Updates from the Sisters EASTERTIDE 2026

Baptismal bowl and statue of St. John the Baptist in the CSJB chapel
​(click on any photo to enlarge)

"O sacred love of Jesus, you chose to enter the grave and share in the deepest humiliation of our fallen human condition, so that you might rise again and shine with complete joy on all who sorrow, forever.

I adore you, because you have freed us from the power of the grave and opened the way to eternal life."

-Mother Harriet Monsell, Foundress of CSJB

​HOLY WEEK AND EASTER AT THE CONVENT

Many thanks to all our friends, Associates, and Oblates who walked with us through Holy Week – especially the clergy who took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate mass for us. Our daily mass is the wellspring of our lives, and we are so grateful to all who make it possible.
 
Happy Easter, and please enjoy our slideshow of photos from Holy Week 2026!

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

Our CSJB family in Cameroon enjoyed a joyful Easter feast and new clothes thanks to the kindness of our generous donors. Click on the slideshow to see photos of the celebration at the Home.

​Margaret Dohnalek has been a dedicated fundraiser and a generous contributor to the GSH children for many years, and she recently assembled handouts for her home parish’s ministry fair. If you would like to share information on the Good Shepherd Home, ACT Program, and Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, you can view the handouts HERE as inspiration.

Beyond daily care, the Good Shepherd Home’s impact extends through initiatives like the ACT Foundation, which equips youths with vital 21st-century skills, including ICT, tailoring, and woodworking, helping them build self-sufficient futures.

The Mother Jane Legacy Foundation also brings free medical care to the poorest of the poor. Both initiatives were founded by young men who grew up at the Home.

Aben Cistus (L), head of ACT, at a workshop for the Little Drop Orphanage in Grand Hangar, Bonaberi, Douala.

ACT was founded by Aben Cistus, who grew up at the Home, and MJLC was founded by Akwa GIlberto, the first orphan ever accepted at the Home.

​The Good Shepherd Home’s work is supported through tax-deductible contributions made via the Community of St. John Baptist, ensuring that 100 % of donor support goes directly to the children in Cameroon.
                                                                           
To donate to the ongoing costs of the Home,
​email [email protected] or call 973-543-4641 ext. 0.
To learn more, go to www.goodshepherdhome.org
 
CLICK HERE to learn more about the ACT Foundation.
To donate to ACT, email [email protected] or call 973-543-4641 ext. 0. ​
 
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation.
To donate to MJLF, email [email protected] or call 973-543-4641 ext. 0. 

BEAD WORKSHOP AT CHRIST CHURCH IN NEWTON, NJ

The Rev. Danielle Baker invited Sister Linda Clare, Sister Victoria Michelle, and Sister Beatrice Evelyn to lead an Anglican Rosary bead workshop at the 10th annual women’s retreat sponsored by Christ Church in Newton on March 7. Centered on the theme, “God Is Doing a New Thing,” the day-long retreat brought women together for prayer, reflection, and creative exploration of faith. The program featured two plenary sessions, each followed by breakout opportunities for deeper engagement.

(L to R) Sr. Bearice Evelyn, Sr. Victoria Michelle, and Sr. Linda Clare at the bead workshop

n the first plenary, participants reflected on the truth that before God can do a new thing in our lives, there are often things we must first release. The second plenary invited retreatants to prayerfully envision the new work God may be unfolding within them—work that is not only personally transformative, but also a gift to others.

Plenary session at the retreat

The afternoon breakout sessions offered a variety of ways to engage more deeply with the theme. CSJB Associate Cathy Harris led a meditation session, while others participated in a creative vision card workshop. Sister Linda Clare, Sister Victoria Michelle, and Sister Beatrice Evelyn guided attendees in crafting Anglican prayer beads, offering both a hands-on experience and a meaningful tool for ongoing prayer.

Our Sisters are always happy to offer beading workshops to any parish or group. If you are interested in hosting such an event, please email Sister Victoria Michelle at [email protected] to learn more.
​
Sister Victoria also leads labyrinth workshops here at the Convent. If you would like to bring a group to walk our labyrinth, please contact her at the same email address. The labyrinth is a wonderful devotional practice, particularly helpful in these anxious times.

SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 20, 2026 AT 10:30 AM

Make sure to save the date for our annual celebration June 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM. This year’s celebrant and preach will be the Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, 11th Bishop of Newark, and we will have the eucharist at 10:30 AM followed by luncheon on the cloister.
 
