Dorothy Day

Dorothy Day (November 8, 1897 – November 29, 1980), was a very influential figure in the history of the Mustard Seed. She was a well known social activist and anarchist who, along with fellow activist Peter Maurin, became a pioneer of the Catholic Worker Movement in the 1930s. This movement was centered around the combination of providing aid to the poor and homeless with non-violent direct action. Because of her progressive and socially unordinary perspectives, she was viewed as one of the most politically-radical of many well known Catholic figures. This radical politcal nature lead to countless arrests that spanned from 1955~1973. Overall, she was an extremely important figure in not only the Mustard Seed's development, but the movement that put the radical message of the Gospel into practice. She died in 1980 at the age of 83, and has since been venerated as a saint in the Episcopal Church with her feast day being on the day of her death.

As previously mentioned, the work of Dorothy Day was the biggest inspiration behind the creation of the Mustard Seed. In 1972, co-founder Michael Boover attended a talk hosted by Day, who was widely known as the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. This talk took place at Worcester State College, which is now known as Worcester State University. Day's message of charity and service stuck with Boover and was the leading spark behind his vision for his very own Catholic Worker house. The words "blessed are the poor" stood out an extremely important idea to take to heart. Since then, the mission of the Mustard Seed has been built on the ideas of Day.

"Think what the world could look like if we took care of the poor as we do our Bibles!" ~ Day

Michael Boover

Michael A. Boover, born on October 20th, circa 1950, is the co-founder of The Mustard Seed Catholic Worker. In 1972, Boover attended a lecture at Worcester State College, now University, lead by prominent Catholic and political figure, Dorothy Day. Her words stuck with him and resonated with him. It raised the notion of a society that was built on "works of mercy" rather than of war. This idea was incredibly relevant in the 1960s and 1970s America. Near the time of the establishment of the Mustard Seed, the war in Vietnam was at its height. As expected, Boover was greatly opposed to this war just like many of his colleagues with whom he started the Seed. It seems fitting that in a time of such unnecessary conflict and violence, the Mustard Seed was able to rise from the darkness and bring light to those suffering from poverty.

Boover has been a dedicated member of the Mustard Seed community for 50 years and has given many people a unique insight onto its history. When our seminar traveled to the Seed to learn more about its story, Mike shared this perspective especially in the troubling time that was the early 1970s. It was interesting to learn about those who were strongly opposed to the war and even took drastic measures to avoid getting drafted. It showed resiliency and the commitment to a life in Christ, one that is lead with acts of generosity and love rather than of violence and hatred.

Boover continues to be an active member in his community. He and his wife, Diane, named their house the "Annunciation House". The family would often have people who needed shelter to come live with them, even when raising four children. The children were nevertheless comfortable with bringing many friends home with them, and these people were sometimes homeless, troubled teenagers, or adults who were having crises' that put them out of their homes. They have also housed international students who have come to America for high-school and collegiate education. Overall, it has been many years of hospitality in the Annunciation House, and while there still may be hardships, Boover continues to offer himself to the Seed and to his community.

In addition to social work outside of the Mustard Seed and home life, Boover and his wife have been tending to their own garden since 1986. This garden was inspired by some of the values of Catholic Worker pioneer, Peter Maurin. Maurin's focus on cultivation captures these values and inspired Boover's agricultural work, which you can read more about in the "Cultivation" section of the website.

“I think we see ourselves primarily as a place of welcome. We’re also a community that worships together.” ~ Michael Boover

Frank Kartheiser

Co-founder of the Mustard Seed, Frank Thomas Kartheiser, born on April 8th, 1950, grew up in an upper middle class family on the west side of Chicago. He was raised in a Catholic family and attended Catholic prep school, which inspired him to study at the College of the Holy Cross.

Within these years, men his age were being drafted into the Vietnam War. In his Junior year at Holy Cross, Frank discovered news that his high school friend who was drafted in the war, was killed in Vietnam.

He was appalled with the war and hatred that was taking place, so he dropped out of college to do anti-war work. He, Brenda Norton (who would become his wife), and another Holy Cross student, Shawn Donovan, began the Catholic Worker house of hospitality known as the Mustard Seed. Frank recounted in his interview with Telegram & Gazette, “The war kind of opened my eyes to people being treated differently, and many people in our country were being excluded - the poor, people of color and women.” The Seed began in 1972 in a storefront at the corner of Pleasant and West Streets. Once he began to get into the works of hospitality, he felt like he needed to do more.

