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

Remembering Reverand Monsignor Eugene Boyle

Msgr. Boyle was born this month on July 28, 1921, He was friend. counselor, and chaplain of the Thomas Merton Center from its inception until his death on May 24, 2016. His life, dedicated to spirituality, civil and human rights, and social justice, was an inspiration to all of us who knew him.

It is fitting to take a moment to remember and honor this courageous, humanitarian.

There are many stories to be told about Msgr. Boyles adventures and causes (We all knew him as Gene), from his passionate support for California's farm workers in the fields, to his miraculous. skillful unpowered solo landing of a single engine airplane at the Monterey County Airport. He barely missed the bay by minutes. There are many other stories. Take a moment to remember your own.

A more complete biographical account of his life can be found (here).



Sunday July 11, 2021 homily. 9 am Mass.
Fr Larry Percell

"Sometimes when we engage with those we strongly disagree with or even oppose
We run the risk of adopting their tactics and becoming like them
And when we do that, we shed more heat than light on our issues of concern
To avoid that, we have to remember we are Christians 1st . not republicans/democrats 1st
And we have to remember whose we are (beloved children of God)"

Read the whole text of the homily (here)

Concern about UCCB vote on denying communion to political figures.

Letter from Fr. Xavier Lavagetto on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (UCCB) recent vote on refusing holy communion to government officials who support abortion rights (here}.

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Covid 19
Resumption of TMC sponsored Sunday masses began 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. Hospitality refreshments will be provided in the garden next to church.

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.

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 (Note:the highlighted links in the article are not active)

Thomas Merton and Racial Reconciliation:

Thomas Merton embraced the cause of racial justice during his life time. An article and poem by Albert Raboteau is well worth reading: (Here)

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,