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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 2/10/2019 (See Bulletin Section This Page)
- Added latest Steeple Talk in Bulletin section 2/3/19
- Updated celebrant schedule 1/2/19
- Corrected Fred Dietrich Memorial service, Was 10:00 am, Now 2:00 pm
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Of Interest
Black History Month:
Black or African Amercan history month is celebrated each February. The observance is an opportunity to become aquainted with or reaquainted with the rise of Black Americans from slavery and Jim Crow to freedom from legal oppression and with their many stunning successes in American society and culture. This year's theme suggests a reflection on the great migration from the rural south to the industrial Northeast and Midwest. The following link contains information on how one might celebrate the occasion: (Here)
Seton School thanks Merton Center:
We received a letter of gratitude from Carmel Caligaris, Director of Advancement, and Evelyn Rosa, Principal, at St. Elizabeth Seton School:
“We thank the Thomas Merton Group for their significant contribution to St. Elizabeth Seton School for 2018 and years prior...Your donations go directly to supporting our students, and we thank you greatly...With your help, SESS is blessed to provide our students with a comprehensive education and solid faith formation that we hope wilo prove to be instrumental throughout their lives.” In addition, Carmel penned a personal note: “We are so very grateful to all that support our students, but the TMC group in particular gives even more every year. Our students succeed through help from the whole community. Blessed to have your help! Warm regards,
Carmel.”
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 Will be held Saturday, February 16, 2:00 pm, St Thomas Aquinas Church, Waverly at Homer street, Palo Alto, CA..
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
February 2019Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 278:45 Mass28Month View January 28, 201929Month View January 29, 201930Month View January 30, 201931Month View January 31, 20191Month View February 1, 20192Month View February 2, 201938:45 Mass4Month View February 4, 20195Month View February 5, 20196Month View February 6, 20197Month View February 7, 20198Month View February 8, 20199Month View February 9, 2019108:45 Mass117:00p Liturgy MeetingMonth View February 11, 2019-
Monday, February 11, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMLiturgy PlanningRead More
12Month View February 12, 201913Month View February 13, 2019147:30p Monthly Board MeetingMonth View February 14, 2019-
Read MoreThursday, February 14, 7:30 PM
15Month View February 15, 201916Month View February 16, 2019178:45 Mass187:00p Spiritual Education MeetingMonth View February 18, 2019-
Monday, February 18, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMMonthly Planning MeetingRead More
19Month View February 19, 201920Month View February 20, 201921Month View February 21, 201922Month View February 22, 201923Month View February 23, 2019248:45 Mass25Month View February 25, 201926Month View February 26, 201927Month View February 27, 201928Month View February 28, 20191Month View March 1, 20192Month View March 2, 2019 -
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Today's Readings
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Reading 1 Gn 3:9-24Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:2, 3-4abc, 5-6, 12-13Gospel Mk 8:1-10
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Save the date
Saturday February 23, 2019
3 pm to 5 pm
Arrillaga Center
700 Alma St
Menlo Park, CA
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,
