Our Lady of Guadalupe

In 1940 the sisters established, with Fr. Carmelo Tranchese, SJ, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Community Center, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The sisters had taught in the school since 1918, and shared Fr. Carmelo’s desire to do something more for the parishioners. Sister Mary of Victory Lewis, who had been director of the nursing program at Incarnate Word College, led the effort and was assisted by Sisters Imelda Walshe, Martha Murphy, Pauline Fierro, and Ana Guadalupe Gamero. They began by feeding the children – 250-300 each day. They were soon operating a nursery school, a clinic for mothers and infants, arts and crafts activities, a recreational program, and classes in religion, English, citizenship, and childcare. The community center is still in operation, under the auspices of Catholic Charities.