WELCOME, JODY BARBARULO!
We are very happy to have Jody with us. Please keep her in your prayers as she explores her vocation with CSJB and continues to discern her path. A WALKING MEDITATION AT CSJB
The walk will be led by Cathy Harris, an Associate of CSJB. She is also a group leader and member of the World Community of Christian Meditation (WCCM.org). She welcomes questions about this event and about meditation at [email protected] or 908-723-3362. No registration is required. This is a free event, however donations to CSJB are welcome. “The beauty of the world is God’s tender smile for us coming through matter.” (Simone Weil) THE REVEREND SISTER ANNE PROUDLEY, CSJB 1938-2026.
It might help me to be appropriately concise in this tribute if I state at the outset that Sr. Anne, the last person to join CSJB in England, was also one of the most influential Sisters of the final generation. Having spent most of her life in Scotland and northern England, she graduated with a degree in chemistry from the prestigious University of Edinburgh. She then went on to build a career as a chemist while raising two young sons with her husband. Alongside her professional and family responsibilities, she discovered a calling to lay ministry and became a licensed Reader in the Church of England, serving her local parish through pastoral and liturgical ministry.
It is difficult to underestimate how significant was the coming together of these two strands (original vision and raising of awareness through external facilitation) during the visionary leadership of Mother Jane Olive. By the time of the move from Clewer to Begbroke on 8th September 2001, Anne had followed her call to ordination and soon became curate of Blackbird Lees, a socially deprived suburb of Oxford. Following this, she became Chaplain to the Homeless in the City of Oxford – a place with an unusually high number of homeless people. It was a delight to walk through the city with her as rough-sleepers and beggars enjoyed being recognised by Anne who almost always knew them by name. Here was Mother Harriet’s vision still being lived. Meanwhile, Anne also put the Community in touch with the work of the Roman Catholic Médaille Trust, founded for the rescue and relief of trafficked men and women held in modern slavery. As CSJB began to explore how best to make use of its considerable corporate assets, Sisters were captivated by what they saw and heard of the needs of victims of modern slavery. CSJB enthusiastically began to work directly with the Church of England and for five years entirely funded its central work in the field. ‘The Clewer Initiative’, as the work was known, championed by Bishop Alistair Redfern of Derby, made headlines and was spoken of in both Houses of Parliament. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke glowingly of the role of CSJB in pioneering this work by funding others to do what Mother Harriet and her Sisters would have done themselves. Thus it was that, as the Community’s institutional life and work was clearly drawing to its close, it had probably never had such a high profile in the Church and beyond. In addition, given how few Sisters there now were, CSJB had probably not touched the lives of so many deeply needy people since the Victorian heyday of the rescue work and the ministry in slum parishes. There is no evidence that this work would have come to the notice of the Sisters but for Sister Anne.
Like nature, she abhorred a vacuum, especially if she thought time or opportunity was being wasted or leadership was lacking. All the more extraordinary, therefore, was it that when Anne moved to the St Margaret Sisters’ care home in Chiswick she completely let go of any such concerns. She told me that she had arrived to live in the room in which she would probably die. She was deeply appreciative of those who cared for her and she was much loved. Her final years were spent in the deepening tranquillity of one who, even as her eyesight failed, seemed to see deeply into what awaited her. It was wonderful at to hear Anne’s son, Gavin, speak of how greatly he and Stephen disliked the idea of their mother becoming a Sister. As the years progressed, though, they came to see that this really was who she was meant to be in these final 30+ years of her life. The Gospel reading, chosen by them for the Funeral Eucharist, was the Parable of the Good Samaritan. May she rest in peace. Lister Tonge. Warden CSJB. THE CSJB GARDEN OF HOPE The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. Psalm 67:6
THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA  The Good Shepherd Home has always valued education and a solid spiritual life as the foundation of the children's upbringing The children of the Good Shepherd Home have started school, and thanks to one of our generous donors, their school needs have been taken care of by a $2500 donation. Thirty-eight students received school fees, shoes, sweaters, notebooks, calculators, flashlights, towels, underwear, backpacks and socks to be ready for another year in local schools. Ages of the children at the GSH range from infants to 18, and education has always been one of the primary goals for each child. To donate to the ongoing costs of the Home for as little as $40 a month, email [email protected] or call 973-543-4641 ext. 0. All donations go directly to the children’s needs. CJSB provides administrative and fundraising services free of charge to the Good Shepherd Home. To learn more, go to www.goodshepherdhome.org.
