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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
- Added new page. selected Homily Excerpts by TMC presiders. (Here).
- Latest TMC Bulletin Posted 1/19/2019 (See Bulletin Section This Page)
- Added latest Steeple Talk in Bulletin section 12/30/18
- Updated celebrant schedule 1/2/19
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Of Interest
Martin Luther King Jr Holiday: Monday, January 21
The following is excerpted from Christmas Eve sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Churh in 1967
"If there is to be peace on earth and good will toward all, we must finally believe in the ultimate morality of the universe, and believe that all reality hinges on moral foundations. As we once again stand after the Christmas season and think of the Easter season to come, the two somehow go together. Christ came to show us the way. Men love darkness rather than the light, and they crucified him, and there on Good Friday on the cross it was still dark, but then Easter came, and Easter is an eternal reminder of the fact that the truth-crushed earth will rise again.
I still have a dream today that one day justice will roll down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. I still have a dream today that in all of our state houses and city halls men will be elected to go there who will do justly and love mercy and walk humbly with their God. I still have a dream today that one day war will come to an end, that men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, that nations will no longer rise up against nations, neither will they study war any more. I still have a dream today that one day the lamb and the lion will lie down together and every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.
Fr, Purcell's January 13, 2019 Homily on Christ's Baptism
The Baptism of the lord is recounted in each of the four Gospels but is treated differently. Matthew and Mark describe the event, Jesus coming up from the water the holy spirit descending in the form of a dove and the voice from heaven. In John’s gospel the Baptist testifies to what he alone saw at Jesus’ baptism. Today Luke does not describe the baptism itself but what happened after the baptism. After Jesus was baptized and was praying. As he was praying the holy spirit descended in bodily form like a dove and a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased.” The suggestion is that only Jesus heard the voice. In Luke’s version, while at prayer, which Jesus does a lot of in Luke’s gospel and we’re going to be hearing a lot of Luke’s gospel for the rest of this year, this voice was a confirmation for Jesus of who he truly was. God’s beloved.
Now, he could begin his public life and ministry to bring God’s plan of salvation to fruition. Now he could begin to preach the good news. All his followers could form community and face his opposition. All this could happen because Jesus knew in his bones that he was God’s beloved. And that is precisely which gives him the freedom to follow the Holy Spirit. Well, we might think, isn’t that nice for Jesus, but whenever we celebrate the mystery of the life of Christ (today we celebrate his baptism) we are told to participate in that mystery and follow him in a unique way. Todays gospel lays out the pattern for all our lives. At our baptism God looks at each one of us and says. “You are my beloved daughter or son”. If we have grown up with love and care, it is easier to know in our bones that God loves us. If we have grown up with a lack of love or even with abuse or neglect of some kind, it is a lot more difficult, but not impossible, to accept that God loves us. God wills our belovedness to be the fundamental identity from which we live our lives. That is where our self-worth comes from and the freedom from disordered attachments. Freedom from wealth, from power, prestige, freedom from searching for love in all the wrong places. Hence the freedom to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead and not the world’s lead.
Last week the majority of the United States’ bishops gathered for a retreat in Mundelein, Illinois. The Pope’s preacher called them back to basics. That their call is to serve and not to be served. That they are shepherds not CEOs. Shepherds called to protect the vulnerable, not the institution. That they are God’s beloved too, who can be free from attachments, to titles, honors and riches. So that the decisions they make are based on the Spirits promptings and not the promptings of the world. That must be the basis for their correcting the sins and errors of the past and restoring trust in the church. Being God’s beloved is the basis of our self-worth so that we know in our bones our values come from what God values and not what the world values. This can give the freedom to follow Spirit’s need in our lives, to witness to Jesus in our words and deeds to show others that they too are Gods beloved. To care for others who came because of treatment they have received from a harsh world. A world that treats people as if they are commodities who are expendable. The big question for the church in 2019 is this: How do we let the holy Spirit lead us forward? It is a question for the whole church. For bishops, for clergy and for laity. Our area of responsibility may be different, but we all need the freedom of the children of God so that we can be Christ for others.
Long time TMC member Fred Dietrich has died:
Dr Fred Dietrich passed away January 1, 2019 following an accidental fall.. A beloved member of the community, Fred performed many acts of charity such as delivering food on behalf of St Vincent de Paul as well as ministering to the sick and home bound.. Dr Dietrich was a noted internationally in communication engineering during a long career and continued to consult on antenna design up until a few years ago. Services are pending.
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)
Nuns On The Bus: 2018 Tour
The Nuns on the Bus tour will include 54 events in 21 states over the course of 27 days, launched on October 8 in Los Angeles and ending at Mar-a-Lago with a “Fiesta for the Common Good.”
Sister Simone Campbell
Click on the Network Logo Above for more Information
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!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Margo McAuliffe Returns From Kenya
TMC Member and founder of Kenya Help, Margo McAuliffe, has arrived home to the Bay Area safely
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Margo has published 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 blogs and to catch up on past ones click (Here)
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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
January 2019Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 308:45 Mass31Month View December 31, 20181Month View January 1, 20192Month View January 2, 20193Month View January 3, 20194Month View January 4, 20195Month View January 5, 201968:45 Mass7Month View January 7, 20198Month View January 8, 20199Month View January 9, 2019107:30p Monthly Board MeetingMonth View January 10, 2019-
Read MoreThursday, January 10, 7:30 PM
11Month View January 11, 201912Month View January 12, 2019138:45 Mass147:00p Liturgy MeetingMonth View January 14, 2019-
Monday, January 14, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMLiturgy PlanningRead More
15Month View January 15, 201916Month View January 16, 201917Month View January 17, 201918Month View January 18, 201919Month View January 19, 2019208:45 Mass217:00p Spiritual Education MeetingMonth View January 21, 2019-
Monday, January 21, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMMonthly Planning MeetingRead More
22Month View January 22, 201923Month View January 23, 201924Month View January 24, 201925Month View January 25, 201926Month View January 26, 2019278:45 Mass28Month View January 28, 201929Month View January 29, 201930Month View January 30, 201931Month View January 31, 20191Month View February 1, 20192Month View February 2, 2019 -
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Today's Readings
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Reading 1 Heb 5:1-10Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4Gospel Mk 2:18-22
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Save the date
Saturday February 23, 2019
TMC Sponsored Event
Writer, Scholar, Michael W Higgins PhD
Lenten Season Retreat/Presentation
THOMAS MERTON ON MARTIN LUTHER KING. Spiritual Brothers who never had a chance to meet..
"The anniversary of King's death also presents an opportunity for scholars to take measure of this odd couple, as did Michael Higgins, who has authored three books on Merton. "Both men understood the power of a vision electrified by words, a vision biblical and epic in its range and yet grounded in the real," said Higgins, distinguished professor of Catholic thought at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut."
Excerpted from the National Catholic Reporter -
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,
