"It is certainly God's work," said Father Titus.

As of Thanksgiving, four women and their three children are currently living there. One of the women is an international student at Eastern Illinois University, who is living at St. Hedwig Haus as a Catholic worker.

A young male student at EIU is also in permanent residence at the house, and volunteers from the community are there for three-hour shifts from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mass is celebrated at St. Hedwig Haus every Monday or Tuesday night for residents and volunteers.

"A lady who used to be a resident stopped by recently to express her gratitude for what the ministry had done for her and her sons. She is working, and her boys are doing well, she reported," Father Titus said. "You get caught up a little bit, to hear how grateful to God people are for this place. It is very much a faith community."

An Octoberfest on the grounds of the Newman Center was a major fundraiser for St. Hedwig Haus. On Jan. 26, the Knights of Columbus in Teutopolis are holding a soup supper to benefit St. Hedwig Haus, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Roy Lanham is chairman of the St. Hedwig Haus board.