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.

• Updated Board Minutes Section 8/11/19 see: (Home > Board)
• Latest TMC Bulletin was posted on 9/15/19.
• Added latest Steeple Talk in Bulletin section 9/1/19
• Updated celebrant schedule thru mid December  2019
• New Photos of the 2019 annual meeting (Here)

Catholic Media: a talk by Jim Purcell Sept. 28: 

There is a growing awareness of the role of some Catholic media in the U.S. that is presenting a traditional, anti-Vatican II, anti-Francis image of the “true Catholic church.” In an effort to educate the TMC community about this development, the Spiritual Education Committee of the Merton Center is presenting the following talk:

Jim Purcell, Chairman of the Board of the National Catholic Reporter

“The Landscape of Catholic Media Today.”

Saturday, September 28, at 3:00 p.m,
in the St. Albert the Great Hospitality Center,
1095 Channing Ave., Palo Alto.

Jim has a long resume of service to the Catholic Church, from priesthood in the 60s, through directing Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County in the 80s, membership in the Bishop’s Administrative Council in the San Jose Diocese, president of HOPE Rehabilitation Services, and VP of University Relations at Santa Clara University. He is currently retired and consults to non-profits in strategic planning and fundraising. He joined the board of the NCR in 2015 and became chairman last year.

Jim will bring his knowledge of the current Catholic media world to this discussion, based on his experience over many years with the communication of Catholic values and initiatives to the public. (As a footnote, Jim is the older brother of Larry Purcell, of the Catholic Worker House of Redwood City.)

Please join us for a stimulating educational discussion and guidance toward an action plan. A reception with wine and cheese will follow the discussion.

Fr Percell's Sunday July 14, 2019 Homily (Excerpt)

I can think of no timlier parable to engage with today than the Good Samaritan, given the images that we have seen on television and on social media. Scenes of small children terrified when being forcefully taken from their parents. Held in cages with unsanitary conditions and inadequate food. A picture of a drowned father  and daughter face down on the banks of the Rio Grande. We look at these pictures and hear the scribe's question "And who is my neighbor?"
To read the entire text click (Here) 

 GLOBAL CATHOLIC
CLIMATE MOVEMENT

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)

Catholic Charities USA has forwarded the following Statement: 
Families at the Border

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.”

.... ......  ‘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)

Bulletin Archives

Board Meeting Minutes

Climate Strike September 20:

Read about this important event in the Aug 18 TMC Weekly Bulletin (here) or go to the website  globalclimatestrike.net

Jim Purcell, COB Nat'l Catholic Reporter

Saturday, September 28, at 3:00 p.m,
in the St. Albert the Great Hospitality Center,
1095 Channing Ave., Palo Alto.

Call to Action meets October 4-5 in Sacramento:

Call to Action West Coast Regional Conference: “Building More Just Communities” will be held at the Double- tree Hotel, Sacramento, CA, October 4-5, 2019.

Keynote presenters:

Roy Bourgeois, champion of women’s ordination, Sister Irma Dillard RCSJ, champion of racial justice, and Ched Myers, champion of ecological justice, are the keynote speakers. Six additional speakers will lead workshops on the issues of homelessness, gender justice, clergy sex abuse, immigration, women’s role in the church, and the links between carbon addiction and white supremacy.

Please visit www.saccta.org for registration information and room rates;

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