If you’d like to volunteer for this event, please email Sister Pamela at [email protected]. We welcome any and all volunteers!

The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes

​THE CSJB CONVENT IN A STEVEN SPIELBERG FILM

In March 2025, our beloved Convent was selected as one of the filming locations for Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg. After an extended period of post-production, the film is now scheduled for release on June 12, 2026.

We are delighted to see our home featured in the film and extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Spielberg and his crew for their unfailing kindness and respect toward us and our staff throughout the shoot. With a production team numbering in the hundreds, every individual, from the director and actors to the wardrobe department, was warm and thoughtful. We are deeply grateful to all of them for making this such a memorable experience.

You can see some tiny glimpses of the Convent in the official trailer from Universal, including the field on our school property being used for the crop circle!

THE GARDEN OF HOPE

Our Garden of Hope has been working hard over the winter and is now ready to emerge for spring. Despite being buried under nearly 2.5 feet of snow and enduring over six weeks of frigid temperatures, the in-ground mini greenhouse has produced fresh greens along with a healthy winter cover crop to enrich the soil. Tomato and pepper seeds were planted recently to begin germination for the coming season.

​Cuttings from the cover crop will also be used to establish a new planting area using the permaculture method known as Hügelkultur—a German term meaning “mound” or “hill” culture—which helps build fertile, moisture-retaining soil.

Most of the Garden of Hope beds are being carefully prepared for the growing season. Four of the back beds have been overseeded with a green cover crop to enrich the soil with nutrients, while several cold-weather vegetables have already been planted. If conditions hold, we anticipate harvesting fresh greenhouse greens this Saturday for Chester Area Senior Housing.
​
Plans are also underway to seed the slope, with a focus on supporting healthy, sustainable growth. 

​To volunteer or to request a tour, please contact Associate Julie Crawford at [email protected] or Sister Linda Clare at [email protected].

​

WOMEN'S RETREAT FOR EPIPHANY CHURCH, SEATTLE

Sister Monica Clare traveled to Seattle to lead a women’s retreat for Epiphany Church from March 13–15. The retreat focused on discovering new ways to pray and was held at the Sacred Waters Center for Restoration and Retreat on the shores of Hood Canal in Union, Washington. Participants enjoyed retreat talks, quiet meditation, and group discussions. They also gathered for a sing-along around the outdoor fireplace, and a courageous few braved the frigid temperatures for a polar bear dip in the waters of Hood Canal.

Sr. Monica (4th from L) with retreatants at Sacred Waters Center

Retreat address at Sacred Waters

Sister Monica also attended the parish Sages Luncheon for seniors, the Rector’s Bible Study, and Evensong.

​Epiphany is a thriving parish that reflects the diversity and gifts of the community surrounding it. Their women’s group has been holding retreats at Sacred Waters for over twenty years. 

ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE

We have been blessed with another full and vibrant month at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. In March, we welcomed a wide variety of groups, including St. Luke in the Fields (NYC), the Matt Talbot community, St. Mary’s Church in Staten Island, Maria Gillan’s Poetry Intensive, the Diocese of Newark’s Lay Retreat, and an ecumenical gathering for a morning of reflection, prayer, and fellowship. It has been a joy to see so many individuals and communities making use of this sacred space for renewal and connection.

Participants at the diocesan Lay Retreat at St. Marguerite's

The morning of reflection, prayer, & fellowship at St. Marguerite's

We were also delighted to host the CSJB Oblates for their annual retreat March . In addition, St. Marguerite’s continues to serve local youth by hosting the weekly meetings of Boy Scout Troop 130.
 
If you are interested in bringing a group to St. Marguerite’s Retreat House, please contact our Retreat House Manager, Brad Kalos, at [email protected].

All our guests appreciate the beauty and hospitality of St. Marguerites, so we are hoping to maintain our retreat ministry by replacing our 117-year-old roof, which has deteriorated significantly during its long life. We hope to raise $500,000 for this project, and so far, we have raised $65,569, mostly through the $50,000 pledged by Margaret Dohnalek and additional $20,000 that Margaret donated in honor of Sr. Barbara Jean’s birthday March 18.

St. Marguerite's c. 1910, with laundry lines in the courtyard. The building still has the original roof from its construction in 1908.

Your gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to protecting this sacred space for generations to come.
 
