Peter Maurin, cofounder of the Catholic Worker movement, often announced that we need “to make the kind of society where it is easier to be good.” Well, we have to say that we are experiencing a taste of that society here at St. Bakhita House. Our community has been alive with so many wonderful people doing so much wonderful work.
A huge thank you to all the individuals and groups that have stepped forward to partake in the humble labor of preparing this big old house for hospitality for women survivors. We have been blessed by the help of individuals from so many different walks of life –young and old, urban and suburban, scholars and workers, lay and ordained—it has been truly delightful. We have painted, cleaned, sorted, and hauled which has been a living witness to love in action. And one of the greatest gifts has been getting to know one another!
So many prayers have been answered as generous donors came forth with items that we really needed. We are happy to report that our request for lawn equipment was answered and we now have a beautiful lawn mower and weed trimmer tucked away in our tiny shed. And a friend of St. Bakhita House even arranged for a lawn mow in the interim, which in turn was donated by a generous lawn service. And if that is not enough, a kind individual has come forward to regularly cut and trim our lawn for us. We have also been blessed by beautiful furniture, housewares, and artwork that are beginning to fill the house and our back patio thanks to several generous people of goodwill.
We have made great strides on preparing the house. Our very large kitchen is almost painted thanks to our volunteer cleaners, scrapers, and primers followed by the beautiful work of Fr. Jose and the Men’s Group form the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The St. Dominic Parish Men’s Group have generously stepped forward to commit to several projects around the house and a group of women from St. Dominic will be sponsoring rooms for women who are survivors of sexual exploitation. Our beautiful pantry is near completion thanks to the donation of time, talent and treasure of some very dear friends. The meeting room/library is looking beautiful as we piece together some wonderful donations that reflect the African roots of our namesake, St. Bakhita. We also just hung our “new” Black Jesus crucifix in the chapel, thanks to a donation of the Capuchin Franciscans–does their generosity ever end? I think not.
Our second full-time community member is moving in and plans are underway to formalize our prayer life with our remarkable “priest not in residence” Fr. Bill Stanfield. We have space for four more single woman in our full-time community as we work to restore the conventual roots of this beautiful home. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to explore this opportunity.
Plans are also in the works to walk with Cardinal Stritch University’s Saint Clare Center in the launch of a “School for Saints” at St. Bakhita House where people can grow in faith, knowledge and action. Stay tuned!
If you have a group that might want to visit and learn about Dorothy Day, the Catholic Worker or Catholic Social Teaching please email me to arrange a fall visit. We will also be scheduling our first retreat and roundtable discussion starting in the fall. We have a beautiful space for this that can accommodate up to 18 people.
We will be sending out another Sign-Up Genius for “the work” after next week. We have several groups booked this week and next. Our next newsletter will also include our very much anticipated Open House date. We will not say it is “for sure” lest third time is not a charm, but we feel it’s a good bet! And finally, your prayers and financial support are deeply appreciated. Any donations you may be able to provide toward startup costs would be such a blessing. We step back in awe of the goodness of people. It is clearly “easier to be good” in the community of St. Bakhita Catholic Worker.
God’s peace always,
