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Our Mission and goals
Members of The Thomas Merton Center strive to develop a spirituality based on Jesus Christ's message of love, compassion and forgiveness and to live his message in today's world. The TMC community seeks to attract those who are on a quest for a deeper spiritual life and invite them to share in this vision.
- To foster a variety of ways by which Catholics and others may develop a deeper spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ and, through him, with God.
- To augment, support and lead the development of ecumenical spirituality, bringing together Christians and non-Christians in areas of common interest and values.
- To build a lay community based on inclusivity and consensus.
- To develop and enhance the faith life of families.
Model of Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk of the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Kentucky. Merton was internationally known for his religious profundity and insightful reflection, his interest in interfaith and social action work on the problems and possibilities of the world. Merton's courageous spirituality was the model for what we intend to do and be at The Thomas Merton Center.
Legal Organization
The Thomas Merton Center is organized as a private, tax-exempt, non-profit, independent religious education organization, incorporated under the laws of the State of California. A Board of Directors has legal and fiduciary responsibility for the organization, accountable to the applicable state and federal laws, to its Bylaws, its Mission Statement and its registered members. Though Catholic in its origins, intent, and liturgies, The Thomas Merton Center is an independent religious educational organization, not legally affiliated with any church.
Membership
Membership in The Thomas Merton Center is open to everyone without restriction, as are all liturgies, retreats, and spiritual education programs. Nominal membership dues are paid annually. -
Membership Application
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What's New
- Updated Board Minutes Section 3/17/19 see: (Home > Board)
- Latest TMC Bulletin was posted on 6/24/19.
- Added Information on ITMS convention in Santa Clara, CA- (Save The Date)
- Added latest Steeple Talk in Bulletin section 4/30/19
- Updated celebrant schedule 3/30/19 Thru May 2019
- New Photos of the 2019 annual meeting (Here)
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Of Interest
Bishop Roland Pierre DuMaine
Founding bishop of the Diocese of San Jose, California R. P. DuMaine died on June 13. Bishop DuMaine was presiding bishop during the founding of the TMC. Condolences are extended to his family. The following is quoted from the San Jose Mercury News,
"Bishop DuMaine will long be remembered for his dedication to the teachings and principles put forth by the Second Vatican Council. Among these were the call to holiness that is extended to all the baptized, the inclusion of lay and religious women and men in decision-making positions within the Church, and a commitment to Catholic Education and Formation in all of its forms."
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph in San Jose on Thursday, June 27, at 10:00 am.
To read Bishop DuMaine's obituray in The SJMN Click here..
Margo in Kenya
TMC member and Executive Director of Kenya Help, Margo McCauliff (center) , has returned to her community work in the city of Naivasha for her 15th year.. She is continuing her tradition of blogging about her experiences. Read her latest blog posts by starting (here).
Return to St Thoma Aquinas
The 8:45 am Sunday Mass sponsored by TMC will resume at St Thomas Aquinas Church, Waverly and Homer Sts, Palo Alto, on June 30. Attendees are advise to enter the santuary using the ramp rather than the front steps until the handrails are installed.
Tom Williams
There will be a funeral Mass for Tom celebrated Saturday, July 6, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA. Fr. Larry Percell will be the presider.
To read about Tom's life, see the Community Notes section of the June 9 TMC Weekly Bulletin click (here)
GLOBAL CATHOLIC
CLIMATE MOVEMENT
This site has featured information on the Global Catholic Climate Movement (CCCM). See below left. The San Jose Mercury news printed in its December 5 edition that carbon emissions, directly related to the greenhouse effect, have started to rise again after abating for the last few years. We have provided a link to read the article. We hope that all people of faith do what they can to take care of and protect our common home.
Link to the article ( here)
The Power of Stability and Civility
".......there are times when laughter is not only impossible, but would be inappropriate. This past week in the United States, we have dealt with such times whether it be the mailing of bombs to current and past elected officials or the antisemitic assassination of eleven of God's children at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania."
From The Vatican Observatory Blog by Fr James Kurzynski, amateur astronomer.. (Here)
Catholic Charities USA has forwarded the following Statement:
Families at the Border
The ongoing practice of separating children from their parents has already, as of May, left nearly 2000 children separated from their parents. As Bishop Vásquez, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, and Sister Donna Markham OP PhD, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, remind us - as a nation and people of faith, we can and must do better.
Learn More
Speak Up!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis
The
Most Reverend Michael Curry (Left), , presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US and Reverend Jim Wallis (right), president and founder of
Sojourners, has authored a letter to church leaders reminding them of the declaration entitled
Reclaiming
Jesus:
A confession of Faith in a time of Crisis of which they are signatories. You are encouraged to read the letter. A copy can be accessed
(Here). A link to the declaration is included
(Here).