Since then, Frank has co-founded multiple social justice organizations. He has helped establish a group of organizations that help improve neighborhoods in the Piedmont Resident area. He also co-founded the Worcester Inter-Religious Legislative Network, and Worcester Interfaith, valuing the improvement of the community of Worcester. Even with all of thesee additional endeavors, Frank still remains a very active figure in the Mustard Seed, and continues to serve his community in an impactful way.

In the 1980s, Frank was encouraged by his friend, David O'Brien, a Professor at Holy Cross, to return home and complete his degree. In 1988, he successfully achieved that goal and received his degree in Religious Studies. That same year, he was awarded the presitigious Ignatian Award at Holy Cross, as well as the Sanctae Crucis award 20 years later in 2008. Frank has also been recognized with the John Cardinal Wright Award in 2002 from the Worcester Diocese.

“Frank is a person of faith and he is a doer. He has adapted to working on tough issues,” ~ Mr. Lew Finfer, co-director of The Boston-based Massachussetts Communities Action network.

Shawn Donovan

Shawn M. Donovan, (July 13th, 1947 ~ February 19th, 2018), was a very significant figure in the development of the Mustard Seed and what it is today. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and graduated from Xavier High School in Concord, Massachussetts. He would later attend the College Of The Holy Cross in Worcester Massachussets, where he would meet life-long friend and fellow Catholic Worker, Frank Kartheiser. He and Frank would eventually leave Holy Cross to join the anti-war movement, as the war in Vietnam claimed the lives of thousands of young Americans. As Kartheiser noted, it felt wrong to be tucked away on Mount Saint James, safe and free from harm while many people his age were dying overseas. That was their main inspiration behind their work in the early 1970s.

Donovan moved to Worcester full time to establish the Mustard Seed along with Frank and others during the day, and worked nights at Worcester State Hospital. The early years were challenging, but nevertheless these people were dedicated to creating a safer and more loving society. In 1975, Shawn moved to New Hampshire where he continued to work in the community and dedicate his time to various building projects and other charitable efforts.

Shawn unexpectedly passed away in the late days of February 2018. A memorial service was held in Hanover, New Hampshire at Saint Rollins Chapel at Dartmouth University in April of 2018. A few months later, his life would be celebrated with a Mass Of Thanksgiving, back where his work with the Mustard Seed began in Worcester at the College Of The Holy Cross. In lieu of flowers, donations were to be given to the Mustard Seed, strengthening the work that Shawn held so dear for so many years.

In the spring of 2018, a special moment was shared between fellow co-founders Geraldine DiNardo and Frank Kartheiser as they remembered the life and dedication of Shawn Donovan (picture below). He was 70 years old when he passed away. And, though he is no longer here with us in the flesh, his contributions to the Mustard Seed helped serve thousands of people across five decades of service, reaffirming his kind heart and desire to serve the people of God.

"Whatever he thought was the right thing to do, he just went after. There was no stopping him." ~ Sarah Bragg-Donovan, daughter of Shawn Donovan

Geraldine DiNardo

Geraldine DiNardo, born February 8th, 1943, is one of the first people to have volunteered once the Mustard Seed opened as a storefront in the early 1970s. "Geri," as she is affectionately known as, quickly became one of the foundational members of the Mustard Seed's operation, working with Frank and Michael to open a "Catholic Worker House of Hospitality" after the storefront burned down. Geri joined Michael in signing for the ownership of a house on Piedmont Street: the new Mustard Seed House of Hospitality.

Geri continued to run the Mustard Seed with Michael, Frank, and others. She spent nights at the Seed with visitors, eating, talking, and simply being with them. Over the years, as everyone from the Seed did, Geri got to know many of the visitors from all the time she spent with them.

To tell their stories, which collectively make up the story of the Seed, Geri wrote a book called Saints and Rascals…a Catholic Worker Memoir in 2016. She sectioned the book to focus on many of the visitors and people involved with the Seed from its inception. From stories about priests who were friends of the Seed, to the story of the visitor Madeline using Geri's toothbrush "just for a little while," the book tells the triumphs and tragedies of all those in the Seed's community, uplifting their stories as her friends in Christ. Geri's sharing of the many stories of the Seed shows her commitment to the community in good times and bad, and across multiple decades.

