header icons

Hurricane or No Hurricane—Why Don’t They Just Go To Work?

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

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

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

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

Three “Marks”: St. Mark the Evangelist, Mark Zwick the Worker, and the New Baby

  Julia joined us as a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego after graduating from Tulane University. One day during the fall, Louise told me she was reading the Gospel of St. Luke from beginning to end during Mark Zwick’s last months. I had never done this before so I thought, with someone to hold… continue reading

Saints and Non-Saints: “To Do” Or “To Be,” That Is the Question

by Mark Zwick   This article was first published in Our Sunday Visitor in the 1990’s. The pastor of a nearby parish really got our attention recently in his Sunday sermon. He said that we emphasize “doing” too and neglect “being.” “Be!” he stated strongly, not “do.” We felt guilty and resolved to concentrate more… continue reading

Communion of Saints, Cornerstone of the Catholic Worker: The Heart Is Made for Heroism

The day after Mark’s funeral (Mark Zwick, December 22, 1927-November 18, 2016) Father Rafael Dávila mentioned that our Wednesday night liturgy on that day would be the first time that Mark accompanied us at Mass from heaven. His comment brought to us a new level of awareness of the Communion of Saints, enshrined in Church… continue reading

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

Overflowing Support Will Carry Mark Zwick’s Work At Casa Juan Diego Into the Future

During the days and weeks after Mark died on November 18, many have sent their condolences, their prayers and notice of having Masses said for him or come to visit and personally express their gratitude for Mark’s life.  Many, many came to his wake and his funeral at St. Anne’s. Sixteen priests came to celebrate… continue reading

Mark Zwick: “I Live at Casa Juan Diego”

Stephen has been an essential part of Casa Juan Diego since the very beginning, maintaining our large mailing list, printing and sorting labels and working with the guests of our men’s house in preparing each mailing of the paper, as well as working with the accounting. One of the last times I spoke with Mark… continue reading