About CNVS : Mader Award : Current

2007 Mader Award Recipient:  Catholic Worker Movement

The Catholic Worker Movement, founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, is grounded in a firm belief in the God-given dignity of every human person.  Today over 185 Catholic Worker communities remain committed to nonviolence, voluntary poverty, prayer, and hospitality for the homeless, exiled, hungry, and forsaken. Catholic Workers continue to protest injustice, war, racism, and violence of all forms.

Catholic Workers live a simple lifestyle in community, serve the poor, and resist war and social injustice. Most are grounded in the Gospel, prayer, and the Catholic faith, although some houses are interfaith. Each Catholic Worker house is independent and there is no "Catholic Worker headquarters.”

Income for Catholic Worker houses can come from outside jobs held by members or by cottage industries developed by the community, but most houses survive on donations. Every Catholic Worker house can use donations of money and/or specific items like food, clothing, etc.  Most also welcome volunteers from the surrounding community to help with the work.

Catholic Worker communities that are current members of CNVS include: Andre House of Hospitality (Phoenix, AZ); Burning Bush: Center for the Working Poor (Los Angeles, CA); Isaiah House – Orange County Catholic Worker (Santa Ana, CA); Su Casa Catholic Worker Community (Chicago, IL); Trinity House Catholic Worker (Albuquerque, NM); and Casa Juan Diego (Houston, TX).

Because of the Catholic Worker Movement’s commitment to promoting faith-based volunteerism, both by members of the community and by others who assist them, the Board of Directors of Catholic Network of Volunteer Service has chosen them to receive the 2007 Father George Mader Award.  This award, named in honor of CNVS’ founder, has been given annually since 1988 to individuals or organizations that are exemplary in fostering faith-based volunteer service.  Previous recipients have included: Jesuit Volunteer Corps (2005); Mennonite Mission Network (2004); Msgr. Ralph Beiting (2000); Maryknoll Family and Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities (1999); University of Notre Dame and Villanova University (1996); Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions (1990); and Catholic Church Extension Society (1989).

Click here to view past Mader Award recipients