My name is Dwayne Schrunk, is was born and raised in Iowa. I have five brothers and one sister. I have a daughter Sally (24) and a son Irvin (22), Sally is in her first year teaching 3rd grade in Ankeny, Irvin works at the east HyVee here in Ames. I came to Ames in 1987 to attend ISU, and have lived here ever since. I meet Matt in early 2023 and starting becoming involved at the Romero House shortly after that. Before moving into the Romero House, I volunteered for the Saturday and Sunday hospitality hours. I also facilitate a Bible/Catechism study on Wednesday nights at the house. Daytime hospitality can be difficult at times; there can be chaos and a good dose of drama. It can be challenging to stay grounded and rooted in charity and faith. I am most excited about three things: 1) I am very much looking forward to the community of the house, praying, discussing faith, and living with the live-in member of the house. 2) I am excited about the future of the Romero House and how we will continue to expand the mission. 3) And maybe this should be number 1, but continuing to drive the bus (literally). Not only do we give those in need a warm meal, a hot shower, and clean clothes, but we also give them a look at the Catholic Faith we love. The best day for me is when then the van is full of our guests willing and wanting to attend Mass (and we go back to the House and fire up the grill).

My name is Liam Ehrecke and I am a Senior at Iowa State University studying History and Philosophy. I am originally from Davenport, IA where his parents Tim and Cassie still live. I have two brothers: Nate who works at John Deere and Logan who attends the University of Iowa. I was first introduced to the Romero House in the spring of 2022, where I helped put up a fence. From that moment on I have been involved at the house. This last fall I volunteered every Wednesday from 1-4. I loved volunteering and now he will be a live-in at the house as of February 9th. I have always wanted to spend his life serving others, and the Romero House is the perfect outlet for that desire. I can’t wait to be able to give myself to the mission. Some of my favorite things I’ve gotten to do at the Romero House is help someone apply for disability insurance and become a sponsor for someone to enter into the church. Outside of the Romero House, I like to practice my violin and guitar, read, and do outdoor sports (hiking, rock climbing, and skiing).

My name is Taylor. I was born in Des Moines. I started coming to the Romero House when I was living at the Des Moines Dingman House. I feel God has truly blessed me on my journey; both Catholic Workers give me a lot of joy, peace, and love. It is my hope that we continually encounter Jesus in the stranger and the harborless. St. Catherine of Siena said, "All the way to Heaven is Heaven." May we all do 'small things with great love', as 'the final word is love.'

Gabriel was born in Rumbek Sudan in January 1978. By the time he was 3 his parents had to move to Khartoum in northern Sudan because of war in his country. Gabriel is the oldest of 16 children. He has 14 sisters and one brother. In Khartoum, his family lived with his uncle who had found work there for an Italian company. His parents divorced when Gabriel was elementary school age and his mother left with his sisters. Gabriel stayed with his father but his life was not stable and he was not able to attend school so he came to live with his uncle. While in the care of his uncle, he developed a series infection in his leg. When his father came to see him and discovered how ill Gabriel was, he took care of him and gave him the medical care he needed. By then, he was left with a permanent limp. Gabriel’s father realized that Gabriels best hope for a future lay in getting an education. He lived 6 miles from school and he and his father walked to the town where the school was every day. Gabriel’s father worked there while Gabriel went to school. At that time there were many days with little to eat. He had one set of school clothing so every night he washed his close and while they dried, he read the Bible. He read it cover to cover. Eventually, Gabriel and his father decided it was best for him to live with his uncle where he could go to school without having so many challenges. By the time he went to high school, Gabriel was supporting himself by working several different jobs at a printing company. He was sought out to do editing because so few of the workers there could read. He cooked for the staff and served them during the day. Then he went to high school in the evening. He was so good at these jobs that people did not believe he was still a teenager. He was given a salary and benefits even though he was underage. When he graduated, he continued to work there until the company was merged with two other companies and most of the people he worked with were let go. When he was 19 war was again causing great havoc in Sudan. He ended up in Cairo, a refuge. After 3 years of waiting, he was able to come to the United States. He moved to Richmond Virginia in November 2003. There he worked many different jobs. His longest employment was with Tyson Foods. A friend encouraged him to move to Ames. Here he went through difficult times and his papers were stolen which left him unable to find employment or secure a home. During the winter of 2023, he met John and Matt from the Romero House and his life began to improve. He applied to get his papers and recently received them. Since the house started providing day services, Gabriel has been a regular volunteer. He has worked for many people in the area also. In February his moved into the Romero House as a Catholic Worker.

Hello! My name is Steven Kessler, and I am a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. I just finished my first year of major seminary at University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein Illinois, which is just north of Chicago. In three more years, if it is God’s will, I will be ordained a priest. I have had an interesting path to finding my vocation. I was born on June 26 th , 1986, and grew up in Elkader Iowa. I was baptized, confirmed, and am still a member of St. Joseph parish in Elkader. I always thought I was going to be a father, so I never thought about the priesthood. Instead, after graduating from Central High School, I attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and then Upper Iowa University in Fayette where I earned a BA in Criminology. I had thoughts of going to law school, but I instead continued to work at Cabela’s in Prairie Du Chien Wisconsin, where I started working during my time at Upper Iowa. Four years ago, I was on retreat and realized that God was calling me to be a different kind of father. Instead of having a family and being a biological father, He was asking me to be a spiritual father. This is what lead me to seminary and what brings me to Ames this summer. Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” Then told him to feed and tend His sheep. My goal this summer is to be at service to the others and to be like Peter and tend to the needs of God’s people. I am looking forward to this opportunity and believe this experience will greatly aid me in my future priesthood.

I am a founding member of the Romero House and a live-in Catholic Worker since we began in 2020. Living in community at the Romero House has been an extreme joy for me. Spending time together in prayer, formation, and service to our brothers and sisters, you really unveil the intimate ways God works in our everyday lives. From seeing Him in the faces of those who come to the door, to those same guests pointing out the Jesus in you, Jesus makes himself known in this mission quite often. It is just amazing to see how deep community and service to one another can transform our hearts into the Heart of Jesus, the One who pours out love upon us endlessly. I pray everyone might have the chance to encounter Christ here in the raw but joyful enviornment we call home.

My name is Joao Victor Lira. I was born and raised in Brazil, and came to Ames in 2019 to study Computer Science at ISU to which I graduated on 2024. Ever since I came to the Romero house the first time in the spring Break of 2023 to help remodel the main kitchen with my Bible study leader Nic Hein, I knew there was something special about the place: not only embodying that motto of the St. Benedict “Ora et Labora”, prayer and work but also providing hospitality to the homeless and destitute. All in the company of kind, pleasant and forgiving friends! And this is what I look forward to do during the time I will be a live-out this summer of 2024.