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
A Haiku: Reflection After Mass at Casa Juan Diego
Parents gathering Candlelight consolation Tearful Eucharist
Catholic Workers and Food
The guests living in our Casa Juan Diego Houses of Hospitality, along with the Workers who live and work there, eat the same food, together. Our meals are simple, nourishing, and lovely at times. Feeding and serving food happens all the time at Casa Juan Diego as an act of generosity and love. Food, however,… continue reading
Stories of Hospitality at Casa Juan Diego
When asked what we do at Casa Juan Diego, I used to respond with generalities, abstractions that didn’t really answer the question. Over the years, though, I have responded more and more by telling stories about what happens when Catholic Workers and newly arriving migrant persons interact. Although each story is unique, they do fall… continue reading
Only Say the Word and I Shall be Healed: Reflections from Casa Juan Diego
Grace came to the Houston Catholic Worker last summer after her graduation from the Catholic University of America. Her fluency in the French language has been a real gift for a number of our guests. In the middle of this past Lenten season, I went on retreat. A priest and spiritual director recommended that… continue reading
Thanksgiving Letter
Casa Juan Diego is a Thanksgiving operation that works at the will and mercy of many people who hear the cry of the poor—and respond accordingly. We cannot give enough thanks to those of you who have responded to the crisis of the increased numbers of refugees who have been coming to Casa Juan Diego,… continue reading
What is New in Hospitality at Casa Juan Diego in Houston
Casa Juan Diego is a a part of the Catholic Worker movement. We depend totally on donations We do not receive government funding. We are a very few people working without salaries. Casa Juan Diego’s hospitality includes new refugees arriving every day. We have been at capacity especially for the past eight months. We can only… continue reading
Casa Juan Diego Christmas Letter 2023
Dear Friends, The miracle of Casa Juan Diego continues. Our houses are full to overflowing with new refugees and their families who arrive each day. These guests have to be fed, clothed, and relocated. We cook a lot of meals. In addition, many, many people come to our food distributions each week. We purchase quantities… continue reading
The Children of Casa Juan Diego in Houston
As we prepare for Christmas, I find myself rejoicing at all the new babies and children that have found refuge at Casa Juan Diego. At times, we have relatively few children, but then immigration authorities will deliver so many that we have almost more than we can handle. Because the work of our house is 24/7… continue reading