Keeping alive the work of Dorothy Day

By Sister Alodia Carney

November brings thoughts of Thanksgiving Day. We anticipate family gathering, food, drink, inside the house coziness.

Another scene emerges. Grocery bags of food to give away. Frozen turkeys available from church pantries. An excellent hot meal served Thanksgiving Day at the Rescue Mission. All are welcome. Our national heart is warmed as we willingly share what we have.

Dorothy Day left this world in November of 1980. It was always Thanksgiving Day with her. She wrote "Poverty is my vocation, to live as simply and poorly as I can, and never cease talking and writing poverty and destitution." She is considered by many to be the most influential Catholic of her time.

Dorothy Day's legacy is the Catholic Worker House, which if you look for, can be found in major cities. The outcast and the downcast find it. It provides a welcoming home, bed, board, companionship, with very few questions asked.

Victory Noll Sisters in Denver, Colo., together with Associate Members, taking turns with other groups, served a monthly supper to the household of the Catholic Worker. Groceries were procured, cooked with style and served with grace. Dorothy Day's legacy of caring continues through Denver Associate Members who are ever mindful of needy persons.