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Our Needs at Casa Juan Diego

Jeans or slacks for women, sizes 5 – 15 Underwear for women, low cut, size 5, 6 and 7 Flip Flops for women, children Lentils, rice, pinto or black beans, fresh fruits Adult diapers – medium and large Underpads baby wipes Jeans for men, size 27-36. Silverware for people setting up an apartment Pray for… continue reading

Unexpected Gifts: What I Learned as a Pregnant Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego

From Mary’s fiat to the prophets of the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls His people to “be not afraid.” Yet, despite the blessings of a comfortable life, I am prone to fear. As a newlywed with plans to attend medical school and dreams of building a family, I have spent the last few years in… continue reading

Pope Francis’ Last Urbi et Orbi Easter Message

“URBI ET ORBI” MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS EASTER 2025 Saint Peter’s Square Sunday, 20 April 2025 Christ is risen, alleluia! Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter! Today at last, the singing of the “alleluia” is heard once more in the Church, passing from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart, and this makes… continue reading

Sacrifice, Creativity, Availability in Bulgakov, Mounier, Dorothy Day, and Fr. John Hugo

“Good and evil are not, after all, two equal and opposing forces” (Sergei Bulgakov) Someone recently asked us if we were going to write about politicians, oligarchs, and technology czars, about their speeches and policies that hurt many. Hundreds of people, however, are already writing about that. We are trying to look more deeply at… continue reading

Welcome Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez

When Archbishop Vésquez was Auxiliary Bishop  of Galveston-Houston, he celebrated Mass at Casa Juan Diego for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  He is pictured here at that Mass with Fr. Italo Dell’Oro, who is now our Auxiliary Bishop. All of us at Casa Juan Diego add our voices to the many who welcome… continue reading

Catholic Worker Principles and the Precarity of Migrants

I live in two worlds. For the past 16 years, I have been serving immigrant communities at the Houston Catholic Worker, offering the Works of Mercy, both Corporal[1] and Spiritual[2] to all that cross our door. My day job is directing the social work program at a local university. This is a juggling act—the changing… continue reading

The Legacy of Pope Francis

UPDATE: We mourn the passing of Pope Francis. Praying to the Holy Spirit for the selection of a good man at the  conclave.   As we write, Pope Francis is very ill in the hospital with double pneumonia. The world is praying for him. We recall that on March 13, 2013, when the white smoke… continue reading

A Haiku: Reflection After Mass at Casa Juan Diego

Parents gathering Candlelight consolation Tearful Eucharist              

Thy Will be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven: Eschatology and Our World Today

When I became a Catholic many years ago, somehow I got the idea that earthly concerns were not very important in the light of eternity. My instruction in the faith did not teach that, but the very idea of the transcendent reality of God and life someday in the beatific vision led my mind to… continue reading

Living Beyond Politics: A Post-Election Reflection On Dorothy Day

Last fall, political pundits of various stripes informed us that the upcoming 2024 election would be the most important one of our lifetimes. Never mind that we have been told this every presidential election year in this century—this time it was really true. Many of us heeded the warning, absorbed ourselves in the promises of… continue reading