Updates from the Sisters June 2024

A MESSAGE FROM OUR MOTHER FOUNDRESS,
HARRIET MONSELL

"Oh, how blessed all the inner circles of love are! May we all rise up and find our center in God, and then may God shed down upon us rays of Divine Love and gladness! If we dwelt more in it, we should ascend more quickly to God, even in the midst of our busiest life, and the full blessedness of God’s loving presence would descend upon us. Dwell in that thought. GOD is LOVE, and thus you will find an anchor for your soul, sure and steadfast."
-Harriet Monsell

(The calligraphy image of Mother Harriet's words was made by Sister Barbara Jean)

​COMMEMORATION DAY - OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Former Presiding Bishop
​the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Our 150th Anniversary Commemoration Day, June 15, exceeded our expectations in every way!

Over 180 guests attended and God answered our prayers for good weather. Former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was our preacher and celebrant, and her sermon was so spiritually uplifting that all who heard it were deeply moved. You may read her sermon by CLICKING HERE.

​The Eucharist was followed by a luncheon in a tent on the cloister which featured historian Valerie Bonham and St. John Baptist School Alumna Chris Chrystal as guest speakers. What a true joy it was for us to reunite with so many friends, most of whom we have not seen since before the pandemic. 

We give thanks for all who attended, and for all who generously made donations to the CSJB Capital Campaign in honor of our 150th anniversary of ministry in the United States.

​Your donations raised $40,793 toward the replacement of the 116-year-old roof at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. Combined with the $71,164 we have already raised, that brings us to a grand total of $111,957 towards our $500,000 goal!

Oblate Moya Keating and Sister Monica listening to speeches in the tent.

CSJB Associate Margaret Dohnalek has offered a $50,000 matching challenge to help raise funds for the roof. If another generous donor contributes $50,000, Margaret will match it so that $100,000 can be added to our funds. Please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] if you would like to meet Margaret’s challenge. Thank you, Margaret!

Photos by Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, the Rev. Vicki McGrath, the Rev. Diana Wilcox, Marianna Klaiman, and MaryJane Boland. 

Click on the image below for a slideshow of Commemoration Day photos.

SUMMER BREAK FOR CSJB ONLINE

Heads’ up! The Newsletter will take a break in July and August and return in September, as will our online First Friday prayers. Many thanks to our hardworking Online Prayer Team which is comprised of CSJB Oblates and Associates who donate their time and expertise to bring prayer to the people on Zoom.

CELTIC JOURNEYS - IRELAND

from Sister Margo Elizabeth:
​Greetings everyone! Another wonderful trip behind us to mystical, magical Ireland. The weather was great for a week, then a few cloudy days. If it rained, it was a few drops while driving on the coach or at night when we were all sleeping.
​
So where did we go? After flying  into Dublin we went to St Patrick’s Cathedral (Jonathan Swift was Dean there in the 1700’s.) 

​Then the group could explore the lovely city on their own (Trinity College Book Of Kells exhibit, and the National museums and Library.)

​Then up to the Wicklow mountains to Glendalough, the extraordinary monastic ruins began by St Kevin. We stayed there for 2 nights. 

​Kildare and Brigid’s holy well followed the next day, and then Clonmacnoise, a pastoral monastic settlement on the River Shannon founded by St Kieran. 

Overnight for 2 nights in charming Westport where we were only 15-20 minutes from Ireland’s Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. 

Kylemore Abbey for Pentecost Sunday was a treat. 

And overnight in the Burren. Conor our B&B owner took the group over to the 12th century ruins of Cistercian Corcomroe Abbey. 

On to the ancient Poulnebrone Dolman, a Neolithic burial site dating to 2500-3500bc.
And then up to the majestic Cliffs of Moher. We arrived just as a sea mist rolled in, creating a very mystical atmosphere!

Back on the road, we then headed toward Killarney, crossing the River Shannon on a ferry.
3 nights in Killarney gave us a centrally located spot for the Dingle Peninsula one day and the Ring of Kerry the next. Both were spectacular, indeed!

Our last afternoon was near the airport (only 15-20 minutes away.) Shannon Heritage has an historic village from the 1800’s where you can leisurely walk. The thatched roofed cottages and animals bring you back in time. One feels transported! And then nearby on the grounds is Bunratty Castle with its original furnishings from the 1500’s. 

Our return flight left Shannon Airport the following day.
All in all, a great trip and a great group!
The dates are already set for next year. Come with us! You won’t regret it. As someone from our trip this year aptly expressed,
“It was both moving and fun.” 

https://www.celticjourneys.org/new-ireland

MONASTERY IN MENDHAM - SEPTEMBER 28 FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM

Monastery in Mendham, the beloved event that opens the Convent to the public for tours, is back this coming September. As we have done many times in the past, we will be leading tour groups through the Convent and educating the public about our historically significant, 1915 French Eclectic architectural treasure. The last tour begins at 4 PM. Event closes at 5 PM.

