CHAPTER EVENTS. THOMAS MERTON is not always an easy writer to get into.
His most famous book, The Seven Storey. Mountain, which many people pick ...
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International Thomas Merton Society • BC Chapter
uarterly News November 2001 Vol. 1, No. 3
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HOMAS MERTON is not always an easy writer to get into. His most famous book, The Seven Storey Mountain, which many people pick up first, is an uneven work. The story is a very engaging one, and Merton’s combination of high style and slang keeps us reading in the narrative sections. But it also contains turgid chunks of semi-digested theology; and there are places where his satisfaction at having found a faith, a working religious tradition and a place in the world transmutes unattractively into rigidity, smugness and triumphalism. These were less noticeable when the book came out, and when Roman Catholicism appeared to be a fortress built on a rock of unchanging truth and practice (not that that had ever been the case, but that was the perception, particularly among people who were not Roman Catholics). But readers today are more aware, more critical and more individualistic; and too many potential friends of Merton have been put off by these features of The Seven Story Mountain. Another problem is that the book is often referred to as his autobiography, when in fact it is only the first installment. He published it when he was 33, and lived another two decades. Those years are presented in his journals, now available in seven volumes, and also available in summary in The Intimate Merton, edited by Patrick Hart and Jonathan Montaldo. So if you are a new reader of Merton, I would encourage you to read the SSM, place your assessment button on hold, read The Intimate Merton, and then, if you are still motivated, move on to the full journals. Finally, to fill out your basic acquaintance with the breadth of his writing and thought, read Thomas Merton: Spiritual Master, edited by Lawrence Cunningham. This book provides a good general introduction to Merton, offers excerpts from his most important writings, and places them in context, both in terms of Merton’s personal history and his ever-developing interests. Once you’ve read this much, you are launched on the good ship Thomas Merton! Happy sailing, happy reading! — Donald Grayston
CHAPTER EVENTS Book Launch at November Public Lecture Join us at 6:30 pm on Mon. Nov. 19 at Canadian Memorial United Church, 1806 West 15th Ave., for Christmas goodies and refreshments before the public lecture at 7:00 pm, and shop for books and other gift items at Vine & Fig Tree’s special Christmas book display. That evening we will be “launching” Ross Labrie’s new book, Thomas Merton and the Inclusive Imagination which has just been released by the University of Missouri Press. Ross is Professor of English at UBC, a member of our Board of Directors, and a renowned Merton scholar. This book explores the relationship between Merton’s far-reaching imagination and his capacities as a writer. Ross’s other writings on Merton include The Art of Thomas Merton and The Catholic Imagination in American Literature. Congratulations to Ross on his latest book! Following this special reception and book launch, we will welcome Dr. Monica Weis, SSJ, who will speak on Merton’s nature writings, particularly his journals. Dr. Weis is the Rosemary A. White Professor of English at Nazareth College, Rochester, NY where she teaches American nature writers, colonial American literature, rhetoric, and courses in the English Education program. She is currently working on a book on Merton and nature. Monica will repeat her lecture the following evening – Tues. Nov. 20 at 7 pm – at Trinity Western University, 7600 Glover Road in Langley, BC.
Pilgrimage to Gethsemani Jonathan Montaldo, editor of The Intimate Merton and Dialogues with Silence: Prayers & Drawings, will lead a pilgrimage retreat to the Abbey of Gethsemani for BC Chapter members from January 2 - 6, 2003. Beginning in June 2002, Jonathan will write six “pilgrim letters” that will commence our pilgrimage journey together. “Shining Like the Sun: A Pilgrimage Retreat to Gethsemani” is limited to 20 participants. For more information, please contact Judith Hardcastle at 604-669-2546.
2002 Multifaith Calendar Celebrates “Mountain Wisdom” Multifaith calendars are on sale for $12.00 at every BC Chapter event – or you can order them through the ITMS, BC Chapter. The multifaith calendar provides accurate dates and information for thirteen major faiths, and is an essential source of information for all who want to become enlightened global citizens. Through the dedication of this edition to “Mountain Wisdom” its depiction of these enduring and mysterious wonders of creation, the Multifaith Calendar joins the United Nations in celebrating the year 2002 as the International Year of Mountains. By purchasing a calendar, you are also assisting the work of our Chapter because a percentage of the proceeds returns to us.
Need Ride to Public Lecture? If you would like a ride from the West End (or can provide a ride) to the Merton lectures at Canadian Memorial United Church, please call the ITMS, BC Chapter at 604-669-2546. Especially on these dark and sometimes wet winter nights, car-pooling would make transportation much easier for those who rely on public transit.
CHAPTER NEWS
SPECIAL EVENTS
Audiotape Lending Library
UBC Humanities Storefront,
The BC Chapter now owns 65 of Merton’s 106 taped talks to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani. His stimulating and insightful teachings are worthy of your time and reflection. These talks are yet to be published so they give you an opportunity to hear material you may not yet have encountered in your reading of Merton. Tapes may be borrowed by any member of the ITMS, BC Chapter. They are excellent for commuters and for those who wish to hear Merton’s voice articulating his thoughts and scholarship. (It is worth investing in a membership just to borrow these tapes!)
