The Omaha Catholic Worker Community (OCW) Vision Aims to provide a Hospitality House for up to five (5) Homeless Men.  We strive to accomplish our Vision in a 3+ bedroom home that is complete with a living room, a dining room, chapel space, 2 restrooms, a shower, office space, a full basement and a garden.  As a Means of providing Hospitality it hopes to share faith, assist each other with our burdens, and increase the quality life for our guests, our community and ourselves by a prayerful and active attention to The Works of Mercy.

The Works of Mercy are an abiding norm for the Catholic Worker Movement.  Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, the Catholic Worker co-founders, lived lives of “active love” built on the precepts of the Works of Mercy.

Community Membership Candidates

The OCW is currently looking for 2 single Men, 2 single Women or a combination thereof to share the Community Vision.  A community member assumes the dual responsibilities of Serving Guests and Developing Community.  The space is limited and some community members may share a room with our guests.  Before applying, a community member candidate should reflect on themselves to see if they have the Personal Gifts & Strengths needed to fulfill the duties and graces of each dimension of service.

Personal Gifts & Strengths – In Developing Community*

• Ability to work out solutions in a nonviolent way
• Ability to maintain the rules of the community
• Ability to encourage cooperation and reduce conflict
• Ability to ask a guest to seek another place to live, if necessary
• Ability to work at community building and consensus
• Ability to share your personal vision and prayer life with others
• Ability to bring joy, comfort, personalized attention to others in need

* Please keep the fact that living and/or serving at the OCW is at personal sacrifice and is an intentional sharing of life together while you reflect upon possible membership.

Personal Gifts & Strengths – In Serving Guests

• Ability to cook (or eagerness to learn)
• Ability to supervise guests
• Ability to maintain the rules, boundaries, and order of the community
• Ability to work out solutions in nonviolent ways
• Ability to encourage cooperation and reduce conflict when necessary
• Ability to work with mental illness in guests
• Ability to work with substance abuse in guests
• Ability to work at community building and consensus
• Ability to be present to our guests in meaningful and spiritual ways

Talents & Expectations Needed:

• Prayerful/Nonviolent Spirit
• Pioneering attitude
• Desire to create a new community
• Laughter and fun spirit
• Gardening skills
• Cooking skills
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal relationship skills
• Desire to serve the poor
• Vocations for Community relations
• Interest in prayer and Catholic Worker spirituality
• Possibility of creating Clarification Thought gatherings
• A consistent presence on Thursday Nite Liturgy Gatherings
• Consistent presence for morning prayer Monday – Friday at 730am
• Periodic Nonviolent witness at OFFUT AFB/ Home of Stratcom

What we can offer:

• Residential Membership
  • Free room and board (including meals) in exchange for a commitment to living full time at the OCW
  • Part time Jobs outside of community life are possible
  • Part time classes at Creighton University or UNO are a possible
• Nonresidential & Internship Memberships
  • A place to grow in Community
  • A place to grow in Grace
  • A place to grow in Spirituality
  • A place to call a second home

One does not need to be Catholic, but it helps. This Community is a Christian faith and spirituality based community trying to live the teachings and gospel of Jesus the Nonviolent Christ, and do the Works of Mercy and Resistance of Evil.  We welcome you to engage us with questions, comments, and/or concerns as you discern your intentions with the Omaha Catholic Worker.  It is with great hope that we will be able to start and carry on a great service in the traditions of Mercy together.

Pax et Bonum.

Jerry Ebner

Br. Jason McGuire, OSF

Omaha Catholic Worker
1104 N. 24th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
cwomaha@gmail.com
402- 502- 5887

About Mark Van Steenwyk

Mark Van Steenwyk is a member of Missio Dei. He is a speaker, writer, educator, and grassroots organizer. With the support of the Central Plains Mennonite Conference, he travels to radical and intentional communities around the country to help network and offer support.