INTRODUCTIONIt must be borne in mind that the Seminary is not a parish and the Guildmembers activities are in addition to the obligation they owe their respectiveparishes. The primary and abiding interest of the Guild is to do whatever is in its power tocontribute time and effort to the Seminary of the Sons of the Holy Family toprovide at least some of the financial support necessary to enable young mento accomplish their goal -- the holy priesthood. A review of the activities of theGuild reveals a great deal has been done and much remains to be done. The general activities of the Guild for the past several years have been outlinedabove. A few general observations appear to be appropriate to indicate theconstancy of direction of the Guild's internal structure. The officers are installedduring the first meeting of January of each year in conformity with the by-laws,and are members who have been active in Guild affairs during prior years. Themembers individually and as a group are dedicated to the premise that the youngmen who are helped will, please God, one day be priests of God forever. It ismost pleasant and rewarding to find that those who have become priests seem tofind time to return to the Seminary to say Mass and greet the members who knewthem when they were students.A note, possibly a critical note, might be added in that a review of the records of the functions of the Guild indicates the membership generally might well becomemore active 1n the aoals of the Guild and participate in the spiritual and physicaladvantaqes of association in the preparation of younq men for the priesthood. The Sons of the Holy Family provide the aspirants, the Guild merely contributeswhat it can, if it can, when it can.A casual review of the incomplete records of the organization which is now knownas the HOLY FAMILY SEMINARY GUILD cannot help but Impress the reader with theconstancy and dedication of the members. At the outset, and certainly prior to1955, a qroup formed for the purpose of assisting the seminary in the solution of what must have been immense problems. Anyone now active in the interest of the seminary knows Father Joe, of reverent and beloved memory, purchased theBrown farm and for years lived 1n the house which still stands on the property butwhich was certainly not adequate for the purpose of a seminary. The purchase of the property would have been without meaning or slqniflcance if a seminary hadnot been an ultimate but future realization and provide a place where the youngmen aspiring to the priesthood could complete their education and be reasonablyhoused, fed and clothed. Such was the goal of Fathers Joseph Ruensa, Morera andHoffman.

The first available records of the organization and undated partial minutes of ameeting durlnq 1955, indicate It was at this meeting the organization adopted thename HOLY FAMILY SEMINARY GUILD and determined the annual membership feeat $2.00. Also, and based on the same record, it is apparent the organizationengaged 1n largely the same fund raising endeavors as the Guild as 1t is known inthat cookies and brownies were baked and sold at sponsored teas with theannouncement of the events made in the various surrounding parish churches.During this period tour-parties of various Embassies were arranged and held.During this early period, the group met in the Brown house and the effort at fundraising was hampered by a total lack of equipment including necessary tables,chairs, dishes and the like. The first problem to be overcome was finding orrenting a hall large enough and borrowinq or renting the tables, chairs and otherneeded items. During the era, the group apparently worked closely with anotheroraanization called the Good Samaritan Society which was instrumental in makingsubstantial contribution to the Seminary.No records are available covering the activities of the Guild between 1955 and 1957except to note the organization continued Its activities and expanded itsmembership. At a meeting held on June 5, 1959, the plans for a new seminarybuilding were laid before the meetlnq. A raffle was decided upon as the means of raising funds and the drawing plus a bingo party was held at DeMatha High School. Throughout the year the Guild was active 1n raffles of several kinds, blngos andalmost any type of programs which would produce dollars. It Is Interesting to noteduring this period the members of the Guild defrayed the cost of the activities out of their own pockets and Father Hoffman acted as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.At a meeting held January 15, 1960, Father Hoffman suggested the Guild electofficers and a slate was elected and installed which freed Father Hoffman to devotehis time to the new building and his other responsibilities. At this meeting theannual dues of $2.00 were affirmed, the "SUNSHINE FUND" adopted and a monthlymeeting was decided upon and by-laws for the Guild were authorized and thebusiness for the ensuing year ggcnerally discussed. Ground breaking ceremonieswere held on January 24, 1960 for the new seminary building and Father JosephRuensa, Father Hoffman and Father Pratt officiated. The by-lawsof the Guild were presented and left to be studied during the monthly meetingheld on February 19, 19f>0. At subsequent meetings activities were discussedand decided upon and centered around a party at the Spanish Embassy, a danceand a family picnic. Meanwhile the roll of members continued to increase.During this period the Guild commenced purchasing equipment which would beused in the several functions and according to the record of a meetinq held 'une

8, 1960 it was decided to buy money aprons. Again, the fall raffle was a topic of much discussion as was a card party and dance. The dedication of the newseminary was held on September 3, I960. The main altar was largely furnishedby the Good Samaritan Society. The dedication ceremonies were attended by theclergy and lunch served by the Guild and the year closes out on a profitable yearand the Student Burse was started.At a meeting held February 17, 1961 - the Guild decided to take its expenses outof its own treasury rather than ask for so many donations. Binao parties continuedto be a source of income to the point where the Guild discussed purchasing itsown tables and chairs. The family picnic continued to be popular and a source of substantial income as did the dinners and dances. The Guild authorized thepurchase of book shelves for the Seminary to provide space into which totransfer the books oui of the "Old House". Father Joseph's aold-en anniversaryin the priesthood was celebrated on October 8, 1961, by a solemn hioh mass anda silver tea served by Guild Members. The advantage of the new seminary isapparent as the meetings of the Guild are now being held in the Seminary as wellas certain of the activities. During a meeting held 1t was announced that thebookshelves and a loud speaker system purchased by the Guild had been fullypaid for and later 150 more chairs were purchased. The contribution to theStudent Burse was continued and the Guild closed another successful year with amodest bank balance and no bills owed.A Spaghetti Dinner was planned for February 17, 1962 and it was decided topurchase ten more tables and a coffee urn to facilitate the Guild's activities. Thebingo games still have an important place in the financial plans as well as theraffle. On March 16, 1962, plans for a Rodeo were discussed and committeesnamed to Investigate the specific details of such an undertaking and it was laterdecided to hold the Rodeo in conjunction with the annual picnic. Father Hoffmanannounced at the April 26, 1962 meeting the Guild enjoyed a membership of 120and for the first time a motion was made and seconded to raffle a 600 poundsteer. The annual picnic was held on June 17, 1962, and, again for the first timeRanger Hal of T.V. fame was retained to entertain the children and the picnic wasidentified as a Western Round-Up. Later on discussions were had concerning theinstallation of electric lights on the parking lot and in front of the seminary.Notwithoutstanding these improvements It continued to be necessary to holdfunctions attended by a large number of persons at places other than theSeminary. During a meeting a "Larder" Darty was discussed to the end. Thelarder of the Seminary be well stocked around Christmas time. It was during thistime the parking lot lights were installed and it was announced the activities of the Guild enabled the Sons of the Holy Family, Silver Spring, to pay their share of