Ithaca Catholic Worker
Mission Statement

The Catholic Worker Movement was started in 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin.  Today, inspired by their example, Catholic Worker communities around the world and here in Ithaca operate houses of hospitality and communal farms.  We strive to live according to Jesus’ teachings of justice, charity and compassion.  We commit ourselves to the works of mercy: caring for the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, sheltering the homeless, comforting the mourning, burying the dead.  We also confront the works of war, and are involved in faith-based, non-violent actions that challenge social injustice.  An important part of our work is publishing a newspaper to help us educate, agitate, and organize.

We believe that “there is that of God in every person”, that all creation is interconnected and interdependent, and that the sacred lies in even the simplest acts.  We hope to do small things with great love, and to be instruments of God’s renewal of the face of the earth.

We believe that the transformation of the world and of ourselves comes about by 1) serving each other and our neighbors, 2) working together to build trust, 3) studying and praying together, 4) confronting non-violently the wrongs of our society, 5) allowing faith to guide our acts and 6) taking personal responsibility for change.

We meet regularly for silent meditation, communal prayer, sharing food, and to reflect on the teachings of Jesus and other teachers rooted in non-violence.  All are welcome to join us.  We offer shelter and support to people in need.  We carry out actions of public witness, often timed to the rhythms of the liturgical calendar.

A Vision for the Peter De Mott Catholic Worker House

     by D Adams, Heather Scott

Our hope for the yellow house is that our whole community will share a sense of ownership, inclusion, and belonging. We’ve made a list of some things that could happen at the house, and we hope to do these activities with a prayerful spirit inspired by the idea of “Ora et Labora.”
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Mind
Book or study groups; community information center (bulletin board); social teaching study; guest speakers; meeting space for other groups; study the teachings of Dorothy Day & Peter Maurin; book exchange center; sharing skills, e.g. canning, bookbinding, etc.); film series; educating ourselves and others; peace work and resistance
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Spirit
A faith-based place of creative non-violence; practicing Jesus’ teachings; Bible study; Advent/Lent faith sharing groups; silent night for peaceful prayer; Taize; singing;  community prayer; finding ways together to do works of mercy; connecting with neighbors; breaking bread or house church (worshipping together); promoting will & spreading cheer; giving thanks
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Body
Distribute resources to the needy (blankets/coats); growing/cooking/sharing healthy food; offering child care services; hospitality to travelers; a warm and safe place to be; place for meals; place for children to play; place to be together; place to make music; actively resisting war and oppression
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Shared Work Opportunities
Yard & garden care; house maintenance; painting; fundraising; community meal prep; publicity; organizing activities; newsletter/Magnificat writing; help getting wood/food/other resources
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411 S. Plain Street

Get Involved

  • Join us for our weekly meeting on Tuesday evenings: soup at 6 p.m./meeting at 7 p.m.

Donate

By check or cash:  Make your check payable to: Ithaca Catholic Worker, write "Peace Trot" in the memo line, and bring it with you on June 19, or send checks directly to the house: 411 S. Plain St., Ithaca, NY 14850.

By credit card: make a donation online via PayPal button.

Please note that we are charged processing fees on all credit card donations, whereas all the money from your check goes toward the fundraiser-- so we encourage all who can pay by check to do so!