A Great Summer and a Bright Future
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July 31, 2022What a great summer it’s been! After scaling back our work during COVID, we have come back strong and ready to grow in our mission. First, a recap of some volunteering and farm events, then a look at some future plans for the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm.
On Easter Sunday, we welcomed two lambs from Petra - a ram named Easter (for obvious reasons) and a ewe named Anastastia (which means “resurrection”). Both have since been weaned and are happy in their new homes in Nicholson and Shavertown.
Marian Catholic High School in Tamaqua sent two groups of students to help do some clean-up and fencing projects. They have already inquired about coming regularly over the school year - a wonderful new relationship! We love to see young people on the farm.
A group of homeschooling parents from western PA stopped by the farm after a hiking trip to Ricketts Glen State Park (which is about 15 minutes from us and one of the most beautiful parks in Pennsylvania). We had a long talk about homeschooling and the various program available. Carmina lost her job at Saint Joseph’s College last year during COVID and now runs a homeschool co-op in Scranton called Maria Kaupas Academy, so this visit was rather providential. Since COVID, homeschooling has increased in popularity nationwide and is quite compatible with the Peter Maurin spirit of “creating a new society in the shell of the old”. It is an exciting time to try new things!
St. Therese Church in Shavertown brought back their Spirit of Service Day and came to the farm to help plant the tomatoes. We had a very meaningful discussion about passing the faith on to the next generation, and Carmina was asked to lead a formation day for their catechists in the fall.
Our sheep shearing went very smoothly, thanks to our shearer Hoyt, who is the utmost professional. It is such fun to watch him at work - quite an art form.
With a batch of new fleeces, it was a summer of dyeing fun! We experimented with natural dyes from plants, food coloring, commercial dyes, and even Kool-Aid! Carmina can’t wait to get them on her blending board.
The youth group from St. Jude’s in Mountain Top finished up their Week of Service at the farm. On a brutally hot day, they accomplished a variety of tasks, including cleaning out the run-ins, weeding (always a chore) and harvesting. We ended the day with time for quiet reflection, some faith-sharing, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (thank you, Fr. Philbert).
Future Plans
The future is bright for the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm! Our mission is continually being revealed to us. Many of you know that last year, Larry started a blog called Gaudium et Spes 22, in which he focuses on the theology of the Communio/Ressourcement school - the theology espoused by Peter Maurin and Dorothy Day and influential at Vatican II. It has become quite popular in the Catholic blogosphere and a force for evangelization, similar in vein to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire. The blessings and fruit that we have seen from this work is amazing!
Carmina is often asked if her yarns are available for purchase, so she has finally relented and will be working with her good fiber friend Annette’s Brown Eggs Yarn Etsy shop to do so. Expect a launch sometime in September.
Many of our friends have been generous stewards to us of their time, talent and treasure. We are excited to announce that, after prayerful discernment, we have decided to incorporate a non-profit entity - Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Soon, financial donations will be tax deductible. The non-profit will serve as an umbrella for both the farm and Larry’s evangelizing mission.
This is an exciting time for us, as we see God’s hand gently moving us more radically into the work of His Kingdom. We recall the words of one of our heroes, St. John Paul II, “Be not afraid!” Please pray for us as we strive to place our lives more fully into the care of Divine Providence.
Send us your prayer intentions - we will pray for you!
