The Lone Star Catholic (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 30, Ed. 1 Sunday, November 24, 1957 Page: 3 of 24
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The house you live in
Housing and the apostolate
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This is the American pattern. Houses and churches are built hand in
hand. New communities are born each year. Let us exert ourselves
so Christ will not be turned from our homes and weep over our cities.
DENNIS CLARK
in cooperation with the members
of the Philadelphia Catholic
Housing Council
Aeuu-
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sity, housing quality, transportation, land values
and community facilities.
5. Survey of the size of public housing units
in relation to normal family needs and especially
in relation to housing available in the low-rent
program for large families. A sociologist on the
faculty of LaSalle College carried out this re-
search.
6. A study of the effects of apartment living
upon families with children was compiled and
distributed nationally.
7. A pamphlet designed to acquaint Catho-
lics with their responsibilities in the field of hous-
ing was written.
8. Tours were conducted of parishes with re-
development sites in them.
9. Articles on housing matters and speeches
to various groups served to publicize the connec-
tion between housing and the social responsibili-
ties of Catholics.
Christians can cope with the new urban con-
ditions in our vast cities only if they are organ-
ized for the purpose and make their decisions in
a spirit of prayer and careful knowledge. The
Philadelphia Catholic Housing Council is an at-
tempt to organize men for this purpose.
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two dozen persons engaged or deeply interested
in housing or related work. The Council began
in 1952 with the efforts of one or two individuals
to make a Christian evaluation of the field in
which they were working.
These persons were impressed by the lack of
a realistic understanding on the part of the gen-
eral public of the basic facts of housing and the
importance of these facts for community life.
They were impressed also by the lack of compe-
tent and articulate Catholic participation in the
policy councils and administrative networks in
their field. Catholics of varying degrees of religi-
ous consciousness were represented throughout
the housing industry, but they seem to be almost
totally without realization of their common obli-
gation toward their work based upon religious
motivation and convictions.
The objectives of the group that they formed
to discuss their problems were formulated as fol-
lows:
1. To analyze and interpret housing matters
in terms of the social principles that Catholics
hold valid.
2. To serve as a liaison between official agen-
cies and parishes and neighborhood groups.
3. To contribute to and participate in work
for better housing conditions and community
standards wherever and however possible.
With these aims in mind the initial three
members began trying to influence other persons
to take part in forming a Catholic social action
program in the local housing field.
It was not long before the group had a mod-
erator, Father John W. Keogh of St. Gabriel’s
parish, appointed by Archbishop John F. O’Hara.
The following are some of the activities that
have grown out of the Council meetings in the
last two years:
1. Appearance before Congressional, State
and local housing investigation committees to
testify on such topics as relocation of families
from slum clearance sites, housing code provisions
and enforcement, and housing program needs. At
times the Council took positions on very contro-
versial issues.
2. Analysis of the impact of public housing
programs upon parishes. The Council made a
study of the effects of low-rent housing projects
on parish schools and facilities.
3. Analysis of changes in the racial occupancy
of neighborhoods and the effects that this would
have on parishes.
4. Analysis of the effect of large scale urban
renewal plans upon parishes. These urban re-
newal plans involved changes in population den-
Family Life. A well cared for house can
be the beloved scene of occasions that family
members will cherish throughout life. The cruci-
fix on the wall, well-chosen pictures, plaques and
statues of holy events and people symbolize the
life in Christ that the house holds. The Advent
wreath, the joy of the Christmas feast, Bap-
tism celebrations and other happy memories flow
from Christian home life. A strongly built and
sufficient dwelling can give needed shelter and
rest to those who share the mission of the Church
in the local or larger community. The dwelling
may be modest, but unless it is adequate the life
of the occupants, both moral and physical, will
be compromised.
Parish Life. Housing is the largest single fac-
tor affecting life in most of our parishes. The per-
sonal difficulties, youth problems and family
troubles that consume much of the priest’s time
are closely related to it. Pastors in Chicago have
taken an active interest in urban renewal and
neighborhood improvement and have held joint
conferences on their problems. The conduct of
the parish can be a critical factor in racially
changing neighborhoods where good example and
charity are called for. The parish is a fit place
to work on such things. Little differences should
not keep people apart and prevent joint endeavor
on these problems, for “Rich and poor are jointed
together, the Lord is the maker of them both.”
(Proverbs).
Parishioners should work through housing
organizations, local community and civic groups,
credit unions and through government agencies
to guard and improve housing and neighborhood
conditions against overcrowding, dilapidation, un-
fair practices, etc. A healthy interest in local traf-
fic, recreation and planning problems can be a
work of genuine service to one’s neighbors.
In the Larger Community. Participation by
Catholics in civic affairs with respect to housing
is sorely needed. The policies and practices con-
trolling the field of housing in your locality may
be made by persons who have misguided and
secular ideas about family and community life.
These policies and practices may even be made
on the basis of selfishness, prejudice, political
corruption and ignorance. As a citizen it is your
obligation to be interested in so fundamental a
question as housing. As a Christian you must give
witness to the honest, charitable and prudent
virtue that is needed in community life.
Ordinary citizens who need more knowledge
of housing matters to help influence policies and
practices in their communities should join their
local civic group that serves as the community
“watchdog” in housing matters. National organi-
zations such as ACTION—American Council to
Improve Our Neighborhoods, 2 W. 46th Street,
New York 36, N.Y.; or the National Housing Con-
ference, 1129 Vermont Avenue N.W., Washington,
D.C., can help you locate or form a housing group.
If you are a man whose business affects
housing, do not be content with mere routine
customs and activities. Know the problems and
work to solve them. As a real estate dealer, as a
builder, as a civil servant in a housing agency
or as a tradesman or craftsman, there is a role
for you to play in providing better homes for all.
By Way of Example. The Philadelphia Catho-
lic Housing Council is an attempt to create an arm
of the lay apostolate in the housing field that
might be imitated in other cities. The Council is
not a large organization. It is composed of about
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Discussion questions
i 1. Can you recall any recent Papal state-
ments that touched upon housing? Any state-
ments of American Catholic bishops or social
action groups?
2. Do property owners in your parish
belong to a local organization interested in
the housing and civic welfare of the area?
3. Do you watch newspaper reports of
housing matters in your community? Know
any persons who are directly connected with
the housing field?
&8 3 x 3 3 338
4. Do you know any persons who are
directly connected with the housing field?
Are they well trained Christians with whom
you could work for improvements?
5. What Catholic groups would have a
very direct interest in the study and im-
provement of city life?
6. How many of the things that the
Philadelphia Catholic Housing Counciihas
accomplished could you do by yourself ‘ With
s it a job foi priests or laymen.
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Francis, Dale. The Lone Star Catholic (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 30, Ed. 1 Sunday, November 24, 1957, newspaper, November 24, 1957; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1528475/m1/3/: accessed June 13, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting St. Edward’s University.