12/2006

Dear Friends,

Chicago Chapter - International Thomas Merton Society Presents

• Soul Searching, a new movie about Thomas Merton, will be shown this Sunday.  We can thank Dr. Paul Pearson for sending us a copy of the new film.  Our meeting will be held in the Rectory Assembly of Immaculate Conception Parish, 7211 W. Talcott (at Harlem).  There will be a MERTON sign by the door.  The film will start at 2:15 p.m. so we can have a few minutes to discuss business.
• T HOMAS MERTON: HOW CONTEMPLATION LEADS TO PEACE, is the title of a lecture by Fr. Wayne Prist, pastor of Queen of All Saints Basilica, Chicago, to be given at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at St. Giles McDonough Hall, 1101 N. Columbian, Oak Park, sponsored by the Christian adult education group Ekklesia. Coffee begins at 9:15 a.m. with the lecture starting at 9:30 a.m. and concluding by 11:15 a.m. The cost of the lecture is $6.00. Tapes of the lecture may be ordered the day of the lecture for a small charge.  "At the Eucharist we wish each other the peace of Christ. We know it is His great gift, especially in the midst of tribulations. But Christ gives peace not as the world does. To receive the peace of Christ we have to nurture a contemplation dimension in our spiritual lives. Thomas Merton can help us."   This talk will be of interest to all our members and we encourage you to attend.
• The Merton Study Group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, in Mercurio Hall of the Passionist Monastery, 5700 N. Harlem, Chicago, to continue discussing The Inner Experience, Notes on Contemplation, Chapters 7 and 8.
• Lisa Wagner, producer of The Hermit in New York, has proposed a collaboration with our Chapter for mounting a local production of the play in April or May.  This will require volunteers to help with publicity, to sell tickets, usher, etc. Lisa is presently scouting for a  venue.  I hope some of you can help. Those of us who saw the production in 2005 were very impressed.  It honors Merton and his vision, and harmonizes with the Society's aim to "promote a greater knowledge of the life and writings of Thomas Merton."