1950s

Summary: Discusses the problems with the selling of Maryfarm, the difficulties of construction at Peter Maurin Farm and extends an appeal for assistance. Recounts her trip to Montreal, Canada and her encounters with the various communities and people who live with the poor there. She concludes with a reflection on the values of work and silence. (The Catholic Worker, June 1955, 1, 6. DDLW #687).

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, June 1955, 7. DDLW #689).

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

Summary: News from St. Joseph’s House–a summons from “Holy Mother, the City” for housing code violations, visiting Asian priests, a new subway nearby. Expresses wonder at what can be achieved materially, if not spiritually. (The Catholic Worker, June 1955, 8. DDLW #690).

Summary: Asks for help, reminding us that we get what we need since “God is not to be outdone in generosity.” Notes their Lenten fasting and the results they can expect. (DDLW #685). The Catholic Worker, April 1955, 2.

Summary: The tale of Felicia, a young Puerto Rican woman struggling to survive in the city living in a tenement with her husband and three children. Discovers they are being exploited to over pay for furniture which is already nearly worn out. Decries the exploitation of the poor, especially by other poor people. Concludes by pointing out the beauty of the spring and says “..God is not mocked.” (The Catholic Worker, April 1955, 1, 6. DDLW #684).

Summary: Asks for help, reminding us that we get what we need since “God is not to be outdone in generosity.” Notes their Lenten fasting and the results they can expect. (The Catholic Worker, April 1955, 2. DDLW #685).

Summary: Deplores the destitution brought on by the present social order of capitalist industrialism, describing their soup line. In contrast, lauds the self-sufficient life of Hutterite communities. Supports organic gardening. Concludes the solution to physical destitution is through spiritual means: “We are en-route, on pilgrimage, and our job is to trust, to hope and to pray, and also to work ‘to make that kind of a social order when it is easier for man to be good.’” (The Catholic Worker, March 1955, 1, 4. DDLW #683).

Summary: On a long winter trip through Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana she tells of efforts for the common good of many people and parishes. Comments on the plight of Mexicans and Indians. Keywords: community, liturgy, personal responsibility (The Catholic Worker, February 1955, 1, 4, 6. DDLW #682).

Summary: Exhorts us to learn to see the poor in our midst alongside our comfortable and prosperous lives, especially the migrant and racially discriminated against. Calls for a balanced social order based on distributist principles of ownership. Quotes Pope Pius XII on our personal responsibility to aid the poor. Keywords: voluntary poverty, distributism (The Catholic Worker, January 1955, 1, 6. DDLW #680).

Summary: Visits friends and workers throughout the Midwest noting how each lives out the practice of the works of mercy and “Catholic activities.” Suggests that if we don’t face social issues as they come up we will gradually lose out freedom, “this great gift of God.” (The Catholic Worker, January 1955, 2, 6. DDLW #681).

Summary: Diary-like account of talks and visits to friends in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Relishes reporting on the apostolates of lay and clergy alike. Notes her attraction to the Abbey of St. Procopius. (The Catholic Worker, December 1954, 2,6. DDLW #679).

Summary: Tender obituary of Fr. Pacifique Roy telling of his long involvement with the Catholic Worker–his love of work, reverent way he said Mass, joy in feasting, and how he introduced the workers to the famous “retreat” which “made us feel the power of love.” Writes of his illness and death in his native Quebec. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 1, 6. DDLW #675).

Summary: Appeals for help to continue the works of mercy at the Catholic Worker houses and farms which is a reflection of God’s love for us. Says the ideal is that every parish have a mutual aid center. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 2. DDLW #676).

Summary: Highlights from letters from those connected to the Catholic Worker community. She extols their hard work and struggles. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 3, 8. DDLW #677).

Summary: Recommends many books: novels, history, about saints, social teachings of the Church. Singles out a book for teaching children about God and one about Martin de Porres. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 4. DDLW #678).

Summary: Comments on a potpourri of events–Halloween costumes of the saints, hurricane Carol, pacifist conference, and irritations while saying the community rosary. (The Catholic Worker, October 1954, 2, 7. DDLW #238).

Summary: Criticizes those Catholics who affirmed the Industrial Council Plan that supported co-management. Calls for co-ownership as the only means to alleviate the injustice caused by industry and quotes “Observatore Romano” on its condemnation of capitalism. Also criticizes those who call the Industrial Council Plan the Pope’s plan, and repudiates the claim by quoting Pius XII’s 1952 Christmas message which calls for an agriculture economy. (The Catholic Worker, October 1954, 1,6. DDLW #175).