Catholic Agitator. - Los Angeles Catholic Worker

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6 / OCTOBER 2011 COMING NOVEMBER 2011: BROKEN AND SHARED, BY JEFF DIETRICH Rather than looking for ways to drive the homeless out of your backyard and into someone else’s, the LA Catholic Worker invites you to become a constructive force for providing comfort to the afflicted. A good way to start would be for you and your community to join with the LA Catholic Worker to feed the hungry. INVITATION TO FEED THE HUNGRY Faithful readers of the Catholic Agitator are no doubt aware that our Wednesday and Friday breakfast street serving is in jeopardy. The police have threatened to confiscate our van and our pots, the health department has demanded that we provide bathroom facilities and running water during the half- hour breakfast (which is simply not possible), and the Blue Shirts (private security hired by the local Business Improvement District) routinely photograph folks as they eat. Meanwhile, our lines grow longer— last week Jeff counted 110 people in line for our simple breakfast of oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, sweets, oranges, and coffee. On August 25 we received an e-mail, which was also forwarded to City Council member Jan Perry, from the head of the Los Angeles River Artist and Business Association requesting that we stop serving in their neighborhood. Our attorney, Bob Meyers, longtime advocate for the homeless, responded with the following letter. Dear Mr. Jerald: I represent the Los Angeles Catholic Worker and have been asked to respond to your e-mail communication dated August 25, 2011. Founded in 1970, the Los Angeles Catholic Worker is a lay Catholic community of men and women which operates a free soup kitchen, hospitality house for the homeless, hospice for the dying, a newspaper, and regularly offers prophetic witness in opposition to war-making and injustice. The Los Angeles Catholic Worker community is part of the lay Catholic Worker movement founded over seventy years ago by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin to “feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner” and offer a gospel-based critique of the dominant culture within the Catholic tradition, but outside the institutionalized structures of the church. As an artistic community, you should have a keen understanding about government repression. Many artists have been at the vanguard of cultural and social change and know first hand the repression that government can unleash. Thus, it was with much disappointment that the Los Angeles Catholic Worker received your communication. We recognize that the presence of homeless in your community can be inconvenient. However, the inconvenience that they cause those with homes is minor in comparison to the life the homeless endure on the streets. Rather than looking for ways to drive the homeless out of your backyard and into someone else’s, the Los Angeles Catholic Worker invites you to become a constructive force for providing comfort to the afflicted. A good way to start would be for you and He had unparalleled skills in the kitchen. Watching him mix dough on the chopping block was like witnessing magic unfold. PAN DULCE: THE SWEET BREAD OF LIFE Rogelio Vasquez was a guest at our house for seven years. He died on August 5, 2011. Former community member Margaret Johnson had a very special relationship with Rogelio, and wrote and delivered the following eulogy at his memorial service. By MARGARET JOHNSON Rogelio was like a father to me. From the beginning of my time here at the house, we had a special relationship. He was often ornery, crotchety, and grumpy, qualities that normally don’t make you gravitate toward an old man. But for some reason, I could not get enough of it, and I would follow him around while he watered the garden, asking questions about the flowers and how he kept the garden so nice. I often would try to impress him with my culinary experiments, and one day I announced I was going to try to bake bread. He barely took notice of my piteous first attempt, but from then on, we had a new connection. Growing up as a thirdgeneration Mexican bread baker on both sides of his family, he had unparalleled skills in the kitchen. Watching him mix dough on the chopping block was like witnessing magic unfold. I would just stare, enraptured, and he would roll his eyes at me and proclaim, “Fijate, mija, fijate!” (pay attention, my daughter) Whether it was to his chagrin, or perhaps pride, that his bread could not be reproduced, I don’t know, but I never did absorb the method for how to make his pan dulce (sweet