We celebrated our 40th anniversary a couple years ago. Some of our buildings should already have received a letter from the Queen, were they British, given their age. Our main building, constructed of steel and concrete due to prior fires, opened in 1987, so it is now 35 years old. In Houston, the clay… continue reading
From Casa Juan Diego to the University of Texas
August 9, 2022 by
Gabby was a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego during the past months. She graduated from the University of Houston Downtown this May and will soon begin studies for her master’s degree in social work at the University of Texas. My philosophy in this world is to maintain hope, in spite of the darkest hours… continue reading
Pro-life After Dobbs – God Will Say, Where Are the Others?
August 5, 2022 by
Prolife After Dobbs – Who Will Care for the Mothers and Babies? The joy of many after the Supreme Court ruling to leave abortion decisions to the states should spark a big response among Catholics to respond to many more pregnant women who will be in need. Prolife groups who give baby furniture, diapers,… continue reading
A Celebration of Juan Diego at Casa Juan Diego Houston
June 5, 2022 by
We were inspired by a sermon on St. Patrick’s Day this year at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (online at 6 a.m. on weekdays) as the celebrant of the Mass reminded us of how the patron saint of a place looks out for the people of that parish or other place named for the saint, from heaven…. continue reading
Thanksgiving Letter
February 2, 2022 by
No government agency guarantees the future of Casa Juan Diego, but it continues to survive, thanks to you all. We have received so much. Of course, the generosity is not meant for us (we are not paid), but for the many hundreds of women, men, and children who stay at Casa Juan Diego, for the… continue reading
Casa Juan Diego Services Disruption
November 20, 2021 by
Monday, November 29 to Friday, Dec 17, 2021 Because of City construction, Casa Juan Diego’s buildings on Rose Street will be closed on the above dates to all but foot traffic on the sidewalk. Rose Street between Shepherd and Durham will be closed in both directions. No vehicles of any kind will be allowed in… continue reading
‘Don’t Worry, This Is a Catholic House’
October 31, 2021 by
Published in Commonweal Magazine. October 25, 2021 Our work at Casa Juan Diego in Houston, Texas, changed abruptly during the first months of the pandemic. Because of the lockdowns and emergency restrictions at the U. S. Mexico border, fewer refugees arrived from Latin Amieica. We were busier than ever, however…. To Continue reading the article,… continue reading
A Summer of Mystery and Encounter
October 24, 2021 by
Josef is a student at the University of Notre Dame who came to Casa Juan Diego this summer as a Catholic Worker through Notre Dame’s summer learning program. Time spent at Casa Juan Diego is full of mystery and unknown. Although there are some set schedules and routines like food distribution on Tuesdays and morning… continue reading
The Garden of Hospitality at Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker
May 9, 2021 by
I find myself planted here at Casa Juan Diego because of the seeds of hospitality that have been graciously sown into my life. One of the gardeners who most recently pointed me in the direction of the rich soil here at Casa Juan Diego was Catherine Griffin, a former Catholic Worker who spent two years… continue reading
A Catholic Place and You Don’t Have a Couple of Miracles at Hand? Well, maybe.
March 31, 2021 by
Not so long ago, we received a call from a hospital in southwest Houston. When the social worker said, I need a miracle, we responded, “We don’t do miracles.” Shocked, she exclaimed: “What, a Catholic place, and you don’t have one or two miracles on hand?” Well, what is it that you need? “We… continue reading
