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"I know someone with nowhere to stay..."

"Have you found a place yet? I know someone with nowhere to stay.”  “I wish the Catholic Worker in St. Louis was up and running, I’m aware of a mother and daughter in need of housing for a few nights.”

Ever since we announced our plans to open a new Catholic Worker house in the St. Louis area we’ve received inquiries like these.  

We live in a world where a handful of billionaires control as much wealth as 4 billion people and so people go without housing, without food and water, without healthcare. People die.

In our own city those without housing have slept on the very doorstep of city hall, until they were unceremoniously evicted. Our city government mirrors that of our state and federal counterparts, they do not want to be confronted with these problems, they do not want to see the sufferers of an uncaring and inhuman system, but they are unable if not unwilling to offer any real and humane solutions.

We at the budding St. Louis Catholic Worker know we cannot help everyone in our region, but we hope to play some small part. And we hope that you will play a part too. We take seriously the words of Dorothy Day, the founder of our movement, when she wrote, “Often we feel that there is little we can do. But let us do all we can to lighten the sum total of suffering in this world.”

When we began dreaming of this project we vowed to make it a reality even if it was only the 3 of us. Yet, we had faith that that wouldn’t be the case.

As soon as word spread of our plans we received our first donation, 4 dollars sent to us from an unknown friend in Ohio. We felt so much love wrapped up in such a modest gift. In our local area dozens and dozens of folks have joined us to break bread, to pray for this project, and to affirm the vision of the Catholic Worker. We again couldn’t help but feel the overflowing of love, community, and possibility.

We plan to open a house of hospitality in the St. Louis area where those without food will have their bellies filled, where those without a place to sleep might find comfort, and where those who are lonely may find connection and embrace. We dream that our home will be a space that builds a “revolution of the heart.” A revolution that starts with you and me. Us together with open hands and open hearts.  

We hope to purchase a house in our St. Louis area in the near future but we need your help. If you find yourself in a place of abundance this advent season, we hope you will help bring our dream into reality.  

Financial gifts can be sent to the STL Catholic Worker Community (c/o Sophia House): 4547 Gibson Ave, St. Louis MO 63110. Checks can be made out to “STL Catholic Worker Community,” our GoFundMe, or to Theo designated as a gift through venmo or PayPal @TheoKayser

If you would consider offering a no-interest loan please reach out to us StLouisCatholicWorker@gmail.com. Your prayers are of course appreciated. St. Joseph the Worker is the patron of our movement. Please ask for his intercession as we have throughout this time of new beginnings.   

With Peace and Solidarity, 

The STL Catholic Worker Community
Chrissy Kirchhoefer, Lindsey Myers and Theo Kayser 

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