The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-09-16
K. Of c.'s Doing
Good Work

NVVV
KNIGHTS TAKING GREAT INTER.
EST IN THE WELFARE OF THE
CATHOLIC SOLDIERS AND THEIR
FRiENDs-eUlLDlNG NEW REC.
REATloN HALLS.
AS an evidence of the interest
which the knights of Columbus are
taking in the physical, intellectual
and spiritual welfare of the, Catholic
soldiers now stationed in the various
military camps along the Mexican
border, we quote the following from
the Southern Messenger of San An.
tonic, Texas:
A few hundred feet from the prin.
cipal entrance of Camp Wilson, at Ft.
Sam Houston, San Antonio, there has
been built by the knights of Columbus
a field station" or club house for
the use of the many thousands of
soldiers now encamped there. 1t is a
substantial frame structure, so by
"a feet in dimensions, lighted and
ventilated on all sides, and affords a
pleasant, cool retreat where the men
may enjoy their hours of leisure and
find pleasant relief from the monoto-
nous duties of camp life, amid elevat.
ing and congenial surroundings. The
use of the building and it's equipment
is not limited to Catholic soldiers and
Knights of Columbus; all the troops
IN camp are welcome to avail them.
selves of its accommodations and its
privileges.
Long desks, furnished with writing
materials, occupy the full length of
the room on both sides. How we'll
these are patronized by the men may
be judged by the fact that 5000 letter
heads and envelopes, all bearing the
seal and inscription of the knights of
Columbus, were used up in the first
four days after the opening of the
station. The stock of writing mate.
rial was Immediately replenished and
great baskets full of mail addressed to
all parts of the United States are
daily delivered to the postal authori.
ties.
Two long tables are covered with
reading matter--books, magazines and
newspapers-supplied by friends, and
these also are being constantly made
use of by the soldiers. The center OF
the room is filled with smaller tables
suitable for games of chess, dominoes
checkers, etc. A piano and Victrola
with fifty records complete the mate
rial furnishings. There are many mu.
sicians of ability among the men, and
many also have good voices. and a
movement is on foot for the organi.
zation of choir to furnish music for
the Field Masses.
The club room is also used as q
chapel on Sundays when the weather
does not admit of the celebration OF
Mass in the open air, as was the case
last Sunday. On such occasions the
room is carefully cleaned and arrang.
ed beforehand, and one of the larger
tables, suitably decorated, is used as
an altar. All this work is done by
the soldiers themselves, every one OF
whom is eager to assist in this labor
of love, and two of them serve the
Mass. At last Sundays Mass the
building was crowded in spite of the
very unfavorable weather and the fact
/ that a large number of the Catholic
troops had left during the preceding
week for target practice at Leon
Springs. Many of the men also, who
can obtain leave, attend Mass in the
various parish churches of the city.
The building was completed and
thrown open to the troops on August
1, and it has been filled every night
since. Placards have been posted at
all entrances, bearing the following
inscription:
Knights Of Columbus and
Catholic Mems Club.
This club is open to al Catholic
men and their friends. Free sta
tionery, reading matter ice water,
music, games, etc.
A Good Place to Spend Your Idle Time
l.. F. Durrell of San Antonio coun'
Gil, with an assistant, is in charge OF
the building, which is kept open all
day and until retreat" is sounded in
the evening.
The principal expense attendant on
the construction of the building has
been borne by the supreme council OF
the Knights of Columbus, who are
building IA similar stations along the
Mexican border. The equipment and
maintenance of the club devolve on
the members Of San Antonio council.
ANCIENT ORDER OF