Those of us who work closely with immigrants, who share our lives with them at Casa Juan Diego, have had to come to terms with the increasingly cruel and aggressive policies of our government towards our guests. We have gotten accustomed to it, to be honest. I am not sure this is entirely a good… continue reading
Traumatized Migrants Find Healing at Casa Juan Diego
May 28, 2018 by
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” the opening words of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities,describes nicely our recent experiences at Casa Juan Diego. Hurricane Harvey, with the heaviest rainfall in the recorded history of this country, would seem to qualify as the worst of times, except… continue reading
How Mark Zwick Met Dorothy Day and the Seeds Were Planted For the Houston Catholic Worker/Casa Juan Diego
May 20, 2018 by
Mark visited Dorothy Day’s Catholic Worker on several occasions. One visit was with his mother Florence to Peter Maurin Farm on Staten Island in 1956, when they spent the better part of a day with Dorothy. Mark sometimes accompanied his mother to New York when she went on buying trips for her family department store… continue reading
The Sorrow and Beauty of Goodbye at Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker
March 19, 2018 by
More often than we’d like, we have to say goodbye. The work of housing people on their journey has taught me that. But the pain of parting has taught me about the importance of it too. Our houses of hospitality are temporary; they are not meant to be a permanent home. Therefore, inherent to the… continue reading
A Thanksgiving Letter
January 20, 2018 by
Dear Friends, If we thanked everyone as much as we should for what they have done for all the poor of Casa Juan Diego, we wouldn’t have time for anything else. We could not survive without the constant support of people and parishes who celebrate their gratitude by their generosity each month and especially at… continue reading
Christmas Letter
December 9, 2017 by
Dear Friends of Casa Juan Diego, It is difficult to write our Christmas letter this year because Mark Zwick is no longer with us. His spirit lives on, however, and we share some of his thoughts and ours in this letter. From the beginning, Casa Juan Diego has depended on people who believed in Christmas,… continue reading
Hurricane or No Hurricane—Why Don’t They Just Go To Work?
November 21, 2017 by
In the days and weeks after the massive floods in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey, even the harshest judge of the poor could hardly ask, “Why don’t they work?” Water, in some places deep enough to submerge grown men, trapped people in their houses, streets or neighborhoods. No one could go to work. Work places… continue reading
Immigrant Mother Struggles to Reunite with Her Children
November 12, 2017 by
It seems like we are living in the book of Job lately. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires; suffering and loss of almost every kind throughout the continent. In response to these tragic events, our community has been sorely tested on our call to hold as sacred the life and dignity of the human person, to serve… continue reading
Serving the Poor at the Casa Juan Diego Clinic: Entering the Wounds of Jesus
October 1, 2017 by
Holly came to Casa Juan Diego as a Catholic Worker after her graduation as a nurse from Villanova University. Being a Catholic Worker means rising every morning and, like Moses, heeding God’s call to “remove the sandals from my feet,” for truly the place where I stand is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). All day long,… continue reading
Hurricane Harvey and Casa Juan Diego
August 28, 2017 by
October 7,2017 Harvey Needs Each day there has been a long line of people coming in for help after Harvey. It is nonstop for as long as we keep receiving people. In these conversations some hair raising stories come out. Food: Food needs: We need rice. Many people are still without food, especially the undocumented. When… continue reading
