The Chicago Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society is honored to present a close friend of Thomas Merton's and recently retired trustee of the Merton Legacy Trust, Tommie O'Callaghan, as our guest speaker at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 18, in the rectory assembly of Immaculate Conception Parish, 7211 W. Talcott (just west of Harlem Avenue) Chicago. There is free parking in the adjacent lot, and signs will be posted directing you to the rectory assembly.
This very special visit was arranged by ITMS member Rev. Dr. Marilyn Hendricks, who will lead the discussion.
Tommie is flying in and returning to Louisville the same day, so the meeting will begin promptly at 2 p.m. and conclude about 3:45 p.m. so she can get to Midway Airport for her departing flight. Members are invited to come between 1 and 2 p.m. for fellowship before the discussion gets underway. A brief business meeting will be held at 1:45 p.m. just prior to the discussion. Pastor Hendricks will interview Tommie about her friendship with Thomas Merton, followed by questions from the audience.
The Merton Encyclopedia offers this biography:
Thomasine ("Tommie") O'Callaghan, wife of Frank O'Callaghan, had attended the College of the Sacred Heart at Manhattanville, Purchase, New York, where Daniel Walsh was one of her teachers. It was he who first introduced Thomas Merton to the O'Callaghan family. Merton became a welcome friend and was a frequent visitor at the O'Callaghan residence in Louisville. To the seven children of Tommie and Frank he soon became "Uncle Louie." It was his first experience in many years with any sort of family life. When Merton chose the members of his legacy trust, he wanted someone from Louisville, and Tommie O'Callaghan was the ideal choice. She has continued to be an active member of the Merton Legacy Trust. (She is the one remaining original trustee; the other two Naomi Stone and James Laughlin, have been replaced by Robert Giroux and Anne McCormick, respectively.) WHS (Fr. Wm. Shannon) (Since the encyclopedia's publication in 2002, Robert Giroux has died and was replaced as a trustee by Peggy Fox; and Tommie recently retired and has been replaced by Mary Somerville.)
Marilyn serves as a Lutheran pastor and was among three scholars awarded 2008-2009 Shannon Fellowships for a project on “The Spirituality and Ethics of Thomas Merton." She attended the 11th ITMS conference in Rochester, where she invited Tommie to visit our chapter.
We hope you will be able to attend this very special and rare event, and feel free to bring a friend.
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