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Do You Really See the Face of Jesus in the Poor At the Houston Catholic Worker?

This article was first published in the Houston Catholic Worker in February 1986. It was a beautiful day with the early morning sun streaming through the stained glass windows and glancing off the faces of the packed congregation. Everything and everybody seemed so bright and shiny. Even I felt that way, used clothing and all…. continue reading

“If We Had Any Guts We’d Start a Catholic Worker House”: Reflections at the Vigil Service for Mark Zwick

   We are here to celebrate the life of Mark Zwick and his remarkable example of servant leadership.  Mark laid the foundation for Casa Juan Diego which has fed and sheltered tens of thousands of people over the last 36 years.  He founded a newspaper and with his wife Louise coauthored books illuminating the pilgrimage… continue reading

Why Are We Called Catholic Worker? On the Origins of the Catholic Worker Movement

The Houston Catholic Worker is rejected by some because of its name. Some reject it because of the word “Catholic.” Others because of the word “Worker”. Others say they would never pick up a paper with such a name. The word “Houston” is not a problem: the paper is written for the people of Texas… continue reading

Communion: A New Easy Essay

1.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us in teaching 1397 that the Eucharist commits us to the poor. 2.  Dorothy quoted Fr. Lacouture: “If we cannot see Jesus in the poor man, we surely cannot see Him under the poverty-stricken veils of bread.” 3.  In both the Mass and in sharing a meal with a poor… continue reading

Called to Be Saints: John Hugo, the Catholic Worker, and a Theology of Radical Christianity

Benjamin T. Peters. Called to Be Saints: John Hugo, the Catholic Worker, and a Theology of Radical Christianity. Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 2016, 586 p. Reviewed by Mark and Louise Zwick In this landmark study of Fr. John Hugo and the retreat that had a profound influence on Dorothy Day, Benjamin Peters argues that Hugo’s… continue reading

Pope Francis Calls Dorothy Day a Great American In His Speech to Congress

United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. 
Thursday, 24 September 2015 Mr. Vice-President,
 Mr. Speaker,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Dear Friends, I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. I would like to think that the reason for this is that… continue reading

A Mother’s Dream and a Plea for Immigration Reform

I give thanks to God every day for his great love and protection. For many years Casa Juan Diego has given us refuge and we are grateful for all they do for us. I am a mother who loves her two sons. The older was born in Mexico and the younger was born here in… continue reading

There Is No Line

In the presidential debates some of the candidates have insisted that the only answer to the question of undocumented immigrants in the country is to have them deported or to ask everyone to go back home to their countries to “get in line with everyone else.” The problem with this idea is that there virtually… continue reading

Why Not Canonize Peter Maurin, Co-Founder with Dorothy Day of the Catholic Worker Movement?

Dorothy Day’s cause for canonization was introduced by Cardinal John O’Connor in the year 2000. In the last issue, we published the application form for joining the Guild for her canonization and included information on the process and progress of the cause. We believe that Dorothy’s canonization could have a tremendous positive impact. Her life… continue reading