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Calendar
September 2018Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 26MassMonth View August 26, 2018-
Sunday, August 26 - 8:45 AMFr Ballard SJ
27Month View August 27, 201828Month View August 28, 201829Month View August 29, 201830Month View August 30, 201831Month View August 31, 20181Month View September 1, 20182MassMonth View September 2, 2018-
Sunday, September 2 - 8:45 AMMsgr Sandersfeld
3Month View September 3, 20184Month View September 4, 20185Month View September 5, 20186Month View September 6, 20187Month View September 7, 20188Month View September 8, 20189MassMonth View September 9, 2018-
Sunday, September 9 - 8:45 AMFr Percell
107:00p Liturgy MeetingMonth View September 10, 2018-
Monday, September 10, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMLiturgy Planning
11Month View September 11, 201812Month View September 12, 2018137:30p Monthly Board MeetingMonth View September 13, 2018-
Thursday, September 13, 7:30 PM
14Month View September 14, 201815Month View September 15, 201816MassMonth View September 16, 2018-
Sunday, September 16 - 8:45 AMFr Ballard SJ
177:00p Spiritual Education MeetingMonth View September 17, 2018-
Monday, September 17, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMMonthly Planning Meeting
18Month View September 18, 201819Month View September 19, 201820Month View September 20, 201821Month View September 21, 201822Month View September 22, 201823MassMonth View September 23, 2018-
Sunday, September 23 - 8:45 AM
24Month View September 24, 201825Month View September 25, 201826Month View September 26, 201827Month View September 27, 201828Month View September 28, 201829Month View September 29, 201830MassMonth View September 30, 2018-
Sunday, September 30 - 8:45 AMFr Lavagetto OP
1Month View October 1, 20182Month View October 2, 20183Month View October 3, 20184Month View October 4, 20185Month View October 5, 20186Month View October 6, 2018 -
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Today's Readings
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Reading 1 Prv 3:27-34Responsorial Psalm ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5Gospel Lk 8:16-18
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Catholic Women Preach
Link to Catholic Women Preach website and this week's video click (Here) -
Save the date
Oct 7th Sunday morning after 8:45 liturgy
A session on the CA ballot propositions And Santa Clara County initiatives
Sunday, October 7, 10:15-11:15 am, in the Thomas House living room.Sunday October 14, 2018
Author Kate Hennessey
Dorothy Day’s youngest-of-nine grandchildren and author of a memoir about her grandmother, will speak on Sunday, October 14, at 3:00 pm at the Menlo Park Recreation Center. We will have her book, Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved By Beauty, available for purchase at the event and in advance of October 14. Save the date!
Fr. Daniel Kiriti of Kenya.
Sat., Oct. 27, 10 am - noon,
Catching up with this long-time friend of TMC and STA parish about his current parish work and the challenges he faces. This is a chance to ask questions about the Church in Africa and Kenya specifically, how the clerical abuse issues are experienced there and how lay people are responding, what initiatives he wants to start or continue in his parish. Fr. Kiriti has always concentrated on the youth in his pastoral assignments, and he is articulate and candid in his assessment of the needs of youth and creative in addressing those needs. Coffee, tea, fruit and bagels provided.
Saturday, October 27: A morning talk with Fr. Daniel Kiriti at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall,Catching up with this long-time friend of TMC and STA parish about his current parish work and the challenges he faces. This is a chance to ask questions about the Church in Africa and Kenya specifically, how the clerical abuse issues are experienced there and how lay people are responding, what initiatives he wants to start or continue in his parish. Fr. Kiriti has always concentrated on the youth in his pastoral assignments, and he is articulate and candid in his assessment of the needs of youth and creative in addressing those needs. Coffee, tea, fruit and bagels provided.
Saturday, December 1, 9:00 a.m.-12 noon: Advent Morning of Reflection, led by Fr. Kevin Ballard, S.J., at Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall, 3233 Cowper St., Palo Alto.
Fr. Ballard will lead attendees into the Advent Scriptures to deepen awareness of the call to holiness in the Advent season.
Saturday Febuary 23, 2019
TMC Sponsored Event
Writer, Scholar, Michael W Higgins PhD
Lenten Season Retreat/Presentation
THOMAS MERTON ON MARTIN LUTHER KING -
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,
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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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Of Interest
Fr Rubio's Homily for September 23, 2018
Fr Lavagetto's Homily for August 19, 2018
Pope Francis Reponds to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on Clergy Abuse
Sadly, the Catholic church once again has to face tragic allegations of sexual abuse among its clergy and cover-ups by church leadership. The Vatican has expressed "Shame and sorrow" in the strongest terms.
More information and video my be viewed on the Resourses page accessed above or by clicking here.
Also see San Jose Bishop P J McGrath's reaction by clicking here.
Pope Francis Appoints Coadjutor Bishop for San Jose (CA) Di
oceseThe Vatican announced on July 11 that Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico has been appointed coadjutor bishop of San Jose and will likely succeed Bishop Patrick McGrath when he retires.. According to the San Jose Mercury News Bishop Cantu is noted for his strong advocacy for immigrants and refugees. Bishop Cantu is a native of Houston Texas.
The US Government has ended the practice of separating refugee children from their parents. The change was made primarily because of the outcry of many people of conscience who responded to this outrage. However, many families remain separated and the treatment of refugees at our border continues to be a stain on our national character.
Update:
Diocese of San Jose, CA Bishop Patrick J. McGrath's Message on Separating Families
We are hundreds of miles from the border, yet what has happened along the US-Mexico border over the past few weeks has a direct impact on many of our own people. Images of crying children, separated from their mothers, and the anguish of mothers whose infants have been taken from their arms has increased the anxiety and fear of mothers and children living here in many of our parishes and neighborhoods. I write to assure you that we stand with you, that we support Church efforts to keep families together and to reunite those that have been separated.
Read Bishop McGrath's entire message by clicking (Here)
En Espanol (Here)
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.”
US House of Representives' Chaplain, Fr. Patrick Conroy, was fired for uttering the following prayer:
"As legislation on taxes continues to be debated this week and next, may all Members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great Nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle. May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans."
Read the article, Ousting House chaplain who prayed for those affected by tax bill will not silence the cry for justice, by Dr Barbara Williams-Skinner, posted at sojo.net, by clicking here. Also See the TMC Bulletin for week of May 6.
.... ...... ‘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)