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 2021 Liturgical Calendar 
• Updated Board Minutes Section 3/12/2021 see: (Home > Board)
• Mass resumption June 20,, 2021 9 am

Resumption of TMC sponsored Sunday masses June 20th

Because of changes to health guidelines for Covid 19 abatement we are please to announce the resumption of indoor masses at historic St Thomas Aquinas church (Waverly and Cowper Sts) in Palo Alto. Masses are scheduled to begin at 9 am on Sundays. The state, county, and CDC guidlines in effect at the time, will be observed. 

Indoor after mass coffee hour is not permitted at this time as the Thomas House facility will remain closed for use.

The celebrant schedule has been updated in the calender section. Click on the date in the calendar to access this information.

Your cooperation and understanding will be greatly appreciated.


Rudy Bahr

It is with great sadness we share Rudy Bahr’s passing on the morning of April 11 while resting in bed, dozing off to one of his favorite operas, La Boheme.  He would have been 98 in June.  Rudy was a long-time TMC member, electrical engineer, ham-radio operator, world traveler, opera lover, early bike commuter and regular hiker locally and beyond. His daughter Jean Bahr and her husband, Tom Brocher, have been staying with Rudy since late March 2020, providing him company in the pandemic and taking care of him as his health gradually declined.  There will be no public service at this time and his daughter Jean hopes to have a gathering of friends later in the year.  She requests no flowers.  Those who wish to make a donation in Rudy’s honor should send to the trust that supports the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District including Rancho San Antonio where Rudy enjoyed hiking for many years. 

https://openspacetrust.org/donate/

Jean also suggests donations to the TMC coffee fund when hospitality resumes.  Rudy was a member of the Hospitality Committee, arriving early on Sunday mornings to prepare coffee for sharing after TMC Sunday liturgy.  

Rudys presence and gentility will be sorely missed, He will be remembered as a blessing in the life of our community,

How Big Money Is Dividing American

Catholicism
By Katherine Stewart
Recommended article published in The New Republic with reference to the TMC study group formed to understand and address this issue.

"The hardening schism in American Catholicism is shaping up to be a test of the influence of liberal Catholicism and the liberal left more broadly. It pits a loosely organized cultural and theological movement against a well-oiled and well-funded political movement on the right—the latter a testament to conservative Catholicism’s commitment to a politics of money and power."

Click (Here) to read the whole article

 

Thomas Merton and Racial Reconciliation:

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

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,