May Q. Garthar
Past President 1941-1943

Galveston Diocese Council of Catholic Women

"Garther was present as a Sponsor and J.H. Studdert, the Vice-President of the Council, was the Matron of Honor"

About the Logo

Our Catholic foundations are expressed in the symbol itself as well as the name “Stella Maris”. The elements within the symbol characterize our mission. The anchor symbolizes Hope: when the anchor is dropped at sea, it holds fast to keep the ship and crew safe - just as we hold fast to our hope in God to keep us safe. The lifesaver symbolizes Faith: when a seafarer falls into the sea, they put their trust in the lifesaver to save them - just as we put our faith in God for eternal salvation. The heart symbolizes Charity: the heart of Christ. The rays of light symbolize the Light of Christ: the light emanates from the Heart of Christ. The waves of the sea mark the environment for our mission - a source of livelihood for seafarers. Accepting and believing in Faith, Hope and Charity leads seafarers and their families to the safe harbor of Heaven..
https://www.usccb.org/committees/cultural-diversity-church/stella-maris

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Launching of the S.S. John Mary Odin
In March 1943, the Galveston Diocese Council of Catholic Women reached out to the US Maritime Commission to request that a ship be named after the Most Reverend John Mary Odin, C.M., the first bishop of Texas. Odin first came from France to Texas as a Vicar-Apostolic in May 1842. More priests were needed to meet the needs of the growing population of immigrants in Texas and eventually Texas was named a bishopric in 1847, appointing Odin as the first bishop of Galveston.
The director of Public Relations sent Odin's name to the Houston Shipbuilding Corporation and on June 15, 1943, the ship was named during a ceremony. Bishop C. E. Bryne spoke at the ceremony and blessed the ship. Garther was present as a sponsor and J.H. Studdert, the vice-president of the Council, was the matron of honor. At the ceremony, over 200 books were given to the ship by Catholics and a lot of clergy from the diocese were in attendance.

During the war, the ship sailed in the North Sea between Dover and Antwerp and the ship delivered supplies to help in the invasion of Normandy. On V-E day in Ghent, Belgium, the crew of the ship threw candy to people on the shore. On V-J day, the ship was in Manila. After the war, the ship was given to the American Mail Line on June 19, 1946. In January 1947, the flag the ship used was given to Garthar, who gave it to the Ursuline Convent in Galveston.
#archgalhou #catholicwomen #worldwar2 #boats Galveston-Houston Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women G-H ACCW
Works Cited
Burns, Bertram H. “Victory Voyages of the John Mary Odin.” Catholic Archives of Texas.
“Bryne Speaks at Launching of Ship Here.” The Houston Chronicle. June 15, 1943. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.
Letter to A.F. Raynaud from May Q. Garthar. January 21, 1947. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.
Letter to Mark O’Dea from May Q. Garthar. March 31, 1943. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.
Letter to May Q. Garthar from Mark O’Dea. April 13, 1943. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.
Letter to May Q. Garthar from S.C. Manning, December 31, 1946. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.

Letter to Mother M. Loyola from May Q. Garthar. January 21, 1947. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.
“Ship Will Bear Bishop Odin’s Name.” The Southern Messenger. May 6, 1943. Launching of S.S. John Mary Odin Liberty ship, scrapbook, 1943. National Council of Catholic Women - San Antonio Province records, Catholic Archives of Texas.