St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker House
Don Sullivan Kitchen

About Don:
     Don Sullivan is a unique leader and a role model. As a teacher/coach, he is a credit to his profession, and, as a role model, he has taught students the meaning of Christian service.
     Don was born in Waterloo and baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He became a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he married in 1969. He is currently a member of Queen of Peace parish.
     After graduating from Columbus High School in 1966, Don attended college for one year. He then enlisted in the United State Navy and served for 3 years, 9 months, some of that time in the Vietnam War. Don graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1975.

    During his years of teaching and coaching, Don also mentored students to volunteer at the Catholic Worker House in Waterloo. for 30 years, Don taught them the meaning of Christian service as they cooked and served meals to persons less fortunate. Don also taught his students the value of hard work (and the benefits of earning money) by leading detasseling crews for 40 summers.
     The Catholic Worker House is proposing to name the new kitchen in honor of Don due to his positive and transformative example in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the community. Although Don was surprised and reluctant to accept this honor, we convinced him that such support would substantially promote our goal to preserve and improve our assistance to those in need. 
     Your financial support of our kitchen project is much appreciated. 
   Venmo:       CatholicWorkerHouse @CWH-Waterloo 
   or mail to:  Catholic Worker House / PO Box 1533 / 
​                        Waterloo, IA  50704

​"The time I spent at the Catholic Worker House with Mr. Sullivan profoundly impacted my outlook on service and what it means to be invested in community. Mr. Sullivan embodies the idea that our highest calling is to share the gifts we have been given with others. This message is one that he not only lives out loud, but also guides young people to experience for themselves at the Catholic Worker House."
Dylan Mack, St. Edward School alumni

     His first job was as a middle school teacher at St. Edward School. He taught there for 37 years and then transferred to Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta School for 5 more years of service. Don still substitutes in the schools.
     Don also coached wrestling, softball and football as well as Columbus soccer for 15 years – including a state championship in 2012.

​"When I was at St. Edwards, trips to the Catholic Worker House with Don Sullivan were some of my favorite days. At that age, I didn’t have much experience working with the less fortunate and doing so definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone but every time we made and served meals, I left feeling so grateful and deeply moved. Don always brought such joy to those experiences and the people we served, always sparking up conversation and making everyone feel comfortable. To this day, the Catholic Worker House is one of the places I think of when it comes to donating food or items and that is thanks to Don and the time he allowed us to spend there."
Mackenzie McLaughlin Horbach, St. Edward School alumni

About our Kitchen Project:
     For 40 years our kitchen has been utilized every day. We've served our guests and cooked and served community meals.
It is now in dire need of major repairs: a new ceiling, floor, and cabinets; plumbing and wall repair; patching, painting and wall repositioning. Check out the photos on the left and bottom.

​     Our goal is to raise $40,000 for the repairs and replacements
     Your financial support of our kitchen project is much appreciated. May God bless you and your family.
​
   Venmo:       
        CatholicWorkerHouse @CWH-Waterloo 

   or mail to:  Catholic Worker House
                         PO Box 1533
​                        Waterloo, IA  50704

"Hello all, my name is Tony. And I just joined the Catholic worker movement back in June of this year. What I came here for was temporary and what I have found has been lasting. I found a movement that is steeped in history and Goodwill, a community coming together for a common cause. It has also been very gratifying to help provide a much-needed service that would not exist if not for everyone involved doing their part. Most of all it has given me a new purpose in my life."


"I am very thankful for the community meals that the Catholic worker serves Monday Wednesday and Thursdays plus the miscellaneous giveaways."
Tammy

Click to see our 40th Anniversary video