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 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:

Join (Here)

Renew Membership (Here)
 

• Added 2022 Liturgical Calendar 
• Updated Presider schegule 6/5/2022 (Here)
• Updated Board Minutes on 3/16/22 (Here)
• Added Synod Report 4//10/22 (Here)
• Added committee reports submitted at the May 22, 2022 Annual Meeting (Here)

Monsignor John Sandersfeld   March 7, 1940 - August 3, 2022

It is with sadness that we hear of the recent death of Msgr. John Sandersfeld. He was founding pastor of St Francis of Assisi Parish in San Jose, CA and a frequent celebrant at mass for the Thomas Merton Center. His powerful voice, preaching the gospel, and his insightful scriptual insights will long be remembered.

Funeral Services for Msgr. Sandersfeld:

Vigil

7:00 pm Tuesday  August 9, 2022
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
5111 San Felipe Road
San Jose, CA  95135

Mass of The Resurrection

10:00 am Wednesday August 10, 2022
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
5111 San Felipe Road
San Jose, CA  95135

Obituary From San Jose Mercury News (Here)

 

Pope Francis Apologizes To First Nation Communities in Canada

"I am deeply sorry,” Francis said to applause from school survivors and Indigenous community members gathered at a former residential school" .. ...a “disastrous error” that was incompatible with the Gospel. "Further investigation and healing is needed. I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples,” Francis said.

Read the San Jose Mercury News article (Here)

See also Catholic News Service article (Here)

Mercedes McCaffrey: November 19, 1928 - June 20, 2022

We mourn the loss of our beloved friend, heartfelt advocate for the poor and marginalized, and long time TMC member, Mercedes McCaffrey. Contributions in her memory can be made to:

Friends Outside (http://friendsoutside.org/) or Catholic Workers' House (545 Cassia St., Redwood City, CA 94063).

Communion Restriction for Politicians Who Supprt Womens Right to Choose: NPR Article (Here)

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TMC Annual Committee Reports (Here)

 

Synod Listening Session Report

Synod listening Session on Synodality Conducted by The Thomas Merton Center of Palo Alto with support from the Daughters of the Blessed  Virgin Mother (BVM) Via Zoom on Saturday March 5th, 2022
For the Results/Report: Click (Here)




Results are being shared with the diocese of San Jose, California

St Thomas Aquinas Masses:

See the St Thomas Aquinas website for mass schedule updates (Here)

Catholic Community at Stanford

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

Current TMC Online Bulletin
Old Bulletin Archives (Includes Steeple Talk)

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,