If you’d like to help, please email our Business Manager at [email protected] for more information. 
​

CSJB ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

From CSJB Oblate Pat McKenzie:
​
The Oblates of CSJB were at St. Marguerite's Retreat House in March for our annual retreat. Our topic was Creativity and Spirituality. We studied the idea that since we are made in the image of God, and God is Creator, it follows that we are designed to be creative. Sr. Deborah Francis led the retreat as we explored this idea with her guidance.
(Paul and Ronnie, we missed you!)

If you are interested in learning more about becoming an Oblate, please contact Pat McKenzie at [email protected]

Seated (L-R): Oblates Carolyn Dunham, Cathy Brunson, Sr Deborah Francis, Susan Negrotto.
Standing (L-R): Oblates John Van Dine, Barbara Harriman, Lorna Erixson, Vanessa Foster, Carol Albert, Doug McKenzie. Photo by Oblate Pat McKenzie.
​

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

There’s still time to plan your trip to Mendham for this year’s St. John Baptist School reunion on August 22 from about 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 PM.
 
This is a potluck, so whatever you bring will be welcome. If you are interested staying overnight at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House, you may contact Brad at [email protected]. Email is the best way to reach him.
 
This gathering is for everyone connected to SJBS—students, teachers, Sisters, friends, and family—whether you graduated from SJBS or attended for only one year, as a boarder or a day student. All are welcome.
 
If you’d like more information about the reunion, please contact Pam Nelon at [email protected]

The chapel at St. John Baptist School in Manhattan around 1883, before the school moved to NJ in 1915.

​LOOKING AHEAD

CENTERING PRAYER
Every Thursday from 7:00 to 7:45 On Zoom
Our Centering Prayer group has been meeting for many years and it is one of our most popular ministries. Guests can gather on Zoom. Please email Br. Philip Muniz, TSSF, at [email protected] if you are interested in joining, and make sure to put "CSJB Centering Prayer" in the "Subject" section of your email.

A description of this silent contemplative practice can be found HERE.

CSJB BOOKS

We are thrilled to announce that the Rev. Valerie Bonham's latest book, The Last Tractarian, is available to order. 

The Last Tractarian is a biographical study of Thomas Thellusson Carter (1808–1901), a key figure in the Oxford Movement. The book explores his life, his role in the 19th-century Anglo-Catholic revival, and his work in founding the Community of St. John Baptist. 

​Please contact Sister Pamela at [email protected] to order. The cost is $25 + $5 Shipping and Handling. This and all of Valerie's books are also available at most online booksellers.
​

The Rev. Valerie Bonham's second book on the Community of St. John Baptist in the U.S., The Second Spring, is also available to order.

Bonham says:
“This book The Second Spring is the sequel to Living Stones, which traced the history of CSJB from the arrival of the first three Sisters in New York in 1874, until 1939.

​Please contact Sister Pamela at [email protected] to order. The cost is $25 + $5 Shipping and Handling.
​

Sister Margo Elizabeth’s book Not Just an Ordinary Pony is now available from most online booksellers. The book tells the extraordinary story of Pony, who lived at the Convent for 27 years and gave spiritual comfort and strength to so many. If you have already purchased the book, we’d like to suggest it as a great gift item for your loved ones. All proceeds go directly to the many ministries of CSJB. To learn more about the book, go to the Not Just an Ordinary Pony website at www.mecolman.com

So many of you have told us you loved the book! Please get the word out. CLICK HERE for buying option

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR

• All who have been affected by COVID
• All who have suffered from gun violence
• All people affected by military conflict.
• All victims of human trafficking.
• All who are suffering grief and illness.
• For peace in the Middle East, peace in Sudan, and peace in Ukraine,
• For refugees throughout the world,
• For our Searchers who are discerning a call to the Religious life, and:

Sr. Victoria Michell and fellow volunteers at Homeless Solutions

Alana
​Alison
​Andy, Gail, and Wendy
​Anna
Annette
​Anne and Stan
Anthony
Aurora
Autumn
Barbara
Bill and Carol
​Brian
Callie Jo
Carol
Carolyn
Chase
Cheryl
Chris and Don
The Clewer Initiative
The Cronenberger Family
Claire
Daniel
Dean
Debbie
Diane
​Donna
Doug
​Ella
Ellen
​Elsie
Erin
​Evan
The Flood family
​Gene
Greg and Pat
Gretchen
Heather
Honor
Hugh
India
Ingrid
​Jack and Carol
Jack Grier's family
James
​Janet
​Janice

