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44-610: The ranch has been owned by three generations of the Kenedy Family. Since the third generation, Sarita Kenedy East and John G. Kenedy, did not have children, the ranch is now controlled by The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation and the John G. Kenedy Charitable Trust. Sarita Kenedy East bequeathed a portion of the land and the mansion that she inherited to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), which now operates

88-651: A fake news website called National Report published an article claiming that a militia of "over one hundred armed La Raza militants" had occupied Sarita, forcing original residents out of their homes and using the town as a base of operations. The hoax report circled on the Internet. Sarita is located in northern Kenedy County at 27°13′18″N, 97°47′21″W. It is along U.S. Route 77 , 21 miles (34 km) south of Kingsville , 61 miles (98 km) south of Corpus Christi , and 74 miles (119 km) north of Harlingen . The United States Border Patrol Sarita checkpoint on US 77

132-474: A bank account that she established that the monk could draw upon. East began to consider establishing a charitable foundation by 1956, due to large deposits of oil and gas that had been found on La Parra, which were expected to significantly increase her wealth. East established the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, a charitable organization, on January 21, 1960, with the assistance of Brother Leo and his contact J. Peter Grace . Initially, she

176-565: A case of mumps, and sister-in-law did not have children, either. East and her brother inherited Kenedy Ranch from their father John G. Kenedy. They were the last of the Kenedys to inherit the Kenedy fortune. Arthur died of a heart attack in 1944. By 1948, Sarita lived alone at the La Parra mansion. East operated her ranch separately from her brother, but there were some shared operational processes. She

220-992: A degree in agricultural management from Texas A&M University , her brother John married Elena Suess and settled at the La Parra Ranch compound. Upon her father's death, La Parra Ranch was split into two separate ranches that were operated separately by John and his sister. On December 8, 1910, she married Arthur Lee East, becoming Sarita Kenedy East. Arthur was raised in a family of horse traders and ranchers. The couple lived and worked together on La Parra Ranch, often riding their horses together, going to cow camps jointly, and working together during roundup time. Arthur, although an entertaining and well-informed man, liked to be alone. He often worked at East's San Pablo Ranch, which adjoined his nephew Tom East, Jr.'s property, while Sarita remained at La Parra. Early in their marriage, East and her husband both suffered from undulant fever , which left them infertile. Her brother, sterile from

264-485: A foundation and a charitable trust, The John G. Kenedy Jr. Charitable Trust, as named by Elena Seuss Kenedy, manages the northern section of the ranch of approximately 200,000 acres. The southern section, about 235,000 acres, is operated by the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, established by East. Another charitable foundation was established called the Sarita Kenedy East Foundation, which

308-462: A two-year study and found that the effect would be minimal. The first phase called for 84 wind turbines to operate on land owned by the John G. Kenedy Charitable Trust. Sarita Kenedy East and her brother John G. Kenedy, Jr. inherited Kenedy Ranch from their father John G. Kenedy. They were the last of the Kenedys to inherit the Kenedy fortune. Kenedy Ranch, with a total of 400,000 acres is now divided into sections, which are managed by two organizations,

352-572: Is located some 14 miles (23 km) south of the town of Sarita. Gary Cartwright of Texas Monthly said that Sarita's only landmarks were a green sign reading "Sarita", a water tower, and a blinking yellow light. Sarita has an elementary school and a Catholic church. Sarita does not have any convenience stores, shops, or cafes. The nearest grocery store is in Kingsville, though there are convenience stores at gas stations in Riviera , 5 miles (8 km) to

396-575: Is managed out of New York City. In addition, after the death of Sarita Kenedy East , the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) was bequeathed around 1,100 acres the main house, chapel, and cemeteries. OMI followed East's stipulation that the property was to be used for religious purposes. In 1973, they established the Lebh Shomea House of Prayer, which means "listening heart" in Hebrew. Sarita Kenedy East Sarita Kenedy East (1889–1961)

440-437: Is now operated by two different trusts. The John G. Kenedy Jr. Charitable Trust, as named by Elena Seuss Kenedy, manages the northern section of the ranch of approximately 200,000 acres. It is the land that John G. Kenedy had inherited. The southern section, about 235,000 acres, is operated by the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, established by East. It is the land inherited by East. Another charitable foundation

