A little over a year ago, I left my job as the Wichita Area Director for Vagabond Missions to move to Houston to work at Casa Juan Diego. After diving into the writings of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, and learning more about the Catholic Worker Movement, I knew I wanted to start a Catholic Worker House in Wichita. However, having next to no experience in the Movement, I wanted to experience the Catholic Worker life before starting anything in Wichita. What I didn’t know at the time was that I would gain much more than just experience while in Houston.
May rolled around and I hopped on a Greyhound bus at two o’clock in the morning, which I might add was Dorothy’s favorite way to travel. I was quickly thrown into the work at Casa when I arrived. The days were long, filled with putting together bags for the dispensa, assisting the sick and injured that came for monthly help, welcoming new men, women, and children, and practicing my more than rusty Spanish (and non-existent French). If I had any doubts that I would be busy, they quickly vanished.
As the months continued, I became more comfortable with the work life and grew to enjoy it even more. Around October, Mattie arrived at Casa. Mattie was definitely no new-comer, having been at Casa for two stints already. It was clear that she wasn’t just a hard worker, but truly had a heart for the poor. I already knew that Mattie was interested in starting a Catholic Worker, though I’m sure Kansas wasn’t on her radar. One night, in the spirit of our founders, I asked Mattie if she would help me start a Catholic Worker in Wichita. Somewhat surprisingly, she immediately said yes. After a few weeks of some more serious discernment, it had been decided, we were going to start a Catholic Worker.
That brings us to now. I’ve since left Casa and moved back to Wichita. Little by little, I’m learning what the needs are here with the homeless and it’s apparent that they are great. Mattie is still in Houston and God-willing moving here in July. As we take meager steps in starting a House of Hospitality for the poor, I’m assured over and over that the Spirit is in charge. We’ve already received many blessings and support, and we look forward to what God has planned. I thank God for this gift and I pray that it will be sustained and nurtured. In the meantime, we are willing servants, like the handmaid that keeps her ear close to the ground, ready to move at the Master’s beckoning.