1950s

Summary: An obituary for a gentle Catholic Worker–Charles O’Rourke. She notes his persistent work habits, generosity, attentiveness to all, non-partisan demeanor, and praises him as a gentleman. (The Catholic Worker, July-August 1950, 1, 2. DDLW #613).

Summary: Describes the work, inconvenience, and grateful anticipation of their move to a new house on Christie Street. Includes an account of an all-night pilgrimage to the shrine of our Lady of Mt. Carmel. (The Catholic Worker, July-August 1950, 1, 3. DDLW #612).

Summary: Describes the poor they serve and a nearby dilapidated tenement they could acquire for hospitality but which needs extensive repairs. (The Catholic Worker, June 1950, 1, 3. DDLW #611).

Summary: Appeals for financial help to acquire a new house of hospitality. Describes in detail her experience of fasting for peace and reflects on the meaning of fasting, quoting Gandhi. (The Catholic Worker, May 1950, 1, 3, 7. DDLW #610).

Summary: Contends that bigness, such as government, cities, institutions, etc., escapes personal responsibilities. One becomes lost in its array and thus is not responsible for his actions. Toys with the idea of incorporating the C.W., but prefers a decentralized organization. Comments on the power of the novena. (The Catholic Worker, May 1950, 1-2. DDLW #167).

Summary: An invitation to reflect on the value of going to jail as a conscientious objector, for freedom’s sake. Comments on two books about jail and her prison experiences. Relates the indignity of being in jail to the folly of the cross. (The Catholic Worker, April 1950, 5. DDLW #231).

Summary: Juxtaposes images of resignation, poverty, and fear over the H-bomb tests with hopeful words from Julian of Norwich and the Mass of the dead. Says we should not fear death but judgement, and live accordingly. (The Catholic Worker, March 1950, 2. DDLW #609).

Summary: Describes the conditions of striking coal miners who defy both the employers and their own unions. Affirms the need for human dignity in daily work that neither the communists nor the unions nor the employers are providing. Decries the dishonest expropriation of natuual resources. Begs assistance for the striking miners. (The Catholic Worker, March 1950, 1, 2. DDLW #608).

Summary: Shares her conversations with old friends in California on charity, social justice, and Jubilee. Visits priests and bishops in California and Ammon Hennacy in Phoenix. Keywords: Jew, prayer (The Catholic Worker, March 1950, 1, 6. DDLW #607).

Summary: An account of moving everything from Maryfarm in Newburgh to Peter Maurin Farm on Staten Island and the birth of Tamar’s seventh child, Martha. (DDLW #240) The Catholic Worker, July-August 1955, 3.

Summary: Notes labor unrest and growing awareness of inequalities in the social system. Lauds doing what one can, quoting saints. (DDLW #884).  The Catholic Worker, July-August 1933, pp. 1,8

New York Call November 30, Thanksgiving Day, 1916 p. 2

New York Call November 15, 1916 p.2

Summary: A Christmas-time reflection on the state of the world torn by the Korean war and poverty in the midst of plenty in the United States. Points to the Gospel message of peace, love of enemies, and love of one another–“It is the only word for Christmas when love came down to the mire, to teach us that love.” Keywords: pacifism, conscientious objection (The Catholic Worker, December 1950, 1, 2. DDLW #617).

Summary: Tales from each stop of a long journey from New York through Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Tulsa to Amarillo, Texas. Tells of many efforts at the works of mercy, learning to make rosaries, lectures, liturgies, and enduring suffering. (The Catholic Worker, January 1950, 1, 8. DDLW #606).