Like many of the other original Mustard Seed organizers, Geri distanced herself at some points to focus on other things, but has always returned to help out. Today, she continues to go to the Seed to share in a meal from time to time, always with a smile on her face and a story to tell. In addition, she remains faithful in the community, regularly attending Saint Anne Parish in nearby Shrewsbury.

“The ‘old timers’ came back, joined by some new people” ~ Geri DiNardo

Donna Domiziano

Donna Domiziano, born in 1943, is a cornerstone in the development of the Mustard Seed and the running of the Mustard Seed for decades. Donna is no stranger to the beacon of hope and love located on 93 Piedmont Street, in her home of Worcester. In fact, she served for over 30 years at the Mustard Seed with only one thing in mind during her service: to feed and help the people of Worcester and all those who seek refuge.

During her time of service at the Mustard Seed, Donna never received a single dime of payment for her hard work and dedication to the mission of the Catholic Worker movement. In fact, Donna even served as Director of the Mustard Seed for more than two decades, while still volunteering and cooking endless nights whenever her service may be needed.

Many regular volunteers of the Mustard Seed as well as community members described Donna as the "Rock" of the Mustard Seed. They stated that she was always there to lend a helping hand and to help improve the Mustard Seed for a little under half of her entire life. Donna is widely regarded as one of the most important figures and founders of the great house we know today at 93, Piedmont Street.

Donna finally took a rest from her duties in May of 2015, leaving the Mustard Seed as one of the principal members to the growing of such a beautiful mission. From time to time, Donna still stops into the Mustard Seed to lend a hand when needed or just comes to sit down with people and have engaging and heartfelt conversations. Donna is a true embodiment of the Mustard Seed and serves as an example to the Worcester community of what it means to live the mission that the Catholic Worker movement sought to achieve as well as to live the works of the Gospel.

"It’s like a little family. A lot of young adults now have grown up in the neighborhood and we’ve known them from when they were little kids."

~ Donna Domiziano

Rev. Joseph LaBran S.J.

Father LaBran, born on August 19th, 1915, attended the College Of The Holy Cross for a brief period before entering the Society of Jesus in 1936. He went back and taught Math and English at the college before being ordained into the Roman Catholic Priesthood in 1947. In 1948 he began teaching at the Jesuits' Baghdad College in Iraq and served as the official Iraqi delegate to the Internation Congress of The Lay Apostolate in Rome. Many say that it was the political activism of LaBran and other Jesuits that was responsible for the Jesuits' expulsion from Iraq in 1968. He continued his teaching career at Holy Cross again in 1958. Fr. LaBran's activism got him in trouble with the law more than a few times but it was these values that contributed to his prominence as an advocate for many noble causes around the country and the city of Worcester, one of these causes being The Mustard Seed.

In 1999, a group of Holy Cross alumni gifted him a customized golf cart, which allowed him to continue to make his rounds around the campus. Later in 2001, he received an honorary degree from Holy Cross, further recognizing his significance in the community on Mount Saint James. Sadly in 2005, Father LaBran passed away at the age of 89 on March 23rd. Just a few days later, he was buried on campus grounds alongside fellow Jesuit figures who were monumental in the development of Holy Cross.

Frank Kartheiser felt it was important to include Father. LaBran for his values and activism throughout his life and in the city of Worcester. LaBran educated generations of Holy Cross students and stressed the importance of standing up for noble causes and contributing to their communities. His contribution to the Mustard Seed and connecting students to the community are just a part of his legacy. Known for his Stetson hat and thick Boston accent, LaBran was a beloved member of the Holy Cross and the greater Worcester community.

“His exuberant faith and warm and devoted care for others made him a major influence on generations of students, faculty and staff, enriching their lives and bringing many closer to God." ~ Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J, former President of Holy Cross.

