This symposium addresses ways of identifying, preserving, researching, and disseminating the historical legacy of San Antonio’s Westside Catholic parishes.  This initial meeting reflects on the documents and history that have been gathered on parishes in the westside of San Antonio.  Critical in shaping Mexican American lives and communities, this history began in the 1730s with San Fernando parish. In the twentieth century, many parishes appeared on San Antonio’s Westside to provide places of worship, community engagement, and educational opportunities for a rapidly growing population of Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants settling in San Antonio.  Below is a list of speakers and topics. 

Sixth Annual O’Connor Lecture

“The Barrio Church: Researching and Writing Latino Parish Histories,”

Roberto Treviño, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas-Arlington

Bocadillos y Refrescos | Munchies and Refreshments

Finding and Preserving Westside Parish Histories

• “Surveying Westside Parishes,” Gerald E. Poyo, O’Connor Professor, History of Hispanic Texas and the Southwest, St. Mary’s University
• “San Antonio Católico: The Parish Project,” Gilberto M. Hinojosa, Professor Emeritus: University of the Incarnate Word
• “Digitizing and Organizing Latino Archives,” Carolina Villarroel, Brown Foundation Director, Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage, University of Houston

Telling Westside Parish Histories

• "Founding and Development of Santa Augusta/St. Jude Parish," Reverend Robert Wright, OMI, Oblate School of Theology
• “Going Public with Parish Histories,” Lindsey Wieck, Associate Professor & Director of Public History, St. Mary’s University
• “The Little Flower Parish Story,” Ashton Jeffers, MA, St. Mary’s Public History Program

Voices from the Westside

• “Clergy and the Westside,” Reverend Michael DeGerolami, Former pastor, St. Timothy’s Catholic Church
• “Community and Catechesis,” Sister Angela Erevia, MCDP, Congregational Leadership Team and Adjunct Faculty at Mexican American Catholic College
• “Parish as Faith Community,” María Antonietta Berriozábal, Community Activist, former member of San Antonio City Council
• “Parish Activism: COPS,” Natalia Soriano Tovar, Parishioner, St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, COPS member

Conclusions

• Reverend David García, Former Rector, San Fernando Cathedral

Reception

Interested in attending this event? While a RSVP is not required to attend, it is greatly appreciated for planning. CLICK HERE to complete the RSVP form.

For more information, contact Jason King, Ph.D., at jking25@stmarytx.edu.