KEEPING A HOLY LENT The beautiful words of the Book of Common Prayer invite us, on Ash Wednesday, into the annual Lenten season of self-reflection: “Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 264) We Sisters strive to deepen our prayer lives during these forty days before Easter, and we exhort you to do the same. This year, Ash Wednesday occurs on March 5. Below are some Lenten resources to help you grow closer to God in this time of simplicity.
The Mendham Faith Leaders group includes the Community of St. John Baptist, Brookside Community Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Hilltop Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Mendham United Methodist Church, and St. Joseph Catholic Church MORE LENTEN RESOURCES: Episcopal Relief and Development has excellent resources for Lent. CLICK HERE to learn more and download the ERC Lenten Meditations. The Episcopal Church’s website also offers Lenten Resources for congregations and individuals: CLICK HERE to learn more. The Episcopal Women’s History Project has an online Lenten speaker series which honors women’s ministries in the Episcopal Church. CLICK HERE for more information. CLICK HERE to register for the series. HONORING SISTER VICTORIA MICHELLE
THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA
We are currently looking for new donors, as our monthly fund often runs low. If you’d like to help give these children food, clothing, school fees, medical care, and other vital services, please email our Business Manager Darren Somerville at [email protected] A sponsorship of the Home costs as little as $50 per month. We also accept stand-alone donations in any amount. To learn more about the Home, go to: www.goodshepherdhome.org
Lidwine, a young formerly homeless mother helped by MJLF, will be taking her higher national diploma (HND)in Midwifery this year and she'll be defending her thesis next month, Ransom, also helped by MJLF, will be taking his final exam in secondary school next year, this achievement gladdens our hearts a lot in seeing all these children succeed. Mother Jane Legacy Foundation is pleading with its friends and partners for assistance, so we continue doing what we do. I know we are not alone in this as we know help will come." If you'd like to donate to the Good Shepherd Home, ACT, or the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, please email [email protected]. DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
To register, email André Bernard at [email protected]. To learn more about the Dances of Universal Peace, go to: www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org MANSION IN MAY – May 1-31, 2025
VOLUNTEER DAY AT THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN
Many thanks to Penguin/Random House and to Grace Mudd, Marie Rosseels, and Mary Jane Boland for putting this volunteer day together. For more info. about the Neighbors in Need ministry, CLICK HERE. CSJB POSTULANCY
CSJB KNITTING MINISTRY
THE EPIPHANY PARTY  Singing hymns with our Associates, Oblates, and friends at the Epiphany party. Many thanks to all our friends, Associates, and Oblates who attended our annual Epiphany Party on January 5. We all enjoyed Vespers, reception of Associates, a hymn sing, and delicious dishes – many of which were brought by our guests. Special thanks to Alison Seiner Brown of All Saints Millington for playing piano for us!  The Sisters of Christian Charity gave us a hilarious surprise by dressing up as the 3 Kings and handing out candy! RAISING THE ROOF AT ST. MARGUERITE’S  St. Marguerite's Retreat House was built in 1908.
THE CSJB GARDEN OF HOPE
ACTING AS STEWARDS TO HONOR CREATION By Associate Julie Crawford, Diocese of Newark Climate Action Group Co-Leader  The Community of St John Baptist is highlighted on the One Home One Future website as a leader in 2 of the Seven One Home One Future 7 Engagement Pathways. As We are God’s hands in the world, it is our responsibility to address Climate Change and embrace stewardship towards Creation. In 2021 The Anglican Church, The Roman Catholic Church, and the Greek Orthodox Church for the first time collectively published a joint statement on Climate Change. Joint statement on climate change by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch – The Episcopal Church CLICK HERE to read more about the Episcopal Church's response to climate change. RING OUT FOR EARTH  The Community of St John the Baptist and Mendham InterChurch invites every parish, mission, school, and institution to ring bells, pray, or meditate for 427 seconds (7:07 minutes) on Earth Day Tuesday, April 22, and/or the following Sunday, April 27 at your organization or at home as a call for the urgent need to care for God's creation as the global atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration has reached 427 parts per million (ppm) as measured by the Keeling Curve; a level unprecedented in all of human history. CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels is the human-caused pollution responsible for blanketing and warming the planet. CSJB ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES  The Rev. George Dredden (L) and the Rev. Paul Keene (R) were received as CSJB Associates at Vespers before the Epiphany party. Calling all Oblates! The Day Retreat for CSJB Oblates will take place at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Mendham on Saturday March 8, from 9am - 3pm. The Retreat Leader is Sister Deborah Francis, and she will guide the Oblates in using icons for prayer and reflection. Annual Oblate vow renewals, led by Sister Monica Clare, will take place at noonday prayer during the retreat. The cost of the retreat is $50. Please bring cash or a check made out to "Cash" to the retreat. The Rev. Lorna Erixson will provide coffee and bagels for the morning, and there will be sandwiches for lunch. Please RSVP to [email protected] on whether or not you will be attending, and also let her know your dietary restrictions, if any. Remember to wear your Oblate shirts - for a group photo ;-) If you'd like information on becoming a CSJB Associate or Oblate, please contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected]. ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE
CSJB BOOKS
LOOKING AHEAD
PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR
We pray especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO
The DCLM Fund The Rorbach Family Foundation The Ross Foundation The S.A.D. Foundation The Community of the Transfiguration The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool The Rev. Kevin Coffey The Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD, and the people of the Church of the Redeemer The Rev. John A. Rollins The Rev. Lorna Erixson and the people of St. Mark's Mendham The Rev. Elizabeth Ivell and the people of the Church of the Messiah The Rev. Victoria McGrath and the people of All Saints Millington The Rev. Anne C. Thatcher and the people of St. Peters Morristown TO SUPPORT OUR GENERAL FUND
If you'd like to help us continue our ministries, please consider making a gift to our general fund through our online Paypal portal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CommunityofStJohnBap YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB  Sisters in the Convent chapel with the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool The majority of our buildings, chapel furnishings, Convent and Retreat House furnishings, and ongoing ministry funds were made possible through legacies.
It is mainly through the kindness of legacy donors who believed in our mission that we have carried forward the plans of the Holy Spirit for our Community from 1852 to the present time. The restoration of the Convent in 1960 was made possible by a legacy gift. Before that gift, the Sisters lived at St. Marguerite's for ten years because the Convent repairs were too expensive to undertake. Many thanks to all the kind people who have expressed interest in being CSJB Legacy donors. Our promise to you is that your legacy will continue God's work. CLICK HERE for information about becoming a Legacy donor.
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82 West Main Street Mendham, NJ 07945
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