~ Worcester ~

The city of Worcester, Massachusetts has seen a large amount of growth and development over the last few decades. Unfortunately however, the city has garnered a reputation as a "down at the heels" community, despite having many thriving businesses and presitigious colleges such as Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the University of Massachussetts Memorial Medical Center, and others. To put it into perspective, a New York Times reporter once described Worcester as “the utility closet of the Northeast.” Additionally, American musical icon Bruce Springsteen began his 1988 tour in the city as "an act of solidarity with a town in transition" (Janssen). But why has it been this way? Ever since the end of the war in 1945, many good paying jobs left the community, which gave rise to poverty and homelessness. As we see it today, these issues are still at large, and places like The Mustard Seed aim to feed those who cannot feed themselves.

One might think that in a country as wealthy as the United States, poverty should very much be destroyed. With that said, it is the unfortunate truth that many people still suffer from economic and food insecurity all across the country. It is almost bittersweet that The Mustard Seed has made it to its 50th year of service, because the people whom it serves should be given a better opportunity through a system that is built for all, but not just those with connections or with college degrees. It should be the job of those in power to make long lasting and more powerful change in this country. Nevertheless, the people at The Mustard Seed do an incredible service to those who need that security, and their work shows that they are standing alongside these people and living with them.

1938 ~ The Catholic Worker Roots

The development of the Catholic Worker Movement in Worcester goes way back to the late 1930s and early 1940s. The roots begin with a group of young people who worked together to form a place known the Matt Talbot House Of Hospitality. Here, people would provide for those who needed help, including people who suffered from food and economic insecurity as well as physical and mental health issues. But something profound happened one night, as a man who had too much to drink came to the house and threw cans of tomato sauce outside on the street in chaotic fashion. When the police arrived on scene and questioned who was in charge of the place, a man named Mr. Brady replied by saying, "no one is in charge here". This idea confused the police, but it directly connects to Dorothy Day's idea of problems being solved not by imposed order but by suffering. To quote Day directly, she says that "the more we suffer, the more we learn. Infinite patience, suffering is needed. And it is never ending." These words are profound, and it shows how this house of hospitality was built on the carefully crafted ideas of Day, as well as the "work of nonviolence" that was the key to the Catholic Worker Movement as a whole.

At this period of time, the fear of communism in America was beginning to spread and started to have a real impact on the acceptance of certain societal norms and ideas. In the late 1930s when Day visited the Worcester community and the Talbot House, people questioned her on the influence of communism in the ideas of the Catholic Worker. But she reassured these people that the work that was being done was more focused on understanding the true nature of man. It was also focused on accepting every man as a unique creation of God, fallen and in need of redemption.

In the years leading up to the war, the energy needed to keep the house up and running was constantly increasing. But the reasons for closing could not be attributed to one single cause. Many people in the community were transferred due to the war-caused shifts in the workforce, as well as many others moving away and starting families. At a time, all of the main group members were married, and had to decide between the poverty of one versus the poverty of a family. Ultimately, it was too challenging to keep the house running, and the doors officially closed in the summer of 1940.

Even though the house closed all those years ago, the establishment of the Catholic Worker roots in the Worcester community proved extremely beneficial in the spread of Peter Maurin and Dorothy Day's impactful message. To really see how important this house was to the development of the movement, the groundwork was laid out for another prominent Catholic Worker House to rise, which would continue Maurin and Day's mission in the city of Worcester for decades.

1972 ~ The Beginning

The Mustard Seed was first planted at 195, Pleasant Street in the heart of Worcester. It officially opened on October 4th, 1972 on the Feast Of Saint Francis. But it was nothing like we see it today. It was located in a small storefront "community living room", founded by two men named Shawn Donovan and Frank Kartheiser. They were both anti-war activists and students at the College of the Holy Cross, just a few minutes away on Mount Saint James in South Worcester. These men saught to bring light into their community through acts of love and mercy. However, there seemed to be no definite goal of the Seed at this time. Shawn and Frank would often sit near the front window and play chess, drawing the attention of people passing the buidling. When they would inquire about what it was, Shawn and Frank would respond by asking, "What do you want it to be?"

Shawn and Frank's befriending of the poor and the opposition to the war had attracted other Catholic Workers in Worcester such as Geraldine Dinardo and Michael Boover. It was this union that began to grow the Seed at a faster pace, and they began to distribute food and clothing to those who came. They also made it a place for people to come and pray if they wanted to. Ultimately, all of this work lead to the workers outgrowing their place on Pleasant Street. They eventually decided to move to a new location after about 10 months of service, as the owner of the storefront location was also ushering them out the door due to a fire. They searched for a new place to go, which would end up a few blocks away at the spot we know today.