484-531: The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Pope Pius XII in 1952, in recognition of her service and donations to the church. Before she died, she donated $ 300,000 (equivalent to $ 3,135,616 in 2023) to establish a monastery in Chile for Trappist monks . Already made wealthy by an inheritance from her father, East's wealth increased dramatically when oil was found on Kenedy Ranch and San Pablo Ranch. She established

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528-553: The 2020 United States census , there were 205 people, 129 households, and 115 families residing in the CDP. Sarita Elementary School (PreK-6) of the Kenedy County Wide Common School District serves Sarita. Students who graduate from Sarita Elementary move on to De La Paz Middle School and Kaufer Early College High School , operated by Riviera Independent School District , which takes all secondary students from

572-562: The Rio Grande . Families, mostly Hispanic people, have worked on the ranch for four generations. Fathers taught their sons to ride horses, care for cattle, rope, mend fences, and go on weeks-long cow camps. Jean Baptiste Brétault , a missionary with the Cavalry of Christ , was the first priest to hold mass in the chapel. The missionaries, also called the Missionary Oblates, served people in

616-496: The 1948 will to be reinstated. There were a number of court cases, up to the United States Supreme Court who refused to hear Brother Leo's appeal. As a result of the cases, the 1960 will was upheld with the bulk of her estate in the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, but it would be operated primarily by Texas relatives and associates. In the end, the foundation honored the spirit of her intentions from

660-411: The 1948 will. The Kenedy Ranch is operated by two different trusts. The John G. Kenedy Jr. Charitable Trust, as named by Elena Seuss Kenedy, manages the northern section of the ranch of approximately 200,000 acres. The southern section, about 235,000 acres, is operated by the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, established by East. Another charitable foundation was established called

704-422: The 30-room residence. It has been called La Casa Grande, Kenedy Mansion, Big House, and the main house. The main house, also called La Parra, was a residence and headquarters for the ranch. Bunkhouses, a dairy, barns, a blacksmith shop, an ice house, a smokehouse, an elementary school, and a commissary allowed the ranch to be self-sustaining. Electricity was produced from a turbine run off an artesian well. To protect

748-670: The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation based upon a will dated in 1960. This varied substantially from a will that she made in 1948 that gave 23,000 acres of La Parra Ranch to the church and the bulk of her estate to two first cousins, her closest living relatives. A suit was filed a few months after her death by Elena Suess Kenedy, members of the Turcotte family, and the Diocese of Corpus Christi. They claimed that Brother Leo had exerted undue influence on East, who they said had become disoriented by medication in her later years. They wanted

792-401: The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, which became the center of decades of court cases between the family and the Diocese of Corpus Christi against a Trappist monk named Brother Leo and J. Peter Grace , who had facilitated the creation of the charitable organization. After East's death, the family claimed that the two men had exerted undue influence against East when her mind

836-462: The Kenedy ranch, was founded around 1904. John G. Kenedy named it for his daughter. Sarita's mother was a philanthropist, particularly dedicated to Catholic charities. She received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Pope Pius XII in 1939 in recognition of her years of service and donations to the church. The Oblate Fathers, an order of missionary men, were guests at the ranch. Sarita had her First Communion in 1902. The prayer book that she

880-609: The Lebh Shomea House of Prayer. Located on a high sand dune in the Nueces Strip (also called the White Horse Desert) and along the coast of South Texas. The main house was built by Mifflin Kenedy at the highest point on the ranch, 37 feet (11 m) above sea level, which has protected it during hurricanes and coastal floods. The ranch is located between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas . The ranch's boundaries are Baffin Bay on

924-399: The Sarita Kenedy East Foundation, which is managed out of New York City. Hugh Aynesworth and Stephen G. Michaud wrote If You Love Me, You Will Do My Will based upon Kenedy's life and the fight for her estate. Sarita, Texas Sarita is a census-designated place (CDP) in, and the county seat of Kenedy County , Texas , United States. It is the only settlement of note in

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968-603: The White Horse Desert, also called the Nueces Strip , which is between Corpus Christi and Brownsville. La Parra Ranch was a regular stop for Brétault, also called Padre Juanito, until his death in 1934. Having bought the ranch in 1882, the era of long cattle drives was over. With the establishment of railroad lines, cattle were gathered and held in shipping pens before they were transported on railroad trains. The ranch began as open land in which rustlers could steal livestock. Sheep could also graze into Kenedy Ranch and destroy

