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Catholic workers

When their journey began, downtown Los Angeles was different than it is today. The bustling revitalization spreading beneath the skyline was only a dream. But for the homeless, the despair was the same.

When their journey began, downtown Los Angeles was different than it is today. The bustling revitalization spreading beneath the skyline was only a dream. But for the homeless, the despair was the same.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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It has been four decades now. The draft dodger is 68. The ex-nun nears 80. They are still married, still centering their lives on the spiritual task of feeding the homeless, still committing themselves to living in voluntary poverty with a dwindling clutch of fellow seekers who believe much of the world has lost its way.

Early morning

Just after sunrise, Dietrich, Morris and a handful of workers trundled to a street corner for their regular trip passing out coffee and donated pastries to a motley lineup of men and women who sleep near the Los Angeles River and underneath its bridges.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Skid row

Jeff Dietrich and Catherine Morris came to skid row to help ease despair. It was 1972 when they joined the Catholic Worker, a lay organization started in post-depression New York by radical Catholic pacifists who sought to live the gospel by aiding the downtrodden.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Preparing lunch

Volunteers prepare lunch for hundreds of homeless people on skid row at the Hippie Kitchen in March.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Handing out sandwiches

Catherine Morris hands out the last of sandwiches their Hippie Kitchen in early March.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteers

Jeff administers to the volunteers who live with them before Victorian Heights home in Boyle Heights before heading out to feed the homeless on a recent early march morning.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Remember the hungry

A printed prayer   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Prayer

Catholic Relief Worker volunteers say a prayer before they prepare lunch for hundreds of homeless people on skid row.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Protesting

Jeff, pictured, and Catherine do not preach, proselytize, seek converts, or hand out the Bible. They tend to pray in public only while quietly protesting.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Prayer and protest

Jeff, right, at a protest.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday was recently observed during a service in the old Victorian House the couple, and several workers, share in Boyle Heights.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Birthday cake

Birthday cake was serviced in honor of one of the volunteers was following an Ash Wednesday service in the old Victorian House the couple, and several workers, share in Boyle Heights.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Ashes

The ashes of a treasured street dog dog named “Sheba” is buried in the garden of the Hippie Kitchen along with the ashes of some of the couples favorite homeless guests who were never claimed by their families after they passed.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Holding hands

“A lot of people, especially people with a lot of power and money, don’t exactly appreciate us,” Jeff Dietrich, holding hand with wife Catherine Morris, says.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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