Note: Links in the letter are not active.
Excerpt from the declaration:"When politics undermines our theology, we must examine that politics. The church’s role is to change the world through the life and love of Jesus Christ. The government’s role is to serve the common good by protecting justice and peace, rewarding good behavior while restraining bad behavior (Romans 13). When that role is undermined by political leadership, faith leaders must stand up and speak out. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.”
.... ...... ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these. Mark 12:31”
SOME OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE UNDER THREATStatement of the Board of Directors of the Thomas Merton Center on the Refugee Crisis:
Our brothers and sisters who have been forced to flee their homes around the world are crying out in despair, seeking help, safety, peace and love. Refugees, particularly those fleeing the conflict in Syria, have experienced horrors we can’t even im
agine. Now is not the time to close our doors, but rather it is the time to open our arms. Pope Francis says that "All those who flee their own country because of war, violence and persecution have the right to find an appropriate welcome and adequate protection in countries that describe themselves (as) "civilized.” Let us take this message to heart and welcome all who are fleeing persecution. Consider joining the Catholic Relief Services and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in making heard the voices of refugees waiting to find shelter within our borders. Let President Trump and your Congress member know that we support the needs of refugees. We trust our government to protect us while also welcoming refugees. Jesus called each of us to meet and welcome him "in the stranger." Let us follow his call. 3/9/17
The Board invites you to visit the following websites for more information on what you can do to support immigrants and refugees. Visit the following links:
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Catholic Relief Services
For additional local resources, support, and ways to help, please contact the diocean ministry on Justice for Immigrants. More information (here)
TMC Board of Director's letter on the death penalty to California Gov. Jerry Brown.(here)
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Calendar
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 26Mass27Month View May 27, 201928Month View May 28, 201929Month View May 29, 201930Month View May 30, 201931Month View May 31, 20191Month View June 1, 20192Month View June 2, 20193Month View June 3, 20194Month View June 4, 20195Month View June 5, 20196Month View June 6, 20197Month View June 7, 20198Month View June 8, 20199Month View June 9, 2019107:00p Liturgy MeetingMonth View June 10, 2019-
Monday, June 10, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMLiturgy PlanningRead More
11Month View June 11, 201912Month View June 12, 2019137:30p Monthly Board MeetingMonth View June 13, 2019-
Read MoreThursday, June 13, 7:30 PM
14Month View June 14, 201915Month View June 15, 2019168:45 Mass177:00p Spiritual Education MeetingMonth View June 17, 2019-
Monday, June 17, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMMonthly Planning MeetingRead More
18Month View June 18, 201919Month View June 19, 201920Month View June 20, 201921Month View June 21, 201922Month View June 22, 2019238:45 Mass24Month View June 24, 201925Month View June 25, 201926Month View June 26, 201927Month View June 27, 201928Month View June 28, 201929Month View June 29, 2019308:45 Mass1Month View July 1, 20192Month View July 2, 20193Month View July 3, 20194Month View July 4, 20195Month View July 5, 20196Month View July 6, 2019 -
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Today's Readings
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Reading 1 Gn15:1-12, 17-18Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9Gospel Mt 7:15-20
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Save the date
International Thomas Merton Society 16th General Meeting at Santa Clara U. June 27-30:
This biennial meeting carries out the mission of the ITMS to promote an understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted character of Thomas Merton and encourages study and research to make better known the unique contribution he has made to the literature of spirituality and to American literature and religious life.
This year’s conference theme is “O Peace, bless this mad place,” a line from a poem by Merton.
Keynote speakers include Rose Marie Berger, Fr. Cyprian Consiglio, O.S.B. Cam., Robert Ellsberg, Ron Hansen, and Richard Rodriguez, a panel on Dan Berrigan, and many concurrent sessions on topics such as Merton and Racism, Merton and the Ignatian Tradition, Merton and Peace, Merton and Ecology. Sr. Kathleen Deignan, who has led several retreats for TMC in the past, will participate in a workshop, as will Morgan Atkinson, the filmmaker who has shown two of his films on Merton at TMC events.
Registration for the 3-day conference is open now at: merton.org/2019 (Not TMC of Palo Alto).. Registration fee is $350 for ITMS members (TMC is a member) or $400 for non-members and includes 3 days of meetings and meals. (There is no option for partial registration.)
Several members of the TMC Spiritual Education Committee will be attending. -
Catholic Women Preach
Link to Catholic Women Preach website and this week's video click (Here) -
Global Catholic Climate movement (Gccm)
“On climate change, there is a clear, definitive and ineluctable ethical imperative to act.”
— Pope Francis
The science is irrefutable. There are many ways to act. Please vis[t the GCCM Website to find out what you can do. (Here)
ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME,
