Film and discussion to honor Thomas Merton

The public is invited to celebrate the 100th birthday of American monk and writer Thomas Merton from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at Inhabit, 1970 East Third Ave.

The presentation will feature a new film about Merton.

Jonathan Montaldo will lead a discussion about mindfulness in practicing a spiritual life – a theme of Merton’s. A $10 donation is suggested.

For more information, visit www.inhabit.org or call 749-6707.

Congregation Har Shalom announces programs

Congregation Har Shalom, 2537 County Road 203, will offer these programs:

Havdalah will take place Saturday evening and will be the last event of the summer with Eli Herb. Havdalah means “separation” and is the ceremony that distinguishes between Shabbat and the rest of the week. The event will include singing, Torah teachings, stories, dancing and music. Alison Epstein will host Havdalah in her home. For the address and directions, call 385-7998.

Mitzvah Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Har Shalom. Participants will help prepare the outdoor area for the coming High Holy Days. People are asked to bring yard tools and gloves. Bagels, juice and coffee will be provided. To RSVP, email programdirector@harshalomdurango.org. Last-minute volunteers are welcome.

For more information, visit http://harshalomdurango.org.

Vatican: Ex-envoy, charged with sex abuse, is dead

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican’s former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, the highest-ranking Holy See official to ever be charged with sexually abusing young boys, was found dead Friday as he awaited trial, the Vatican said.

In a statement, the Vatican press office said preliminary checks on Jozef Wesolowski, 67, “indicated that the death was from natural causes.”

A Franciscan priest who works as a confessor in St. Peter’s Basilica found Wesolowski dead at 5 a.m. with the television on in the Vatican room where has been held in modified house arrest for several months, it said.

Herald Staff & Associated Press