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
Mark Zwick’s Acts of Faith: Shelter From the Storm
October 20, 2017 by
Reprinted with permission from the Houston Press, January 3, 1991 Photography by Janice Rubin Thursday morning, Casa Juan Diego looks like a border Welcome Wagon. Nearly 100 Hispanic women crowd inside the front doors, toting young children. Their dress is shabby, but their faces are bright and smiling. The din of staccato, Spanish-speaking voices… continue reading
A Well-Founded Fear of Persecution: Cruel Setback for Asylum Seeker
October 18, 2017 by
Every day at Casa Juan Diego we encounter a world economic system that is out of balance. On one hand, we live in one of the world’s most affluent cities in one of the world’s most affluent nations. It is hard not to notice that many people in Houston, including us Catholic Workers, have… 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
Alternatives to Economic Libertarianism: Not Just Solidarity, But Fraternity, an Economics of Inclusion
July 29, 2017 by
The Scriptures tell us that Jesus came to bring good news to the poor. We are grateful that so many people support our work with the poor. But as Dorothy Day said, there should not be so many poor in this world that God loves. In a milieu in which the possession of material goods… continue reading
Migrations #1 In Memoriam José Angel Alfano Solana
June 22, 2017 by
We crossed over the border I won’t say how and what can I say of freezing desert nights black sky blazing stars then searing, burning sun tearing into flesh relentless, relentless the walking, and fear then……..running, running as sand clouds appear against the far sky running, running—-and then I lost you and Juan and the… continue reading
Three “Marks”: St. Mark the Evangelist, Mark Zwick the Worker, and the New Baby
May 7, 2017 by
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
God Blesses Casa Juan Diego With New Baby
May 7, 2017 by
Celia came to us from the Bruderhof to join in our Works of Mercy at Casa Juan Diego. As of Tuesday, January 10, there is a new member at Casa Juan Diego. She weighs six pounds but is steadily gaining, has beautiful black hair and perfect little fingers and toes. Cristina’s arrival at Casa Juan… continue reading
Saints and Non-Saints: “To Do” Or “To Be,” That Is the Question
May 2, 2017 by
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
