The Father Andrew Ansbro, C.P., Collection
Knowing theBackground in Order to Understand Father Ansbro's Personal Papers
Father Andrew Ansbro, C.P., died on February 9, 1993. A few years before, he had agreed to organize his papers which dated back to the 1930s consisting of letters, reports, etc. Most of the collection is connected with the Catholic Career Conferences (CCC).
CCC originated as the St. Gabriel's Club in 1942. Its purpose was exclusively to help direct boys and young men in their search for a religious vocation. The meetings were held monthly in the library of Immaculate Conception Monastery, Jamaica, NY. Father also started the St. Jeanne's Club at Our Lady of Wisdom Academy, Ozone Park, NY, and the Patricians at The Mary Louis Academy, Jamaica, NY, where the emphasis was broadened to include spiritual preparation for marriage, nursing, and other lay careers as well as religious life.
The need for a more formal, spiritually-oriented approach to the guidance of many people was accomplished by monthly meetings—separate for boys and girls, "mock" religious professions, and receptions where members dressed in the habits of various congregations. The St. Gabriel's Club developed into the Catholic Center Club and finally into the Catholic Career Conferences, which were co-ed. Both provided meetings on religious life, marriage, and lay careers.
As CCC developed further there were, during each week, meetings of five Legion of Mary Praesidia. These were divided into junior and senior parts and provided spiritual centering. Each week, too, the CCC Legion members visited Rusk Institute and Goldwater Memorial Hospital, both in Manhattan, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Jamaica, NY, St. Rose's Cancer Home, Manhattan, and aged shut-ins in their homes. In addition, they visited the Jamaica Children's Shelter and assisted in preparing members for First Communion and taking them to confession and to mass. Members also ran a pamphlet cart in the Jamaica business district.
Always, Fr. Andrew was available for individual counseling and confession, often to the moment he would come into the Legion of Mary meetings for a short talk.
There were the religious "receptions" and "professions" already mentioned. At these CCCers dressed in garb of particular religious congregations and secular clergy, would briefly describe the spirit and work of those they represented after Father had discussed the nature and significance of the priestly and religious calling. At other monthly meetings there would be presentations and discussions of careers in nursing, law or business.
More elaborate functions were held at monthly meetings. At these there might be a "mock" wedding complete with bride, groom, maid-of-honor, and best man. After there was cake and coffee. These meetings and their focus were well-planned and repeated annually. Fr. Andrew gave special attention to nursing as well as to religious life and marriage.
Annual functions included the boys' retreat, the girls' retreat, and what was called the Traveling Troup. This last involved a bus trip of girls to share a day with a congregation and to observe its work.
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