1950s

Summary: Meditation on the struggle between heaven and earth, between God and man, and between worship and action. Juxtaposes images of an atomic bomb test, the mentally ill, the Mass and worship, and quotes from writers. Argues for decentralization of government services, most especially for the decentralization of mental hospitals, and personal responsibility over state aid. Explains how all must atone for sin through suffering. (The Catholic Worker, June 1956, 2. DDLW #707).

Summary: Reflects on a variety of items–the gift of a statue of Mary, expensive house repairs, appeal to help Puerto Rican children, the crafts of bookbinding and spinning, encouraging children to explore nature, and the plight of the mentally ill. (The Catholic Worker, June 1956, 6, 7. DDLW #708).

Summary: Appeals to readers for money to assist children from East Harlem to spend a summer at the beach. (DDLW #688).The Catholic Worker, June 1955, 5

Summary: Responds to a newspaper article about herself and the Catholic Worker movement. Disagrees with elements of the articles, in particular the description of those who are served and the workers as “derelicts.” Urges an understanding of the poor that embraces Christ’s message. Discusses Orwell’s and Tolstoi’s views of the poor. Describes the rich life of those who participate in the Catholic Worker movement and contrasts elements of the Worker program to that found in city missions. (The Catholic Worker, May 1956, 7. DDLW #706).

Summary: Expresses deep gratitude for Peter Maurin’s vision and life. Intermingles appreciations of Peter and St. Joseph’s gifts to the works of the CW. (The Catholic Worker, May 1956, 2.DDLW #704).

Summary: Review of a book on hand weaving. Discusses spinning and weaving engaged in by herself, her daughter Tamar and friends. Says using our hands is a way to discover the sacramentality of things. (The Catholic Worker, May 1956, 4. DDLW #705).

Summary: Criticizes a raid on the communist paper, The Daily Worker, as a blow against freedom guaranteed by the constitution. Says it is a sin to keep silent and that “freedom in general is essentially a religious concept.” (The Catholic Worker, April 1956, 2. DDLW #701).

Summary: Attends a conference on establishing Christian communities, especially of families on the land. Admits that Catholic Worker attempts have not been successful because the “vision of community is not yet clear” and the spiritual foundation has not been laid. Recommends Edmond Wilson’s book To The Finland Station* on communities. (The Catholic Worker, April 1956, 6. DDLW #703).*

Summary: Tells the story of their travails with the city courts after being fined for operating “a fire trap.” Reaffirms personal responsibility as the way to care for the poor, decrying “Holy Mother the State’s” taking over such care. (The Catholic Worker, April 1956, 3, 6. DDLW #702).

Summary: Relishes attending plays by Chekov and comments on the need to develop ones talents to combat a sense of futility in this age. Says to be a personalist is to be communitarian and writes vignettes of some of those around her. Notes the need to grow in the spiritual life. Keyword: work (The Catholic Worker, March 1956, 3, 7. DDLW #700).

Summary: Quotes David Hennacy’s distributist ideas–the need for the worker to acquire property, usury, industrialism’s faults, and suggested books to read. Keyword: distributism (The Catholic Worker, February 1956, 5. DDLW #698).

Summary: Enumerates all the things people send, especially clothes, that are rapidly distributed. Laments that “Holy Mother the State” requires them to submit an accounting since they make appeals. Notes the need to keep voluntary poverty in mind and thanks all who send anonymous gifts. (The Catholic Worker, February 1956, 8. DDLW #699).

Summary: Reviews the past year in terms of vocations, marriages and births, including Tamar’s sixth child. Details Christmas celebrations and notes “the duty of delight.” Remembers those who have died. Repeats the necessity to work for peace and disarmament “in season and out of season.” (The Catholic Worker, January 1956, 1, 2. DDLW #697).

Summary: Reasserts the ideal and hope of forming communes and farming communities. Tales of Tamar’s mischievous children and the value of reading scripture. (The Catholic Worker, December 1955, 6. DDLW #696).

Summary: Anecdotes that focus on money, poverty, freedom, encounters with courts, accusations by the city, troublesome guests, and taxes. (The Catholic Worker, November 1955, 2, 7. DDLW #694).

Summary: Chronicles life at St. Joseph’s House: repairs, grocery bills for “the line”, managing subscriptions, endless mail and visitors. Asks St. Joseph to “impel” readers to help pay the grocery bills. (The Catholic Worker, September 1955, 7, 8. DDLW #692).