Laning. Some months later Bishop R. A. Gerken, of the new diocese of Amarillo, appointed the Reverend J. J. Dolje. Members of the Com- mission serving in an ex-officio capacity were Fathers Foik, Donohoe, and Murphy. To these were added the State Deputy, Joseph I. Driscoll and Dr. Guilday. These members assembled at St. Edward's University on November 23-24, 1926. At this meeting Father Garriga suggested that valued as- sistance could be obtained from persons much interested in the history .. of the Church and of the State. He cited the name of Mpnsignor C._Jaillet, P.A. of Corpus Christi, who began his priestly career along the coast when Indians were still in evidence, and who could give valuable infor- mation on those early years of his priesthood. Then too there was Padre Juanito Bretault, the famous Oblate missionary of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, affectionately known along the Rio Grande by all the people. Many other persons with intimate knowledge of an early period could be named. He suggested that these should be prevailed upon to write their memoirs for the benefit of the Commission. Other members of the Com- mission could name other pioneers in the other dioceses who could im- mensely add to missionary accounts. At this meeting also the important decision was made to establish corresponding memberships which would include priests, religious, and laity who showed an interest in the work of the Commission, and who might be in the position to assist in the labors of this organization. Among the first invited to become corresponding members were the Reverend Francis Borgia Steck, O.F.M., and Dr. Carlos E. Castaneda,
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