Thomas Merton Center

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

Sat., Sept. 22, 10 am - noon,

Location St Albert The Great Center, 1095 Channing Ave Palo Alto, CA
Sr. Irene Loina of Kenya:  

Women's health issues and the problem of a patriarchal society in Africa.
Sr. Irene served in the rural community of East Pokot, where her focus was a mobile medical clinic. She was the recipient of a program, introduced to that area by TMC member Ron Ariagno, called Helping Babies Breathe. She accomplished the organization of a coming-of-age ceremony for 134 Pokot girls, omitting the traditional FGM (female genital mutilation), by convincing local elders, chiefs, midwives and parents to do so.

Oct 7th Sunday morning after 8:45 liturgy

League of Woman's voters STA living room

Sat., Dec. 1st, 9 am - 1:00 pm,

Fr. Kevin Ballard, SJ, Advent Morning of Reflection:  Location TBD

Sunday October 14, 2018

Sat., Oct. 27, 10 am - noon,

Saturday Febuary 23, 2019

Bulletin Archives

Board Meeting Minutes

“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,
                         

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.

• Sept 16 TMC Bulletin has plan of action from the Diocese of San Jose, CA on clergy sexual abuse.   (Here)
• Added new page. selected Homily Excerpts by TMC presiders. (Here).
• Latest TMC Bulletin Posted 9/16/18 (See Bulletin Section This Page)
• Updated Steeple Talk in Bulletins section 9/2/18

Fr Lavagetto's Homily for August 19, 2019

(Click Here)

Pope Francis Reponds to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on Clergy Abuse

Pope Francis Appoints Coadjutor Bishop for San Jose (CA) Diocese

The Vatican announced on July 11 that Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico has been appointed coadjutor bishop of San Jose and will likely succeed Bishop Patrick McGrath when he retires.. According to the San Jose Mercury News Bishop Cantu is noted for his strong advocacy for immigrants and refugees.  Bishop Cantu is a native of Houston Texas.

Update:

Diocese of San Jose, CA Bishop Patrick J. McGrath's Message on Separating Families

We are hundreds of miles from the border, yet what has happened along the US-Mexico border over the past few weeks has a direct impact on many of our own people. Images of crying children, separated from their mothers, and the anguish of mothers whose infants have been taken from their arms has increased the anxiety and fear of mothers and children living here in many of our parishes and neighborhoods.  I write to assure you that we stand with you, that we support Church efforts to keep families together and to reunite those that have been separated.

Read Bishop McGrath's entire message by clicking (Here)
En Espanol (Here)

Families at the Border

Margo McAuliffe Returns to Kenya

TMC Member and founder of Kenya Help, Margo McAuliffe, has arrived safely in Naivasha as she has done for the past 14 years. Each year Margo often declares that this will be her last tour of duty. "I am getting to old and tired for this",  she is often overheard saying. Somehow she manages to summons the energy and will power, and jets off at the beginning of summer. 

Margo has already published several blog entries detailing this year's adventures. Her blogs offer a unique view of Kenyan life and culture relative to  how one determined individual can have an uplifting impact on others. To read her latest blog and to catch up on past ones click (Here)
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Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis

"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.”

US House of Representives' Chaplain, Fr. Patrick Conroy, was fired for uttering the following prayer:

"As legislation on taxes continues to be debated this week and next, may all Members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great Nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle. May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans."

Read the article, Ousting House chaplain who prayed for those affected by tax bill will not silence the cry for justice, by Dr Barbara Williams-Skinner, posted at sojo.net, by clicking here. Also See the TMC Bulletin for week of May 6. 

.... ......  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’   No other commandment is greater than these.      Mark 12:31”                                       

SOME OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE UNDER THREAT

Statement 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)