bread); but it brought us close, nevertheless, these impromptu lessons in the kitchen. About two-and-a half years ago, Rogelio had his first heart attack. It was a huge shock to me, to see this man, of an albeit small stature but with the most resolute, strong and determined personality, lying in a hospital bed. I learned how much he fiercely clung to his independence and hated feeling weak and vulnerable to illness. Even as he was hooked up to IV’s and catheters, I remember him flirting with the nurses like a 21-year-old. Faus- tino and I teamed up to share the duty of accompanying him on future hospitalizations and doctor visits. At this time I also was able to witness the love and tenderness that other members of the household had for Rogelio, with Rudy, Alberto, and Maria paying him visits and bringing him treats. It was difficult for me to see Rogelio suffer through ill health; being strong and resilient was a part of his identity. One of the images of Rogelio that will always be seared in my memory is seeing his small body chugging up the hill to the house, whereas it takes most older folks a slow pace and a few breaks to tackle the hill. Another memory: while I was training for a marathon and struggling to do a pushup workout on the grass by the back steps, he all of a sudden got down with his hands on the ground and his feet raised on the second step and proceeded to silently school me on pushups. This is how I will always remember him—tough as nails and quietly going about his own business, and in rare moments, revealing a glimpse of just how tough he could be. I don’t know anything about his life as a young man or what circumstances brought him to the house. He was sure to have had a full life of joy and pain, marked with wise choices as well as foolish mistakes. I know that as ornery and crotchety as he could be, he showed his love to this community through the garden. It is the first thing people notice when they come here, or at least what most struck me upon my first visit, how lovely and peaceful the garden is. I remember thinking how wonderful it must be to live here, with an environment that puts so much focus on beauty and serenity. Later on, at one point while I was living here, I remember Catherine describing Rogelio’s dramatic transformation of the garden and how relatively stark and lifeless it had been before he arrived. I hold up Rogelio’s spirit of hard work, love of nature, and hidden tenderness, and hope that he has found the same kind of peace that he provided to us in the last years of his life. Ω STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION TITLE OF PUBLICATION: Catholic Agitator PUBLICATION NO.: 0588630 DATE OF FILING: 09/21/2011 FREQUENCY OF ISSUE: Bi-Monthly NO. OF ISSUES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY: 6 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $1 .00 COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION: 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA. 90033-1722 COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER: 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA. 90033-1722 FULL NAMES AND COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OR PUBLISHER, EDITOR, AND MANAGING EDITOR: PUBLISHER: The Los Angeles Catholic Worker EDITORS: Jeff Dietrich, Martha Lewis, and Mike Wisniewski, 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA. 90033-1722 MANAGING EDITOR: Donald Nollar, 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA. 90033-1722 OWNER: The Los Angeles Catholic Worker, 632 N. Brittania St., Los Angeles, CA. 90033-1722 KNOWN BONDHOLDERS, MORTGAGEES, AND OTHER SECURITY HOLDERS Owning or Holding 1 percent or more of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or other securities: None EXTENT AND NATURE OF Average No. of copies Actual No. Copies of CIRCULATION Each issue During Single Issue Published Preceding 12 months Nearest Filing Date TOTAL NO. OF COPIES 9,000 9,000 PAID AND/OR REQUESTED CIRC. Mail Subscription Outside-County 5,100 5,158 Mail Subscription In-County 2,900 2,943 Sales through dealers, carriers, vendors, etc. 0 0 Other Classes Mailed Through USPS 400 417 TOTAL PAID AND/OR REQUESTED CIRCULATION 8,400 8,518 FREE DISTRIBUTION by mail 300 345 or other means, samples, complimentary, and other free copies — — TOTAL DISTRIBUTION 8,700 8,863 COPIES NOT DISTRIBUTED 300 137 RETURN FROM NEWS AGENTS none none TOTAL 9,000 9,000 PERCENT REQUESTED CIRCULATION 96% 96% I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete: Donald Nollar, Managing Editor your community members to join with the Los Angeles Catholic Worker to feed the hungry. Sincerely