Women of Faith: The Radical Hospitality of Waterloo's Catholic Worker House

In the Cedar Valley, where can you go if you have no money, no place to stay, no food?  The St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker House in Waterloo offers a warm welcome, a bed, and food to any person in need, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or citizenship.  It’s one of 200 Catholic Worker Houses and Farms throughout the world, ten of them in Iowa.  Catholic Worker Houses grew out of the work of Dorothy Day, a socialist and pacifist (1897-1980).  Although she was a devout Catholic, the Catholic Worker Movement she founded is not formally affiliated with the Catholic Church.  Nor is it a non-profit registered with State or U.S. governments.  Viewed by some as a religious and political radical, she wanted to keep the Movement completely independent.  Today, many persons of various religions regard her as a saint. On Tuesday, March 19, we will hear about Waterloo’s Catholic Worker House and Dorothy Day from Rose Quirk.  Rose has long been involved as a volunteer and advocate for the House.  She will speak to us when we meet in person on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (2410 Melrose Drive, Cedar Falls). (Sorry, we will not be able to stream this meeting on Zoom.)

To celebrate meeting in person again, you’re invited to bring cookies or other goodies to enjoy with the coffee and tea we will provide.  But even if you don’t bring food, bring yourself; we always have plenty to share.  This meeting, whose subject is “welcoming,” would be an excellent time to introduce friends to Women of Faith of the Cedar Valley.  It will be very good to see many of you again and enjoy, in person, the warm companionship we share!

If you have questions, contact Ruth Ratliff, Ratliff@cfu.net.