The Des Moines Catholic Worker Community,
established in 1976, responds to the Gospel call to compassionate
action as summarized by the Sermon on the Mount. In the spirit of
the Catholic Worker tradition, we are committed to a simple,
nonviolent lifestyle as we live and work among the poor.
We directly serve others by opening the first floor of the Bishop
Dingman House to those in need of food, clothing, bedding, a
shower, a cup of coffee and conversation. We also engage in
activities that foster social justice.
Founded in 1933 in New York City by Dorothy Day and Peter
Maurin, the Catholic Worker movement implements the teachings of
the Gospels by living their promise of mercy, compassion, justice,
and love. Grounded firmly in believing in the God-given dignity of
every person, the movement is dedicated to nonviolence, voluntary
poverty, and the Works of Mercy as a way of life.
The Des Moines community has four houses in the River Bend area
of Des Moines. The houses are a stone's throw apart and include:
the Bishop Dingman House, 1310 7th St; the Msgr. Ligutti House,
1301 8th St.; the Lazarus House, 1317 8th St., and the Phillip
Berrigan House, 713 Indiana Ave. Currently fourteen adults and two
teenagers live in our houses. A legion of friends and volunteers also
contribute toward our mission.