Karnik repeated those words and added, “Who of us has done that lately? Or ever?”

He sought not to judge. Instead, he illustrated the difficulty of maintaining a place to offer food and shelter on a regular basis, especially as poverty has increased.

Karnik and Scott Malven, a staff member at the house, thanked those present and those in the community who have helped Catholic Worker House to keep its doors open, expand and serve meals three times a week.

“How did this happen? Because of people like you,” Karnik said.

Though there are no plans to expand beyond the current three houses, Karnik and Malven made clear the need is perhaps greater now than 35 years ago.

Malven said this is a busy time of year and the houses are full almost all of the time — two houses serve men who need a place to stay and one serves women — and it serves about 75 people at its meals.

“The poor are just growing. There’s more and more poverty. There’s more and more people in desperate need, homeless, and so there’s a greater need for it than ever,” Karnik said.

Quirk added, “We would be thrilled if we didn’t have to have it, if we didn’t need a Catholic Worker House, but we do.”