New Members on ITMS, BC Chapter Board
49 West Cordova (north side between Abbott & Carrall Streets). An introduction to Thomas Merton with Judith Hardcastle. Thurs. Nov. 22 at 7 pm. Free. Info: 604-633-5355. Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church,
Bainbridge Island, Washington. “Making Merton Accessible”, a one-day workshop with Christopher Page. Sat. Jan. 26, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Cost: 20.00 USD (includes lunch). Info and registration: 206-842-3098. Whitby’s Book Store & Coffee House,
14837 Marine Dr., White Rock. Three Merton evenings with Lynn Szabo: Mon. Jan. 28, 7-9 pm.: “The Seven Storey Mountain: Spiritual Mappings for the 21st Century” Mon. Feb. 4, 7-9 pm.: “Thomas Merton: Poet/Mystic” Mon. Feb. 11, 7-9 pm.: “Thomas Merton: The Sounds of Silence” As space is limited, please reserve with Whitby’s. Cost: $5.00. Info and registration: 604-536-3711. Co-sponsored by Whitby’s Book Store & Coffee House and the ITMS, BC Chapter.
The BC Chapter is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members. Susan Cowan is well known to all of you as the person who meets you at the door at every Merton event. Susan works as Coordinator of Volunteer Programs at SNAP (Society of Special Needs Adoptive Parents) and has been volunteer Community Relations Coordinator for the Merton Conference & ITMS, BC Chapter for two years. Festival of the Arts, Her work in relation to the Canadian Memorial United Church & Grace’s House ITMS, BC Chapter has been (excerpted) Centre for Peace, 1806 W. 15th integral to its growth and success. Avenue at Burrard. Conference theme: On the summit: it stands on a fair summit Susan McCaslin, Professor of “Merton & Multifaith Dialogue: Prepared by winds: and solid smoke English at Douglas College, Transcending Religious Barriers” Rolls from the chimney like a snow cloud. brings her excellent Merton Featured plenary speakers are Bonnie Grace’s house is secure. scholarship as well as her Thurston, specialist on Merton and enthusiasm and insight to us. We Buddhism, Sidney Griffith, Islam and Between our world and hers are indeed fortunate to have their Merton scholar, and Edward Kaplan Runs a sweet river: participation in our Chapter’s who has explored Judaism and (No, it is not the road, unfolding and growing future. Merton. Locals Don Grayston and It is the uncrossed crystal In other news about our Lynn Szabo will offer workshops to Water between our ignorance and her truth.) Directors, in late November, Lynn complement conference activities. Szabo will present a seminar on The Festival of the Arts on Sat. O paradise, O child’s world! Merton in Calgary, a follow-up to evening will feature visual arts, dance, Where all the grass lives the Symposium at the University music and ethnic food. And all the animals are aware! of Calgary, last September. Judith Fri. March 15 and Sat. March 16. The huge sun, bigger than the house Hardcastle will be traveling to Stands and streams with life in the east Cost: $75.00. Info: www.merton.ca Louisville and the Abbey of While in the west a thunder cloud Gethsemani in December, both to Moves away forever. Vancouver Public Library, do research at the Thomas Merton 350 W. Georgia Street at Hamilton. – Thomas Merton Center and to make a retreat. Winter 2002 “Merton Author Series” Donald Grayston will be featuring Bonnie Thurston, Edward traveling to Louisville in February Kaplan, Sidney Griffith and others. to speak on “Merton and the Thurs. March 14 at 7 pm, Sat. March 23 & Sat. March 30 at Holocaust” at a Merton and Judaism Conference sponsored by 10:30 am. Free. Co-sponsored by VPL and the ITMS, BC Chapter. The Thomas Merton Foundation. He is also a keynote speaker at a Merton conference sponsored by the ITMS of Great Britain and Thomas Merton in France, Ireland in early April. Judith will also be attending the an offering of the Pilgrimage Program, in cooperation with conference in England, presenting a paper on Merton and the Humanities Department at Simon Fraser University, and interfaith dialogue. We wish everyone well in their Thomas the ITMS, BC Chapter. Ten days in Prades, France – Merton’s Merton ventures! birthplace – with trips to St. Michel de Cuxa, St. Antonin & This fall, the Merton author series at the Vancouver Montauban. May 13 - 23, 2002. Info: Don Grayston at Public Library and the lectures and discussions in the Valley 604-291-5516 or www.reg.sfu.ca/iess/merton/ have been a great success.
2002 WINTER/SPRING LECTURE SERIES Mon. Jan. 21 Mon. Feb. 18 Mon. April 15 Mon. May 6 Mon. June 17
Sheilla Fodchuk Tom Del Prete Robert Inchausti David Leigh Susan McCaslin
“The Mystical Eye of Faith” “Merton, Human Relatedness and Quantum Physics” “Thomas Merton’s American Prophecy” “The Seven Storey Mountain as Modern Spiritual Autobiography” “Holy Wisdom: Merton and Hagia Sophia”
Quarterly News is published in January, April, August and November by the International Thomas Merton Society, BC Chapter. Address: ITMS, BC Chapter, 705 - 700 Chilco Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 2R1 Tel: 604/669-2546; Fax: 604/669-2594; Email:
[email protected] • Website: www.merton.ca • Co-editors: J. Hardcastle, L. Szabo • Community Relations Coordinator: Susan Cowan • ITMS Directors: Susan Cowan, Don Grayston, Judith Hardcastle, Ross Labrie, Susan McCaslin, Sharon Moore Cooke, Lynn Szabo. • Design: Starfish Communications
