Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Joseph F. Houser CSC

May 18, 1908 - June 25, 1997

South Bend Tribune 6/28/1997

Rev. Joseph F. Houser, CSC, 89, died at 9:02 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. Rev. Houser was born to Frederick and Katherine (Murren) Houser in Youngstown, Ohio, on May 18, 1908. He was one of 10 children, two of whom became Holy Cross priests, one a Holy Cross brother and two became Holy Cross sisters. He attended St. Patrick's grade school in Youngstown and received his high school education at Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame, from 1922-1926.

On July 1, 1926, he was received into the novitiate at Notre Dame where he made his first vows on July 2, 1927. He began his university studies following the novitiate, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1931. On July 2, 1930, he made his perpetual profession of religious vows at Notre Dame. His theological education took place at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., and on June 24, 1935, he was ordained to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. He earned his Master's degree in European History at Notre Dame in 1936.

During his long life as a priest, Rev. Houser spent most of his ministry in the South. After he received his history degree he taught at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, from 1936-40. Then, from 1940-43, he was engaged in parish work at St. Helen's in Georgetown, Texas, followed by three years as the vice-president of St. Edward's University in Austin. In 1946, he was one of the founding group of religious to go to King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he taught and also served as treasurer and secretary. From 1948-1967, he served as pastor of San Jose Parish in Austin, Texas.

Following this long stint of 19 years, he had a series of short-term appointments as Newman chaplain, assistant pastor in New Orleans and Austin, rector of a Holy Cross residence in Florida, provincial secretary and chaplain to the Holy Cross Brothers in New Orleans. From 1969-1977, he served as pastor at St. Michael's Parish in Wauchula, Fla. He retired to Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, in 1994, where he died.

Rev. Houser is survived by a brother, Rev. Charles R. Houser, CSC, of Jalchatra, Bangladesh; two sisters, Sister Rose Anita, CSC, and Sister Rita, CSC, both at St. Mary's, Notre Dame; and by many nieces and nephews.

A wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame. Visitation will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Moreau Seminary. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. on Monday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame. Burial will follow the funeral Mass in the Community Cemetery, Notre Dame.