My dear friend Bobby Guthro died in the hospital Thursday after some months of illness. He inspired everyone he met with his sunny disposition, goofy sense of humor, and fortitude. He faced a lot of challenges but also got a lot done—of the people I’ve known, one of those who fulfilled his potential most fully. He was a Mustard Seed volunteer for 40 years—I volunteered almost 3,000 hours with him, only a drop in the bucket of his own contribution to the Seed and the city.
Category: Houses of Hospitality
Scott Schaeffer-Duffy hit by a car while running; “full recovery may take several months”
Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, “Worcester’s most-traveled, most-jailed, and most notorious political radical since Abbie Hoffman” (Telegram & Gazette), was hit by a car while running Monday evening on Franklin Street.
He and his wife Claire fund their community and ministry to the homeless, the Saints Francis & Thérèse Catholic Worker, in part by baking bread. Their son Patrick has set up an online fundraiser to help with expenses while Scott heals up.
How’s Donna Doing?
She’s indefatigable, that’s how Donna’s doing.
Long-time Mustard Seed soup kitchen director Donna Domiziano is back at her post-Mustard Seed apartment off Vernon Street in Worcester. She’s in a wheelchair, mostly healed up after a fall, now doing lots of physical therapy in hopes of being able to get into and out of the chair by herself. At that point, she’ll have an easier time riding in cars, and will get back to visiting soup kitchens and homeless shelters, helping out and cheering up the many down-and-out Worcesterites she befriended during her 30 years living and working at the Seed.
She’s drawing parallels between her current situation and other unexpected setbacks in her life, times when she refused to give up, instead praying for God’s grace and knowing that, sooner or later, she’d see a new way forward. Totally inspiring, this lady, you should pay her a visit.
Mustard Seed chapel dedicated to Father Bernie
Tonight the upstairs chapel at the Mustard Seed Catholic Worker was dedicated as The Revered Bernard E. Gilgun Memorial Chapel with a mass celebrated by Fr. Paul O’Connell.
The plaque memorializing Fr. Bernie will be hung on the wall above the chair where he so often sat and preached.
Worcester Catholic Worker community celebrates 30 years on Mason Street
Today we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Saints Francis and Thérèse Catholic Worker community.
Folks from far and wide packed the backyard at 52 Mason Street tonight for a mass marking the 30th anniversary of the Saints Francis and Thérèse Catholic Worker community. Mass was celebrated by Father Madden from St. John’s.
It was fantastic to see so many Central Massachusetts lay Catholic communities represented, as well as so many people from other communities of faith and action.
- Saints Francis and Thérèse: The first 20 years
- 25 years on Mason St
- Brian Goslow on Worcester’s Catholic Worker community
- Catholic Free Press: Worcester Catholic Worker House celebrates 30 years
Continue reading “Worcester Catholic Worker community celebrates 30 years on Mason Street”
Crazy weekend in Worcester
Two items from the weekend.
The body of Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev has been at the Graham Putnam & Mahoney funeral home for the past few days. There have been small protests outside from time to time, and a visible police presence. I was shocked when I first heard about this, much less so when I heard that the saintly/cranky Peter Stefan was behind it. The Catholic Worker community is organizing a vigil Tuesday in support of burial of the dead (one of the Christian works of mercy.) More at the end of this post.
T&G:
For some 25 years, Mr. Stefan said, the Main South funeral home has dealt with burying the poor, the unwanted and even murderers. Because of that, Mr. Stefan said he’s even been involved in burials that took place well into the night.
Charles Pierce, Esquire: “Stop making jackasses of yourself in front of the entire nation.”
Dianne Williamson: Innocence, terror lay side-by-side at Worcester funeral home
Also, it’s being reported today that Worcester Bishop McManus “was arrested Saturday night in Narragansett, R.I., charged with drunken driving and refusing a chemical test”.