yours, Robert M. Meyers STUCHLIK, continued from p.2 But I didn’t see John. I looked and I could not find him. It is no strange thing, though, for the folks who break bread with us at the Hippie Kitchen, to come regularly for years and then disappear, leaving us wondering months later what happened to them. Sometimes they show up randomly in our garden or we pass them on the street to find out that they moved to Long Beach or they have been in jail or prison, many times for jaywalking or missing an appointment with a parole officer. Regardless, it is the way of our work serving the poor, living in community. People pass though like water whether we realize it or not. So every once in a while, I wander down State Street, but crooked tree stands alone. I hope to one day see him again. Ω Alecia Stuchlik is an LACW community member. DON KEMEN—R.I.P. Don Kemen, 70, and his wife Mary, began volunteering at our soup kitchen in 1999. They were Tuesday regulars, very dependable, driving to downtown L.A. from the heart of Orange County. Don became our salad mixer extraordinaire, always keeping close watch that we did not run out early or have too much left over at the end of the day. If there was anyone that was precise, it was Don. Not only was he great on salad, but he could carry on a good conversation while working without missing a beat at either. Always smiling and good humored. Don thought it proper to take his break and eat lunch outside, sitting at table having conversation with our guests rather than staying inside with other volunteers. Not only did he and Mary volunteer at our soup kitchen, but together they were involved in jail ministry, visiting folks in the Orange County jail, as well as participating in parish activities. His dedication to serving the needs of others, and to his wife, children, and family, was resolute and laudatory, including his spiritual life, as he and Mary were strong in centering and contemplative prayer. During the last week of July, Don began experiencing pain in his foot and leg. After a visit to a clinic, which ultimately proved to be a misdiagnosis, the pain persisted and grew stronger. He went to his doctor, and after tests, was informed that he had bone cancer. Time was short. In six weeks, on September 12, Don was escorted by heavenly angels into eternal life. He not only is missed, but will continue to be sorely missed. Others can mix salad, but no one is the unique and loving Don Kemen. DON KEMEN— ! PRESENTE! Photo by Mike Wisniewski
ON THE LINE CATHOLIC WORKERS GATHER IN LAS VEGAS Over 100 North American Catholic Workers gathered in Las Vegas from October 7-9 to fellowship, pray, participate in roundtable discussions, party, and participate in nonviolent direct action against the U.S. empire’s war machine. The gathering was hosted by the Las Vegas Catholic Worker, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary. The general assembly presentations were lead by Wes Howard-Brook and Sue Ferguson Johnson, who spoke on “God’s Call Out Of Empire, Within And Without”, which was based on Wes’ book: “Come Out My People!: God’s Call Out Of Empire in the Bible and Beyond” (See the June 2011 Catholic Agitator). Saturday evening included a time for poetry, music, comedy, and story-telling. The highlight of the evening was LACW David Omondi, who recited a rousing, heartfelt and thought-provoking poem he wrote one- and a half years ago about the effect of U.S. capitalism and imperialism on the poor, here and around the world, specifically in his Kenya homeland. After his six-minute rap-style recital, David received an extended standing ovation by all present. CATHOLIC WORKERS ARRESTED On October 9, at the culmination of the 2011 National Catholic Worker Gathering, in Las Vegas, 59 Catholic Workers (22 women, 37 men) crossed the line and were arrested and cited for trespass at the Nevada National Test THE HOUSE JOURNAL The past two months were filled with the joyous gathering of visiting family and friends pouring in that we darn near happily wore out the welcome mat. Daniel Omondi, brother of community member David, rolled in for the last week of the summer intern program. David’s father Ibrahim and mother Diane, also visited for a week in September. Jeff’s young niece Paige joined the parade of family visitors arriving in mid-August, just in time for our sizzlin’ hot salsa dance night at the Autry Museum, courtesy of the Smets, Tom and Jeff’s sister Ann, who also brought their lovely teenage daughters, Melissa, Katie, and Maggie. Kitchen volunteer, María Lopez and her husband Dr. Armando, Eddie Pillola, Beatitude Catholic Workers Dennis Apel and