March, 1974 ~ The Move

The new house on 93, Piedmont Street was officially opened on the feast of the Annunciation on March 25th, 1974. It was a much larger triple decker house that allowed for the Seed to grow its roots in a much more open area. There was more room for sheltering people and providing all kinds of service for those who came. “The first years were hard,” Boover admits. The financial struggle and the energy that was required to keep the Seed up and running was a challenge. Nevertheless, these Catholic Workers were determined to continue building the community and providing for those who needed help. Though it is the site of the Mustard Seed today, it was not the same building that we know and appreciate. For 10 years, this house served many people in the community, but unfortutely a big obstacle would be presented yet again.

1984 ~ The Fire

In 1984, a devastating fire broke out at the Mustard Seed, bringing the entire 3 story house to the ground. It was a tragic event, but miraculously no one was hurt from the incident. Michael Boover said of the event: “One person, ‘Old Joe,’ jumped from a third story window but made it out alive. All the others got out safely,” Boover says. It was believed that the fire started in a trash can nearby. Though it was a great cause for panic and grief, the Seed would not be trampled and recovery efforts began. It was decided that a new house would be built on the same plot, with the help Bishop Timothy J. Harrington, the dioscean leadership, and many other friends. It was clear that Mike, Frank and others were determined to continue to grow the Seed no matter how difficult the circumstances. The Mustard Seed continued to serve the people in the community throughout the rebuilding process, as they moved temporarliy to Saint Paul's Cathedral nearby in downtown Worcester.

1985 ~ A New Home

Since 1985, the Mustard Seed has continued to serve the Worcester community as a Catholic Worker House of Hospitality. Many of the original volunteers who took breaks have returned after raising their families.

In 1997, the Mustard Seed celebrated its 25th anniversary. This celebration included a gathering of donors, shared meals, activities for children, and other opportunities to join in community. It was a celebration not just of service, but of community forming. To paraphrase Michael Boover, many little bridges were formed because of the Mustard Seed, so the 25th anniversary was the perfect opportunity to celebrate that.

Today, in the 2000s, the Mustard Seed continues to be a force for good in a changing Worcester community. It continues to serve through meals, retreats, clothing giveaways, and even through medical treatment. With the city of Worcester rapidly changing, the Mustard Seed has been a constant, still there for all who may need hospitality of any kind, or just a place to call home.

With the advent of COVID-19, the Seed continued to find ways to reach the community. Meals would be outdoors and with limited capacity at a time, but the Seed was still there as a beacon of hope in the uncertainty of the pandemic.

As the Mustard Seed prepares for its 50th anniversary, many of the same people are gathering to celebrate this milestone. Frank and Michael argue, "why, after 50 years, do we still need a house of hospitality in the richest country in the world"? They're right, but as long as there continues to be a need for charity, the Mustard Seed will continue to serve those who need it, and be a place where community forms.

Over the past few years, the Seed has continued to work closely with Holy Cross and other schools, allowing for a unique learning experience for students. Holy Cross' program known as Community Based Learning, or CBL, has given the students of Mount Saint James the opportunity to get out into the community of Worcester, interact with different people, and learn a little more about the surrounding neighborhoods near the college. We, the creators of this website, can attest to the wonders of this unique opportunity to learn about the Mustard Seed, and feel more immersed in the community, which for some us is still foreign as we are all first year students.

~ Acknowledgments ~

We would like to send a special thanks to Michael Boover and Frank Karthieser for working closely with us, providing relevant artifacts, links, pictures, and most importantly the unique and interesting life stories. It has been a blessing to learn about this extremely special and important house, as well as the good that it does for the community. We would also like to thank all of the volunteers and the founders of the Seed for sticking to it when times were challenging, because the dedication and energy that you all have put in has done wonders for thousands of people around the city and beyond. May this website be a fitting commemoration of 50 years of service and support, and a humble recognition of the work of God's people.

God Bless ~ The 2022 "God, The Senses, And Us" Montserrat Class, College Of The Holy Cross.