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Why Argue About Fr. Michael J. Baxter and Notre Dame?

The last issue of the Houston Catholic Worker featured several articles in defense of the appointment of Fr. Michael Baxter, C.S.C., a Catholic Worker theologian, to the theology department at the University of Notre Dame and in defense of Notre Dame President, Holy Cross Fr. Edward Malloy, who was denounced by the Faculty Senate for this action. We apologize, especially… continue reading

The Way of the Cross of a Migrant

I. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH Jesus, you are sentenced unjustly by your enemies. I know what you must feel. Many of us have been condemned to a slow death, because of thinking and because of taking our inspiration from the Bible and its message. Our children are already condemned to death because they carry on their… continue reading

Hospitality Empowers Battered Women

Marion Maendel came to the Houston Catholic Worker from the Bruderhof movement. She lives and works in the women’s and children’s house. There is a sentiment presently circulating among social agencies and
 church organizations that hospitality is out of style. Cleverly
 advertised, innovative new counseling programs for abused and homeless women are in. Shelter is… continue reading

Hospitality as Martyrdom

Now we really know why no one likes doing hospitality! Here we are knee-deep in doo doo (pronounced poo poo or ca ca in
 Spanish). Nothing works, nothing flows. “Back up” takes on a new meaning–no
 longer reinforcement, but that which went down came back up. It is not a pleasant sight. “Doc” from Crown… continue reading

Is Dorothy Day’s Laetare Medal in Jeopardy?

If the faculty senate of the University of Notre Dame voted today, it would vote against Dorothy Day and her theology. It is hoped that they won’t posthumously invalidate her medal. Catholic Workers are highly incensed that liberal theologians have the gall to call into question one of America’s greatest women and attempt to marginalize her thought because it… continue reading

A Tragic Journey

I am going to tell you my sad story, the Calvary that I suffered in order to arrive in the UnitedStates of America. It was the Way of the Cross. Everything happened when gangs of delinquents in El Salvador killed my first son, Ignacio, who was 23 years old. It was this painful circumstance that… continue reading

No Federal Funds – What Now?

Yesterday a staff member from the United States Catholic Conference was almost in tears as she lamented the tremendous loss of welfare funds to Catholic agencies and to the poor because of the new anti-immigration bill which eliminates assistance to legal immigrants not yet citizens. “What are we going to do?” she cried. “Where are… continue reading

Casa Juan Diego, House of Miracles

I sat in the comedor of Casa Juan Diego and heard a story of a woman who, upon arrival, had been referred to a local hospital. She had massive burns on her leg from the exhaust pipe of a truck. She had ridden several days and nights in order to get to Houston. She had travelled from El Salvador…. continue reading

Is Immigration Catholic?

Q.: Are you in favor of immigration? A.: Absolutely not! We oppose undocumented immigration because it
 destroys families, separates parents and children and ruins marriages. Q.: That doesn’t sound like someone who has had over 30,000 immigrants
 pass through their doors, does it? A.: We pick up the pieces, as it were. After people are… continue reading

Mrs. Santiago Must Die: The Slope is Slippery

Dr. Clifton is a Catholic neurosurgeon who works frequently with people who have head injuries or are dying. His wife, Karen, has helped to supply many practical needs for Casa Juan Diego over the years, and currently provides sandwiches for the men on the streets. Mrs. Santiago Mrs. Amy Santiago was 80 years old and… continue reading