Rotary Meeting Thursday, April 23, 2015
 
It was a great day for Roseland Rotary with 17 members, 2 guests, Venus Myles and Alejandro Lopez, and our speaker in attendance in the Waterford Pub.  We actually had more people than eating space!  Luckily some of our gentlemen that finished their meal early gave up their spots and took a seat on the couches for our later arrivals.  Robin surprised the early crowd with cannolis for dessert!
Just a reminder:  bring in your donations for the May 8th Rotary Auction!  Jay reported you can bring your donations to the meetings or directly to Rose.
Bob Sones reminded everyone to vote for Harper Cancer Research Institute during Notre Dame Day.  Save your receipt and you can take $10 off your next Rotary dues statement.  Bob has sent out several e-mails explaining the process.
Cliff reported on the Stamp Out Hunger Day on Saturday, May 9th.  All volunteers should know their shifts for the Granger Post Office.  Remember – no open toe shoes!
Our speaker of the day was Laura Beverly from Catholic Workers of South Bend.  Laura first began serving with Catholic Workers as a Notre Dame student and fell in love with the community.  The Catholic Worker Movement began in New York City in 1933 as first a newspaper started by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin designed to advance Catholic social teaching and stake out a neutral, pacifist position in the war-torn 1930s.  Day attempted to put her words from the Catholic Worker into action through "houses of hospitality" and then through a series of farms for people to live together communally. The movement focuses on basic principles such as shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked.  The organization is a horizontal movement, giving autonomy to each community to design itself.  There are 2 Hospitality Houses in South Bend, one for men and one for women.  Residents are interviewed during a dinner to determine if the house is a good fit for both them and the house.  The volunteers of the home are not equipped for active addictions and extreme mental illness.  However, they work with several volunteers ranging from social workers to doctors to whom they can refer people.  The average stay for residents in the house is a year or so.  By taking on a heart of voluntary poverty, the volunteers with the Catholic Workers feel they can create a more authentic community for the residents and guests.  The house hosts dinner every evening for residents and guests.  All are welcome. 
The South Bend Catholic Workers also has developed a large drop in center called Our Lady of the Road located at 744 South Main Street in South Bend.   Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings they host 75-125 people for breakfast, showers, laundry and clothes service. 
Laura’s dedication and passion for her work were clearly evident.  Thank you for sharing Laura!