​J​arad and Monica
Jason
​Jay
​Jean
Jeanette
Jeff and his children
Jennifer
Jess
Jessica and Brendan
Jim
​Jimmy
Joanna
Joseph
John
John and Family
Jon
Jose
Joyce
Judith
Juli's family
Julian
Kamala
​Kasenia
Kathleen
​Kathy
Karen
Kay
Lana
Larry and his daughter
​Leanne
Lee
Linda and Paul
Linda Lee
Lisa
​Liz
Luke
Margaret
Margaret and family
​Maria
Marjory
​Marne
​Matthew
​Maureen and Donald
McGrath family
Meg
Meyer

Michael
​Michelle
Myles
​Myram
​Nancy
Nicole
Nikki
Noah
Norman
​Paige
Pat and Ellie
Patrick
Patty
​Peter
Phoebe
Rebecca and her family
​Richard and Ginger
River
Rob
Ron
Ronald
​Russ
​Ryan
Salma
Sam and her children
Sarah
Shane
Sheila
Sister Barbara Jean
The Somerville Family
Stefani
Stephanie
​Sue
Sully
Susan and family
Suzanne
Teddy
Tiffany
Tom
Tommy
​Trinity
The Trout Family
The Van Dine Family
Virginia
Warren
​Will

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
We pray especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO

Peach helping (L to R) Sister Joanne, AC, Sr. Beatrice, and Sr. Victoria with the polishing for Easter

• All who have given so generously to our ministries and all who pray for us,
• All who have contributed to the children of the Good Shepherd Home,
• ​Our generous donors who provided funding for our new septic system.
• Our many helpers, volunteers, and those who encourage us,
• All who work for justice, freedom, and peace throughout the world.
• Our local Boy Scout troops and parents
• The Mendham Faith Leaders
• All who contribute towards the preservation of our sacred space
• All who promote the religious life and educate the public about Anglican religious orders, and:

Magdalena Aders
​Carol Albert
Peter J. Arney and George W. Jordan III
​Kathleen Shea Aregood
Donna Aubel
Barbara Barbeau
Nancy Munch-Bilheimer
MaryJane Boland
Joe Boney
The Rev. Valerie Bonham
Carmen Bowser
Christine Brodeur
The Rev. Deacon Cathy Brunson
​The Rev. Deacon Johnine Byrer
Chris Chrystal and Myram Borders
Christ Church, Short Hills
Julie Crawford
Rosemary DaCuna
Hans Dekker and the Hyde and Watson Foundation
Rosina B. Dixon
Margaret Dohnalek
Mary and the Rt. Rev. HerberDonovan
Gerrie Dressler
Lorraine Emanuel
Kay & Frank Failla
Joanne Foster
​John Forney and family
Susan Fuller and family
Mayor Christine Glassner
Bill and Gay Grier
In memorium, Elizabeth S. Halpin
Harris Family

Jane Hayden
​Sister Marcia Hobart
​Margaret Johnson
Bradley Kalos
Judi Kerr
The Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby and family
​Ken and Kathy Kopec
Joyce McGirr
​Holly Meeks
Janet Maulbeck and Interweave
Patrice and Doug McKenzie
​Anne Mell
Jane and Peter Mercer
Connie Moore
​Linda Lee Mundy
Mayor Sarah Neibart
Bart Oates
Jan Paxton
Judy Picciano
Susan and Joseph Pigott
J. Vincent Reppert
Jack and Penny Rohrbach
Michael Reiter
Ed Roworth
Anne Salvatore and family
​The Rev. Dr. Ronnie T. Stout-Kopp
William and Madeleine Thompson
Juli Shea Towell
Myles Varley
​Nick Vytell
Helen Wall
Alix Weisz
Joannah Wilmerding

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

Because the pandemic suspended our ministry of hospitality for 19 months we, like many nonprofits, are still having a very difficult time covering our monthly operating costs.

​We thank all our generous friends, Associates, Oblates, and benefactors who generously give to CSJB to keep Mother Harriet Monsell's dreams alive.
​
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

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.

(L to R seated) Rev. Julie Haspel, Sr. Linda, Pastor Nicolette Siragusa, the Rev. Lorna Erixson
(Standing) Sr. Victoria, Joanne SCC, Sr. Donna SCC, Sr. Beatrice at the Lenten Lunches series, sponsored by the Mendham Faith Leaders

​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.