JustFaith Border Crossing
Visit to Catholic Worker House, Hartford, CT
March 25, 2006
The following are some of the thoughts of the people in the JustFaith program who were able to visit the Catholic Worker House in Hartford, CT on March 25, 2006.
The Hartford Catholic Worker
St. Martin De Porres House
As we enter the final stretch of our JustFaith journey I realize how lucky I am to have embarked on this adventure. My eyes and my mind have been opened by the different readings we've done. Most importantly my heart has been opened through our "Border Crossing "experiences. I have had the opportunity to meet a number of people whose commitment to bettering the lives of those less fortunate has been truly inspiring.
Most recently we met with Brain Kavanagh and Sarah Karas from The Hartford Catholic Worker. The vision of the Catholic Worker was founded by Dorothy Day back in 1933. Today the Catholic Worker movement continues with the same basic tenets of Catholic Social Teaching as well as the works of mercy. Dorothy Day proposed that every parish have a house of hospitality; a place of welcome for those who have no food or welcome.
As we entered the house in the North end of Hartford there was an immediate sense of welcome. The walls were brightly painted, with artwork and posters all around. The house was alive with the sounds of children, who kept poking their heads in the room we were in to see what was going on. The air was filled with the aroma of a home cooked meal. We later found out that several volunteers come every Saturday to prepare a nutritious meal for the children who have come to escape the violence all around them.
Those who run the house are a lay group of Catholics living in community and who practice voluntary poverty. They share their home and their hearts with the neighborhood. As Brian told us his original intent was not for the house to become a safe haven for children. But that is exactly what it has become: a safe place where children in the neighborhood can come to get a good meal, do arts and crafts, play basketball and talk with a caring adult. All while being taught to practice non-violent ways to settle conflicts. For the last 10 years the group has also run a summer camp in Voluntown, Ct., with the help of the Voluntown Peace Trust.
Along with helping the children in the neighborhood they also operate a food pantry, a food cooperative and a furniture pantry. They shelter the homeless and they operate a laundry room for the moms of the neighborhood since there is no Laundromat within walking distance. They also publish The Hartford Catholic Worker six times a year. They rely on the generosity of others to help them do their work.
They are full time unpaid volunteers that do not accept government funding.
It was easy to see that this is a group of people who truly believe it is their life's duty to come to the aid of those who are oppressed.
As we were getting ready to leave I looked around for Sarah. I found her in the kitchen quietly putting together a couple of meals for two men who had just come to the front door.
If you are interested in learning more or in volunteering you can contact them at doucot@sbcglobal.net or at (860)724-7066. Also, look for a copy of The Hartford Social Worker in the atrium of Sacred Heart Church.
Susan Houlihan
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