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.

• New Photo Albums
• Updated Vatican Observatory Section. VO Blog

Susan Thomas

The Merton Center Board is pleased to announce that a generous bequest from the estate of Susan Thomas has been received. Susan died suddenly in early January at the age of 80. As a longtime member of TMC, Susan was a quiet, gentle presence in our community; She served as a communion minister at the 8:45 and 7:30 Masses and volunteered for years in the Stanford Hospital Chaplaincy program. Susan was married to John H. Thomas, professor of biological sciences at Stanford, from 1966 until his death in 1999. Her sudden death was a shock to all her family and to those who knew her in so many different ways. She was shy, funny, analytical and kind. She loved her friends and family, saw and admired the best in them, and is deeply missed. Her bequest will encourage and enable TMC to continue its mission of liturgical, ecumenical, and spiritual education for Catholic Christians in the Bay Area.

Following is an excerpt from Father Larry Percell's homily given on the second Sunday of Easter

" The Irish have a notion of thin places where heaven and earth come closer. There is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only three feet apart. But in thin places the distance is even closer. For me thin places are experiences of touching or being touched by the divine presence."

"Today's gospel offers us a particularly thin place experience with the Risen Lord. Jesus says to Thomas 'Bring your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side; and do not be unbelieving, but believe'."

"It may be that we can have a full encounter with the Risen Jesus when we touch his wounds-
When we sit with a loved one after they have been told they have a terminal illness and try to offer them comfort that no matter what the outcome we will be with them-
When our child tells us he or she is gay and we do not reject them but love them even more-
When we see a homeless person and speak to them as well as offering them a sandwich-
When we reach out to a Muslim neighbor and ask them to educate us about Islam-
When we speak out for just and compassionate immigration reform-
When we do any of these things we are touching the wounds of the Risen Jesus-

Fr. Percell presides regularly at the TMC 8:45 am Sunday Mass
 

Janice O'Brien of Sierra Roots, Nevada City, CA

TMC Founding Member Janice O'Brien and her husband Jim relocated to the Sierra Foothils in the 1990's. An early experience after moving there of a homeless person freezing to death weighed heavily on Janice and inspired her to become a tireless advocate for the unhoused in her new community.

Janice spoke to the TMC communty on Saturday, March 24th about her nonprofit organization, Sierra Roots, which may ultimately become a model for addressing this untractable problem almost anywhere it exists. Sierra Roots, with the support of governmental agencies, charitable organizations and friends have embarked upon an ambitious project to build a sustainable village of small homes with a community center providing many thoughtful amenities and services for people whom, for whatever reason, are in need of a permanent place to live. 

Sierra Roots currently sponsors community lunches, emergency shelters, advocacy programs and medical assistance. 

Your help is needed to build the residential village as well as to support their ongoing programs.

The TMC is greatful to Janice for sharing her story and inspiring us to be 'Better Angels".

To learn more about SIERRA ROOTS click on the icon below



                                               
 

Diocese of San Jose, CA Bishop Patrick J. McGrath writes in support of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), also referred to as the Dream Act.

In quoting a recent statement by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop McGrath reiterated:
“As people of faith, we say to DACA youth – regardless of your immigration status, you are children of God and welcome in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church supports you and will advocate for you.”

Read Bishop McGrath's entire statement by clicking (Here)

U.S. bishops speak out on tax bill: (By Michael O‘Loughlin, America, 11/8/17)

Recommended article by Richard Placone (Here)
 

Catholic Women Preach

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

.... ......  ‘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)

Fr, George Aranha's homily on the current national anxiety.  (here)

LWV to discuss CA ballot propositions May 6: Thomas House, Homer and Waverley Streets Palo Alto, CA

TMC Annual Meeting

Seton Golf Scramble
Monday May 14, 2018

Bulletin Archives

“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,