Tensie Hernandez and young Thomas and Rozella, as well Site for protesting against U.S. nuclear policy. Another 14 Catholic Workers and 4 Code Pink members were arrested at Creech Air Force Base for protesting against U.S. drone warfare. The “Creech 18” have been charged with unlawful assembly and obstructing traffic. All have a December 5 arraignment date in Las Vegas Justice Court. The “Creech 18” include: Theo Kayser (21) LACW; Mike Wisniewski (62) LACW; Fr. Louis Vitale, OFM, (79) from California; Fr. Jerry Zawada, OFM (74) from Arizona; Robert Majors (24) from Las Vegas CW; Jim Haber (49) from Las Vegas, NDE; Matt Campbell (24) from Arizona; Huntley Hoffman (25) from Arizona; Nancy Mancias (41) from Arizona; Betsy Lamb (72) from Arizona John Heid (56) from Minnesota; Toby Blome (56) from California; Christine Nelson (64) from California; Mary Moody (47) from Iowa; Brian Terrell (56) from Iowa; Rosalie Riegle (74) from Michigan; Rebecca Lambert (28) Minnesota; and Rachel Winch (27) from Wisconsin. Visit the LACW website to read the official CW Gathering statement. VATICAN ANNOUNCES NUKES UNJUSTIFIABLE Speaking on July 1 at the United Nations, in the shadow of a new, multibillion dollar nuclear bomb facility being constructed in Kansas City, MO, Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Nations, declared: “Viewed from a legal, political, security, and most of all— moral—perspective, there is no justifi- as chant master and dance instructor Rufo Noriega joined us for a terrific evening of dancing and fellowship. Former community members and soon to be newlyweds, Sam Yergler and Allison McGillivray dropped by to attend the wedding of former intern Missy Kickert and do prep work for their own wedding on October 15. Former community member Margaret Johnson cashed in her frequent flier credits earned from trips to Sweden, brave Eire, and Austria to join us for a week, while also attending Missy’s wedding. We warmly welcomed back Jason McGaughey, from south central Illinois. He took advantage of a bus deal and spent a few weeks with us before heading off to the Washington, D.C. occupation and then to join the Wall Street occupation. Incidentally, the community also spent a morning with the Occupy Los Angeles protest. 2010 summer intern, Ross Weaver, decided he had enough of the “real” world and signed on for a year with us. He immediately established himself as the go-to baker dude with a huge batch of fantastic cookies and the most delicious home-made apple pies ever delivered to our annual Sister House retreat. Speaking of which, the Sister House retreat, one of the most well attended ever, was just about as fabulous as they come. LACW historian, former screen writer and now Episcopal priest, Larry Holben, gave a wonderful comprehensive series of talks detailing the roots of the Catholic Worker movement, its core values, the ideas and history of founders, Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, and how all this relates to us today. Everyone left amazed, well-fed spiritually, corporally, and socially. We also were graced by the presence of John McRae, from our sister cation today for the continued maintenance of nuclear weapons.” Further stating, “…the thought of pouring hundreds of billions of additional dollars into the world’s nuclear arsenals is nothing short of sinful…” —ncronline.org BAHRAIN MEDICS SENTENCED TO PRISON Eighteen Bahraini doctors and two paramedics were sentenced on September 29, to terms from five to 15 years for what a military court called “subversive crimes and acts of terrorism” for helping protesters during the Arab spring uprising. All medics involved worked in Bahrain’s main hospital, the Salmaniya Medical Centre, where protesters assembled after being chased away from Pearl Square by security forces. The protesters used the hospital grounds to hold rallies and invited foreign media for press statements. Some of the medics admitted attending the rallies. — guardian.co.uk U.S. CITIZENS NOW TARGETED FOR EXTRAJUDICIAL MURDER With the assassination of Anwar al- Awlaki—a U.S. citizen—via a drone strike, it now is possible for any U.S. citizen to become a target for assassination by their own government if they are labeled (rightfully or not) a threat to national security and far from a war zone. This creates a terrifying precedent. As long as one is suspected of having contact with a “terrorist” group, one can expect to be a target, without a judicial hearing, according house, the Open Door, in Atlanta, Georgia. John immediately won our hearts by preparing the most scrumptious burgers and sausages complete with sautéed onions, bell peppers