THE CONFERENCE OF ANGLICAN RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN THE AMERICAS  Sister Monica with some of the Superiors from the 19 CAROA Communities, the Rev. David Brinton (Gen. Secy of CAROA), and Bishop Douglas Sparks, head of the Standing Committee on Religious Orders and Christian Communities in the chapel at the Sisterhood of St. John the Diving in Toronto. The Conference of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas (CAROA) is a fellowship of Anglican and Episcopal religious communities that supports, connects, and strengthens vowed religious life across the Americas. From September 21-25, the Superiors of CAROA gathered for their annual leaders’ conference at the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine in Toronto, Canada. During the Conference, Sister Monica Clare stepped down as Secretary/Treasurer after two terms and was elected CAROA Vice President. Bishop Douglas Sparks, chairman of the Bishops Standing Committee on Religious Orders and Christian Communities, attended the Conference and worked with leaders on current and future issues. For more information on CAROA Communities, go to www.caroa.net.  CAROA Superiors with David Brinton on a field trip to the Aga Khan Museum at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto BARD GRADUATE CENTER SUMMER INTERNS AT THE CONVENT 
ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE
This summer, St. Marguerite’s welcomed the Institution for the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC) which has held it annual retreats here for many years. We then hosted a 9-day silent retreat under the leadership of Rabbi Igal Harmelin. Other retreat groups included Hesed, the Diocese of Newark Black Women Clergy, the National Altar Guild, Global Episcopal Ministry Network, and others. If you are interested in bringing a group to St. Marguerite’s Retreat House, please email our Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos at [email protected].  This year's Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC) group at St. Marguerite's BOY SCOUT TROOP 130 Troop 130, which is chartered by the Sisters of CSJB, has been a tremendous help to our community. The Scouts have given their time and energy to projects throughout our campus, volunteered at many of our events, and worked alongside us in the Garden of Hope. Their latest two Eagle Scout projects, by Zach Robins and Conrad Furness, have refurbished areas of our campus that were long overdue for repairs.
OUR REFECTORY PIANO IS LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOME!  We have three pianos at the Convent, and the one in our refectory has not been played in a long time. We’d like very much to give this piano away to a church, school, or home so that it can be played and enjoyed. It is a Baldwin Studio Upright, in good condition, and of course we have no idea what year it was built or who might have donated it to us. If you can pick up and transport, we will provide it free of charge, with bench. Please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] if you are interested. CSJB NOW HAS A ZELLE
REACHING OUT TO GOD’S PEOPLE
ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES  Oblates meeting at the Convent September 12
ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE  (Left to right): Kate Symonds (‘71), Sue Bernthal (‘82), Marin Martin (NG ‘71), Liz Cumming Gheno (‘68), Missy Muendel (‘69), Lynn Mullin (‘65), Carmen Bowser (‘71). Our St. John Baptist school alumnae held their annual reunion at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House on August 22. The gathering was small this year due to several schoolgirls being unable to attend, but a good time was had by all. This annual event is always a wonderful time of fellowship, good food, and laughs. If you’re an alumna and you’d like to stay connected with your fellow schoolgirls, please sign up for the St. John Baptist School Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/groups/334420496671 LOOKING AHEAD
CSJB BOOKS
PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR
We pray especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO
The Northern Trust 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 TO SUPPORT OUR GENERAL FUND
YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB
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