Bishop McManus released a statement this morning: “On Saturday evening, May 4, I made a terrible error in judgment by driving after having consumed alcohol with dinner. There is no excuse for the mistake I made, only a commitment to make amends and accept the consequences of my action. More importantly, I ask forgiveness from the good people whom I serve, as well as my family and friends, in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Providence.â€
Initial reaction in the diocese appeared supportive.
“Like any brother in our family that this could happen to, I would support him,†said the Rev. John Madden, pastor of St. John’s Church in downtown Worcester. “All of us have made mistakes in judgment. Like he’s said, we can only apologize and make amends.â€
Update: In RI court, Bishop McManus pleads not guilty to DUI
508 #213: Guns and Walmart
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, Scott Schaeffer-Duffy and Brendan Melican discuss and debate an upcoming anti-gun protest at the local Walmart.
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You can watch 508 Fridays at 7pm on WCCA TV13.
No arrests in Worcester panhandling civil disobedience
In an act of civil disobedience against Worcester’s new anti-panhandling ordinances, three Worcester residents today begged for money on the median in Lincoln Square, directly across from police headquarters. The event was held on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which Christians mark with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Gordon Davis, a blind anti-discrimination advocate, held a bucket reading BLIND and represented the disabled. Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, a Catholic Worker who has housed the homeless in Worcester for decades, was dressed as St. Francis, himself a beggar. Robert Peters, a long-time Buddhist meditator, dressed in the robes he wears as a lay Buddhist.
At least four people called the police to complain. According to the supporters demonstrating legally on the nearby sidewalk, the only police response was one officer giving the thumbs-up when he drove by.
In a statement, Chief Gemme said that “Today, between 1 and 2 p.m. there were 21 calls for service throughout the city. None of these calls were regarding panhandling.” (I’m not sure what the difference is between a call for service and these calls. Maybe there were 21 911 issues?)
None of the beggars was arrested, cited, or warned. “This is a victory for Worcester,” said Schaeffer-Duffy.
Womag has more pix. The T&G reports “$14.68 collected,” all of which will go directly to those in need.
Ash Wednesday protest: Repeal Worcester’s anti-panhandling ordinance
On Ash Wednesday, February 13, from 1-2 pm, the Saints Francis & Thérèse Catholic Worker community will sponsor a protest at Lincoln Square in Worcester calling for the repeal of anti-panhandling regulations passed last week. Signs will be held and the attached leaflet will be distributed.
Robert Peters, a long-time practitioner of Buddhist mediation, will wear a monk’s attire and hold a beggar’s bowl.
Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, a one-time novice with the Capuchin-Franciscans, will wear a Franciscan habit and also carry a beggar’s bowl.
Robert will be on the sidewalk, while Scott will defy the anti-panhandling ordinance by begging on the median strip. Both of them hope to highlight the sacred place begging and giving to beggars has in all the world’s major religions.
The members of the Catholic Worker community have sent the attached letter to Worcester’s police chief, mayor, and all the city councilors describing their reasons for holding this protest. Any funds collected will be given directly to those who who continue to feel the need to appeal for help on the streets of Worcester. For more information, call Claire Schaeffer-Duffy 508 753-3588.
Continue reading “Ash Wednesday protest: Repeal Worcester’s anti-panhandling ordinance”
Worcester Catholic Worker community celebrates 25 years on Mason Street
Folks from far and wide packed the kitchen and every other nook and cranny downstairs at 52 Mason Street tonight for a mass marking the 25th anniversary of the Saints Francis and Thérèse Catholic Worker community relocating to the house in 1987. Mass was celebrated by retired Worcester Auxiliary Bishop George Rueger.
It was fantastic to see so many Central Massachusetts lay Catholic communities represented, as well as so many people from other communities of faith and action.
See also:
- The latest Mason Street Musings
- Saints Francis and Thérèse: The first 20 years
- Brian Goslow on Worcester’s Catholic Worker community
The founding members of the SS. Francis & Thérèse Catholic Worker. Back row: Claire Schaeffer-Duffy, Justin Duffy, Scott Schaeffer-Duffy. Front row: Carl Siciliano, Sarah Jeglosky, Dan Ethier.