1012-516: The county, and as of the 2010 census had a population of 238. In 1904, the town of Sarita, Texas was founded on land that had been part of Kenedy Ranch . John G. Kenedy named the town after his daughter Sarita Kenedy East . The town served the Kenedy Pasture Company and Kenedy Ranch and its employees. The company store, ranch offices, and ranch buildings have been located in Sarita. Most of

1056-614: The cousin also wanted an accounting of the money that he had taken. Archbishop John Krol of Philadelphia was sent by the Consistorial Congregation that oversees activity affecting the Holy See (Vatican) to investigate. According to Time magazine, the fight for East's estate was "a bitter battle of words and wits that echoes all the way to the Vatican." Brother Leo was dismissed by May 1966. She bequeathed much of her wealth to

1100-466: The family, gatling guns were installed on the roof of the mansion, and there were underground tunnels if they needed to escape. Three generations of Kenedys have lived at the ranch, first Mifflin Kenedy , his son John G. Kenedy, Sr., and his daughter Sarita Kenedy East and his son John G. Kenedy, Jr. Sarita lived on the ranch with her husband Arthur Lee East. Mifflin Kenedy made a fortune ferrying cargo on his steamboats and by purchasing land north of

1144-491: The history of the Kenedy family in South Texas, opened in 2003 in the newly restored Kenedy Pasture Company building. The decline of oil and gas profits caused the ranch to delve into other ways of generating revenue. Revenue from oil and gas fell 50% by 1982. In 1986, Kenedy Ranch was opened up for commercial guided hunting on 22,000 acres of the ranch by The John G and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation. There are limits to

1188-461: The large influx of men who had fought in World War II who wanted to become monks. Gregory, who had taken the name Brother Leo, became a friend, travel companion, and advisor. East visited monasteries around the world and toured South America with him. She donated $ 300,000 (equivalent to $ 3,135,616 in 2023) to build a mission in Chile in 1959. East had also given Brother Leo power of attorney for

1232-533: The largest charitable foundation in South Texas by 1984. Sarita Kenedy East died of cancer on February 11, 1961, in New York City, with Brother Leo at her bedside. She was interred at La Parra Ranch. After East's death, her cousin and Bishop Garriga sued to be reinstated as a member of the foundation. Her cousin got an injunction that prevented access to the foundation's funds by Brother Leo, Grace, and associates. Finding out that Brother Leo had taken $ 1,000,000,

1276-510: The north along US 77. The nearest major medical center is in Corpus Christi. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Sarita has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Sarita first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. Census . As of

1320-533: The north, Laguna Madre on the east, and a division of King Ranch on the south. Of the 235,000-acre section administered by The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, there are several ecosystems, including "120,000 acres of native coastal prairie, 3,000 acres of migrating sand dunes, 40,000 acres of oak woodlands, and mesquite woodlands." Grapevines are wrapped around oak trees. La Parra means "grapevine" in Spanish. Wild whitetail deer and turkeys inhabit

1364-440: The number of animals that can be taken by a given hunter, which depends on whether it is deer, quail, nilgai, feral hogs, or turkeys. Gulf Wind leases 9,600 acres on the ranch for a wind farm. Before the wind farm was installed in 2009, there was a fight between Kenedy Ranch and King Ranch , its neighbor, over the project. King Ranch has been concerned about the danger to birds and their migratory patterns. Kenedy Ranch performed

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1408-463: The property. There are also coyotes, quail, feral hogs, and nilgai . More than 300 species of birds, including subtropical species, have been sighted on the ranch. Surface-level artesian wells are a source of water for the birds. Kenedy began acquiring land for Kenedy Ranch, by establishing the La Parra Ranch and the Kenedy Pasture Company in 1882. It became a large and successful ranch of 400,000 acres by 1895 when Mifflin Kenedy died. At its largest, it

1452-706: The ranch. In the 1950s, East allowed for oil and gas exploration on the ranch. East also owned the Twin Peaks Ranch in Colorado and the 43,000-acre San Pablo Ranch near Hebbronville in Jim Hogg County, Texas ; She purchased them to expand her ranch holdings. Oil was found on her San Pablo Ranch and she began to get checks for millions of dollars as a result. She sat on the Alice National Bank board of directors. East primarily supported Catholic charities. She

