Continuation of the article about the 75th Jubilee.
On December 6, 1947, Fr. Sylvester Juergens, SM, superior general of the Society of Mary, proposed the establishment of a parish on or near the property of St. Mary’s University. It would serve to care for the growing number of families moving to the area and would administer to the needs of the students of a growing university. The parish was officially created the next year on September 15, 1948.
Territory for the new parish was taken from the parishes of Saint Ann and Little Flower. The mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes, formerly attached to St. Ann’s parish, was entrusted to Holy Rosary. Priests from St Mary’s University had already served the mission from its beginning in 1943. Fr. Cyril M. Kuehne, SM, was appointed first pastor of Holy Rosary, and Fr. Alfred Rabe, SM, was named his assistant with special duty in Helotes.
From 1963 to 1971, three parishes were formed from Holy Rosary territory. Holy Family was erected on September 10, 1963. The Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes was named a parish on December 12, 1968. The third parish to be established was St. Dominic on September 1, 1971.
During the early years of the parish, the rectory, convent and school were housed in two buildings formerly used as barracks. For the first ten years, Sunday Masses and other services were celebrated from Assumption Chapel of St. Mary’s University. From January 1968 until July 1970, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church offered its facilities so that two Masses could be offered every Sunday for the residents of what is now St. Dominic’s.
Holy Rosary Church was dedicated on April 27, 1958. Fourteen classrooms were built between 1953 and 1958. The school was originally directed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame upon its opening on September 6, 1949. Until 1972 the school contained eight grades. In that year the seventh and eighth grades were closed. But in 1973, Holy Cross School of San Antonio, at that time an all-boys school, opened a junior high school.
Numerous improvements were made to the parish’s physical plant through the years. A convent was built in 1957 and replaced the previously used government surplus building. The rectory was purchased and expanded in 1960. The parish hall and cafeteria were dedicated on February 19, 1967. In 1969, another surplus building was obtained and converted into a library and learning center.
A number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life have come from the church over the years.
As part of its 75th anniversary observation, the parish is conducting a “Support Legacy” jubilee fund with the goal of collecting at least $75,000 by May 2025.
The campaign will focus on three primary areas – to enhance worship, to support youth and young adults, and to renew the community’s facilities – with one third of the fund collected designated for each priority.
To enhance worship the sound system will be replaced, a permanent baptism font will be installed, and the tabernacle will be returned to the main sanctuary.
To support youth and young adults, funding will assist in enriching faith life, engaging quality inspirational speakers, and assisting youth groups with travel expenses to ease the cost burden on families.
And to renew facilities, new restrooms will be constructed.
For more information on this campaign contact the parish office at (210) 433-3241.
On December 6, 1947, Fr. Sylvester Juergens, SM, superior general of the Society of Mary, proposed the establishment of a parish on or near the property of St. Mary’s University. It would serve to care for the growing number of families moving to the area and would administer to the needs of the students of a growing university. The parish was officially created the next year on September 15, 1948.
Territory for the new parish was taken from the parishes of Saint Ann and Little Flower. The mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes, formerly attached to St. Ann’s parish, was entrusted to Holy Rosary. Priests from St Mary’s University had already served the mission from its beginning in 1943. Fr. Cyril M. Kuehne, SM, was appointed first pastor of Holy Rosary, and Fr. Alfred Rabe, SM, was named his assistant with special duty in Helotes.
From 1963 to 1971, three parishes were formed from Holy Rosary territory. Holy Family was erected on September 10, 1963. The Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes was named a parish on December 12, 1968. The third parish to be established was St. Dominic on September 1, 1971.
During the early years of the parish, the rectory, convent and school were housed in two buildings formerly used as barracks. For the first ten years, Sunday Masses and other services were celebrated from Assumption Chapel of St. Mary’s University. From January 1968 until July 1970, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church offered its facilities so that two Masses could be offered every Sunday for the residents of what is now St. Dominic’s.
Holy Rosary Church was dedicated on April 27, 1958. Fourteen classrooms were built between 1953 and 1958. The school was originally directed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame upon its opening on September 6, 1949. Until 1972 the school contained eight grades. In that year the seventh and eighth grades were closed. But in 1973, Holy Cross School of San Antonio, at that time an all-boys school, opened a junior high school.
Numerous improvements were made to the parish’s physical plant through the years. A convent was built in 1957 and replaced the previously used government surplus building. The rectory was purchased and expanded in 1960. The parish hall and cafeteria were dedicated on February 19, 1967. In 1969, another surplus building was obtained and converted into a library and learning center.
A number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life have come from the church over the years.
As part of its 75th anniversary observation, the parish is conducting a “Support Legacy” jubilee fund with the goal of collecting at least $75,000 by May 2025.
The campaign will focus on three primary areas – to enhance worship, to support youth and young adults, and to renew the community’s facilities – with one third of the fund collected designated for each priority.
To enhance worship the sound system will be replaced, a permanent baptism font will be installed, and the tabernacle will be returned to the main sanctuary.
To support youth and young adults, funding will assist in enriching faith life, engaging quality inspirational speakers, and assisting youth groups with travel expenses to ease the cost burden on families.
And to renew facilities, new restrooms will be constructed.
For more information on this campaign contact the parish office at (210) 433-3241.