and mushrooms; he topped that off with down home fried fish and baked tilapia. He enjoyed serving at the Kitchen, particularly serving ice-cold water and shooting the breeze with our guests. Mitchell Jackson, a Bible-slamming preacher’s kid and USC grad hung out with us for a few months; as did Matt Gundlach, fresh-faced from Biola Univ. before heading to Koinonia Farm in Georgia. Franz from Deutchland ended his sojourn in the Americas with a week at our house as well. Jeff and Catherine were able to sneak away for a little R and R in beautiful Cayucas, in northern CA, stopping on the way back at Beatitude House in Guadalupe to attend the court proceedings of Dennis Apel and Scott Fina. All were pleasantly surprised when the judge reluctantly followed the precedent of the Ninth Circuit and voided the odious “Ban and Bar” policy. A policy which had resulted in the arrest and harassment of many fine resistors for merely standing in the approved protest area at the gates of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Congrats to community member and super clinic gal, Ann Boden, on the arrival of her second grandchild Cameron. Several community members, including yours truly, attended an “Arriverderci” party for former intern and kitchen volunteer Sophie Goldstein, soon to fly off to lovely Florence, Italy to study art. Farmgirl Josephine Burns from the frozen north country of Saskatchewan, Canada, joins us for the month of October. She accompanied us in attending the National Catholic Worker Gathering, hosted by Sister House, St. John the to President Obama’s policy. No longer is due-process available to all U.S. citizens. Our First and Fifth Amendment rights have been stripped away, without a decision in a court of law and no court can now decide this precedent’s legality. —salon.com U.S. EMPIRE: MERCHANT OF DEATH The U.S. now controls more than half of world arms sales. U.S. arms merchants enjoyed a dominant year in 2010 as the United States was responsible for selling over half of all weapons worldwide. They now control 53% of the market (up from 35% in 2009). The U.S. sold $21.3 billion in new weapons orders to foreign countries. These figures do not include arms deals made directly between commercial weapons makers and other countries outside of the U.S. government program known as the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) System. — allgov.com U.S. SUED OVER KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE Environmental groups have filed suit in Nebraska against the U.S. government to stop the clearing of grasslands, the moving of threatened species and other work proceeding without official U.S. approval of a planned $7 billion Canada to Texas oil pipeline. The suit is the first of many legal and regulatory hurdles that the pipeline could face. — reuters.com On The Line is compiled and edited by Mike Wisniewski. Baptist House in Las Vegas. Julia Guyer and Carly Guierriero, from the St. Jude Catholic Worker House in Champaign, IL also joined us at the gathering and returned for Sam and Allison’s wedding. Former community member Manuel Hernandez, from Sister House, Casa Colibri, came back to L.A. early for the Sister House retreat and along with long-time friend Gustavo Monzon, a perspective member of Casa Colibri, organized a fundraising dinner at All Saints Episcopal Church in Highland Park—many thanks to all who attended. Community member Rebecca Casas flew to Jalisco to join Manuel and former community member Sarah Fuller for a few months to get a taste of the fantastic work Manuel is doing there. Community member Clare Bellefeuille-Rice traveled home this summer to visit family and friends. She returned home a second time soon after the Sister House retreat under less joyous circumstances on the passing of her grandmother Rice. May she rest in peace and may her family be comforted. Recently, a spate of deaths among family and friends has beset us. We mourn the loss of long-time Tuesday salad mixer Don Kemen and send our prayers to his wife Mary. Prayers also are requested for the soul of Bill Jeanette, long a pillar of the progressive community, including Homeboy Industries, and a great friend and supporter of the LACW. We send condolences also to Raul Perez on the loss of his wife. Finally, as Autumn and Winter draw near, we offer many blessings upon each and all of our supporters and volunteers. House Journal is written by Faustino Cruz. CATHOLIC AGITATOR / 7
Page 1 and 2: “Supper at Emmaus” by Caravaggi
Page 3 and 4: Photo from draketoulouse.com 2 / OC
Page 5: “Supper at Emmaus” by Caravaggi

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