1496-506: The range, which made it difficult for horses and cattle. Some intruders tried to use the ranch's animals for breeding. There is at least one man who began to set up a ranch within Kenedy Ranch. Although it was expensive, Kenedy began installing fences in 1868, first at his Laureles Ranch. He also installed fencing at Kenedy Ranch. In 1904, the town of Sarita, Texas was founded from land that had been part of Kenedy Ranch. John G. Kenedy named

1540-457: The residents were somehow involved in the Kenedy businesses, either as employees or tenant cotton farmers from Kenedy Pasture Company. The Kenedy Ranch Museum, with art and artifacts about the history of the Kenedy family in South Texas, opened in 2003 in the newly restored Kenedy Pasture Company building. In an article in 2014, Sarita was ranked the most politically liberal town in Texas. In 2014,

1584-409: The town after his daughter Sarita Kenedy East . The town served the Kenedy Pasture Company and Kenedy Ranch and its employees. The company store, ranch offices, and ranch buildings have been located in Sarita. Most of the residents were somehow involved in the Kenedy businesses, either as employees or tenant cotton farmers from Kenedy Pasture Company. The Kenedy Ranch Museum, with art and artifacts about

1628-413: Was 500,000 acres when Mifflin's son John G. Kenedy consolidated the ranch with other land purchases. The Kenedys first lived in a frame house. The 125-square-mile ranch was located along 35 miles (56 km) coastline. The ranch had up to 800 horses and mules and 40,000 head of cattle. Beginning in 1918, the Kenedys built a three-story mansion. Designed as a Spanish-style mansion, it took five years to build

1672-457: Was a rancher and philanthropist from South Texas. She played an active role in the management of her half of La Parra Ranch, and after her brother had become ill, she also leased and oversaw the management of his half of the ranch. East was called patrona for her role in ensuring the health, education, and well-being of the ranch employees and their families. She was a generous philanthropist, particularly concerning Catholic charities. East received

1716-465: Was established called the Sarita Kenedy East Foundation, which is managed out of New York City. Sarita Kenedy was born on September 19, 1889, in Corpus Christi, Texas to Marie Stella (Turcotte) and John G. Kenedy. She was the granddaughter of Mifflin Kenedy , who founded the La Parra Ranch in what is now Kenedy County, Texas , which was named after Mifflin. The town of Sarita , which was located on

1760-666: Was given at her First Communion and the rosary beads that she carried with her are among the collection of the Bullock Texas State History Museum . An outdoors girl, she gravitated to riding horses, shooting firearms, and hunting, doing "as well as any man on the place". Sarita was educated in Corpus Christi at the Incarnate Word Academy . She made her debut in New Orleans and attended H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College there. In 1912, after graduating with

1804-472: Was involved in the daily operations and was the clear head of her ranch. East often worked alongside the workers, called Kenedenos, who were well-respected for their expertise and positions of authority. She also oversaw the medical, educational, and other key needs of the families who worked for her, for which she received the name patrona . Her brother John's health declined in his later years and East bought John's stock and leased and operated his portion of

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1848-679: Was named an honorary member of the Franciscans and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate . Pope Pius XII recognized her years of service to the church in 1952 by awarding her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. She was also granted membership in the Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem . She began to donate to Trappist Monks in the 1950s, after meeting Christopher Gregory in 1948. He had been assigned to raise funds for new Trappist monasteries, due to

1892-496: Was not sharp due to her declining health and the medications that she took. Lawsuits were filed to contest the will and management of the estate. Brother Leo lost the case against him and all the subsequent appeals, including when the United States Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal. The Vatican had sent Archbishop John Krol of Philadelphia to investigate. Brother Leo was dismissed by May 1966. The Kenedy Ranch

1936-580: Was the only member of the foundation. Over time, she gave increasing control to Brother Leo and J. Peter Grace, until Brother Leo was made the sole member of the foundation just before her death. She also changed the members of the foundation's board of directors by removing a lawyer, a relative, and a Bishop from Corpus Christi. They were replaced by Brother Leo and two others from the East Coast, Rev. Patrick Peyton and J. Peter Grace. With $ 100,000,000 (equivalent to $ 293,273,543 in 2023) in assets, it became

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