Thomas Merton Center

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 MertonThomas 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.

• Added Donate  button 
• Updated Board Minutes Section 9/12/2020 see: (Home > Board)
• Updated Board Membership 12/22/19
• Bulletin Navigation button added to banner. Future bulletins will be online only

Seton School Fundraiser 

The Thomas Merton Center is proud of its special relationship with and support of St Elizabeth Seton School in Palo Alto. The School depends heavily on donations. A generous benefactor has offered $50,000 with a matching provision that needs to be accomplished by October 30.  Below is a link to the schools latest newsletter.. Please read the latest news about the school and about the fall fundraiser at the bottom of page 5. We encorage you to make a donation.

Seton school fall newsletter.

Seton school website.

Seton donation button.

        Voter Education

During the election season it has been the Thomas Merton Center's practice to have at least one onsite voter education event presented by the LWV. It is not possible to do so this year, However, the Palo Alto LWV has a comprehensive website with scheduled live online candidate Zoom forums, proposition pro and con analyses, and general voter information. Click (here) to visit the site. Please note that the TMC does not endorse any candidates or propositions but encourage its members and friends to vote intelligentiy.

How to vote in California


When one is accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppresion" 

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St Thomas Aquinas Masses:

Sunday
(60-person max, signups below)

8:00am(English)
https://signup.com/go/NBQFvtU

9:30am (Espanol)
https://signup.com/go/CUaHyXt

11:00am (Livestream)
https://dsj.zoom.us/j/759166471
 
Monday-Friday                     8:30am
Saturday                                   11:00am

Catholic Community at Stanford 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVQeiZARyPpk3c0CNQMD_4w

Fr Josh Johnson

Black Lives Matter at Oakland parish:

(Excerpted from July 26 TMC Weekly Bulletin)

The TMC faith-sharing group on racism and white privilege that meets on Wednesday afternoons has been impressed with the work of St. Columba Parish in Oakland: https://stcolumba-oak.com/ St. Columba Catholic Church’s mission is clearly stated on the website: “St. Columba is a community of believers in Oakland California who know “who and whose we are” (God’s people). Through African-American traditions, we are moved by the Spirit to serve in this world today.” It is a vibrant parish, with many ministries and prayer and action events. Take a look, participate, be educated and inspired.

COVID-19

Note: All TMC sponsored masses are cancelled until further notice: (8:45 am Sunday Mass). There are numerous local masses online (Youtube)  including ones sponsored by the Catholic Community at Stanford and the St Thomas Aquinas Parish 

TMC sponsored in-person retreats. lectures, seminars, and social gatherings have also been temporarily suspended. Public lectures will resume via Zoom in the near future. Prospective attendees will be invited via our extended email lists and by links published at this site.

Bulletin Archives

Board Meeting Minutes

Link to Catholic Women Preach website and this week's video 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)

“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,