Student Thinks Global, Acts Local

Meet Chris Morales, a graduate student in peace and justice studies. Morales lives in a “house of hospitality,” a term used by the Catholic Worker movement to describe a free residential living space open to people who need a place to sleep.

The Catholic Worker movement was born out of the Great Depression, and is dedicated to non-violence, justice and mercy. It is estimated that there are currently 185 Catholic Worker communities in the United States.

This particular house of hospitality, located in Logan Heights, is not yet fully operational. Morales is trying to find the appropriate personnel to help him run the home, since he currently spends a great deal of time studying or in classes. However, once the house is up and running, it will be able to feed and house 4-6 men per night. Morales suggested that the home might be a place for people finishing a rehabilitation program or for immigrants who have not yet found permanent housing.

After his first semester in the peace and justice studies program, Morales thought he would have to abandon his connection to the hospitality house because his graduate workload did not leave time for much else. However, after careful reflection, he decided to do what he could and find others to help him fulfill the mission.  Instead of closing the door, he made a list of what he could realistically contribute.

He decided to apply the skills he is learning at the Kroc School to communities in his own backyard.

He states, “I feel that peacebuilding can start here in our country, in our communities, and within ourselves.”