International Thomas Merton Society
North-Central Connecticut Chapter
NCCITMS
Latest News
7/26/2020:
Upcoming Merton Programs:
Get information about our past NCCITMS meetings!
Upcoming Merton Programs:
- Summer 2020 Quarterly meeting - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom - Discussion of "Letters to a White Liberal" (published in Seeds of Destruction)
- Fall 2020 Quarterly meeting - Wednesday November 4, 2020, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Thomas Merton, an invitation to non-violence., Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, 31 Colton Street, Farmington, CT.
Get information about our past NCCITMS meetings!
Summer 2020 Quarterly meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
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Mike Smoolca will facilitate a discussion of Merton's essay "Letters to a White Liberal".
Prior to attending this meeting please either read the full version of "Letters to a White Liberal" (published in Seeds of Destruction) or the partially transcribed copy posted here. You might also want to read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Burmingham Jail" which inspired Merton to write this essay. Please register below if you will be attending. Only those registered will receive the Zoom link to this meeting. |
Our Typical Meeting Location
Our group generally meets at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT.
Meetings at Holy Family usually take place in the Center Building First Floor Classroom
Meetings at Holy Family usually take place in the Center Building First Floor Classroom
Other Information
Highlights from past NCCITMS meetings are located here!
Here is a link to Information on membership to the International Thomas Merton Society.
Here's a copy of our latest Brochure. Please distribute it to any friends you know that are interested in sharing their interest and admiration for Thomas Merton!
You may sign up to be on our Chapter's email list at the bottom of this page!
Here is a link to Information on membership to the International Thomas Merton Society.
Here's a copy of our latest Brochure. Please distribute it to any friends you know that are interested in sharing their interest and admiration for Thomas Merton!
You may sign up to be on our Chapter's email list at the bottom of this page!
About Us
The International Thomas Merton Society came into being in 1987 to promote a greater knowledge of the life and writings of Thomas Merton, one of the most influential religious figures of our time. Local Chapters and Affiliates of the ITMS across the world reflect a wide range of personal interest and approaches to Thomas Merton.
The ITMS sponsors biennial conferences devoted to Merton and his work and supports the writing of general-interest and scholarly books and articles about Merton. In addition the ITMS awards regular grants to researchers and scholarships to youth. It encourages a variety of activities such as Merton retreats.
The North Central Connecticut Chapter has been in existence for many years and was originally begun by Bill Williams and others in West Hartford, CT in 2006. In the Spring of 2016, Bill handed over the leadership of this Chapter to Mike Smoolca.
The ITMS sponsors biennial conferences devoted to Merton and his work and supports the writing of general-interest and scholarly books and articles about Merton. In addition the ITMS awards regular grants to researchers and scholarships to youth. It encourages a variety of activities such as Merton retreats.
The North Central Connecticut Chapter has been in existence for many years and was originally begun by Bill Williams and others in West Hartford, CT in 2006. In the Spring of 2016, Bill handed over the leadership of this Chapter to Mike Smoolca.
About The North-Central Connecticut Chapter |
NATURE OF OUR GROUP:
We are a spiritually-focused group dedicated to contemplative traditions, interfaith dialog, engaging our community in issues of compassion, peace, justice and finding truth in our personal lives. OUR VISION: The NCCITMS was formed to study the writings, work, life and influence of Thomas Merton, in the hope of inspiring, affirming and enriching every member to embrace life and the God who created it. THE PATH WE FOLLOW: Our focus will be to promote and encourage Christian Contemplative Spirituality, Thomas Merton workshops, covering all the interests of his life, days of recollection and study as well as interfaith dialog. OUR STRUCTURE: We envision that our group will be structured around the important themes of Merton's life. In particular, we see the following four special interest areas of study, focus and sharing:
LAST WORDS: Our motto: “Going clear out of the midst of all that is transitory and inconclusive. The return to the immense, the Primordial, the Unknown, to God who Loves, to the Silent, to the Holy, to the Merciful, to God Who is All.” -- Thomas Merton (Journal, March 22, 1961) |
Links and Events |
Contact Us |
We are looking to make this Chapter more active. We will publicize various Merton events and will have local Chapter meetings every quarter starting in the fall/winter of 2016.
If you have an interest in finding out more about our Chapter please email Mike Smoolca (msmoolca@hotmail.com) or fill out the form below: |