An extraordinary, difficult childhood: Dorothy's daughter, others recall growing up in the Catholic Worker

National Catholic Reporter, March 7, 2003 by Margot Patterson

Is there advice Catholic Worker parents would give to others seeking to combine family with the movement Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin founded?

Ralph Dowdy said a couple should examine how solid the relationship is between them. "It's always harder on the woman. The woman is expected to cook, to take care of the kids, to take care of the hospitality, and so often the man is off saving the world," Dowdy said.

Start off small, advised Monica Cornell. "Be familiar with Dorothy and Peter's legacy."

Tamar Hennessy said no advice is necessary. "That's the wonderful thing about the Catholic Worker. Everybody does it in their own way. They don't need advice. They work it out."