The chapter room in 1915

Admission is $30 and includes one free appraisal of an antique per ticket holder.

Antiques to be appraised must be small enough for one person to carry. Appraisals of additional items will be $10. Please note that the tour involves quite a lot of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
 
If you are interested in attending or if you’d like to volunteer to help, please contact event organizer Armstead Johnson at [email protected].

​THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

Children, staff and ACT volunteers at the Good Shepherd Home

Here is an update from Aben Cistus, who grew up at the Good Shepherd Home, became a petroleum engineer, and then founded the ACT Foundation to teach technology to poor and orphaned children: “ACT Foundation's Mega Outreach at Good Shepherd Home on May 30 was a heartwarming success! We had the honor of attending the end-of-year academic celebration at Redeemer Nursery and Primary School. Our musical set filled the air with joy and excitement, making the event truly unforgettable. 

We celebrated the top achievers by gifting the first three pupils in each class (a total of 37 gifts), and everyone enjoyed a delicious feast of watermelons and mangoes! The children's smiles and laughter were the highlights of the day."

Akwa Gilbert, the first child ever received at the Home, is continuing to bring medical care to the poorest of the poor in Cameroon. Through the generosity of our donors, he recently rescued a homeless mother and her baby and provided housing and medical care for them. The baby is named God-gift, and Gilbert now reports “My heart is still filled with so much joy. That's our God-gift a big boy now. God is doing wonders through the mother Jane Legacy foundation. To God be the glory. Thank you, Mother, for all the support you gift to us.”

Aben Cistus and Akwa Gilbert want to thank all the generous donors, especially Margaret Dohnalek, for supporting the Good Shepherd Home and their foundations. Your kindness makes a world of difference in the lives of so many African children.

Gilbert sent us these before and after pictures of God-gift. What a miracle of healing and love!

You can find the ACT Foundation at the ACT Foundation page on Facebook. Please consider following their account on TikTok by clicking HERE.
 
Check out Akwa Gilbert’s Mother Jane Legacy Foundation at:
https://www.mj-legacyfoundation.org/ and
https://www.facebook.com/MotherJaneLegacyfoundation, to see the many ways that Dr. Akwa Gilberto and his team bring medical care to the poorest of the poor. Dr. Gilberto was the first child ever to be received at the Good Shepherd Home.
 
You can also sponsor the Good Shepherd Home for as little as $40 a month. Please email [email protected] if you’d like to find out more.

​

WINGS OF HEAVEN AT TRINITY WALL STREET

CSJB Associate Marianna Klaiman is co-curating an exhibit of CSJB’s ecclesiastical embroidery at Trinity Wall Street with Steven Leavitt, Principal, Transfiguration Vestments. The exhibit, which is called Wings of Heaven, has been running since June 2 and will close on July 2. It showcases a wonderful variety of winged creatures brought to life in textiles and vestments, and explores the imagery of celestial beings, birds, flying insects, etc. and how they have been incorporated into vestments as part of our liturgy and spiritual understanding of the Divine.  

The exhibit also tells the story of the adoption of vestments within the context of the Oxford Movement in America, as well as the establishment of religious communities, the church workroom, embroidery guilds, and New York City vestment retailers. 
 
The Angel superfrontal and burse, a memorial to Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix made by the Sisters of CSJB and designed by Durr Freedley is the centerpiece of this exhibition. 

Please note that the exhibition will take place in the Trinity Library located within the Trinity Commons building. 
 
For more information, contact Marianna Klaiman at her Sacristies of New York Website by CLICKING HERE.

CSJB Embroidery at Trinity Wall Street

Angel superfrontal, burse, and chasuble embroidered by the Sisters of CSJB

Marianna Klaiman with Sr. Pamela

A BIG TRANSITION FOR OUR
​BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT

L to R: Sister Monica, Ken's wife Dawn, Ken, Ken's sons Brandon and Ryan

On May 31, our Estate Manager Ken McCurdy retired after working at CSJB for 19 years. He came here with his family in 2005 when his two sons were just kids.

​He has seen the Convent through many snowstorms, fallen trees, plumbing nightmares, boiler problems, and so much more. We all give thanks to Ken for his many years of service to CSJB and we wish him and his wife, Dawn, all the best in their new home in South Carolina. 

Luckily Ken’s sons Ryan and Brandon are staying on as co-estate managers. We are grateful to them for remaining in New Jersey to faithfully care for the place where they both grew up.
​

MENDHAM FAITH LEADERS – OUTDOOR WORSHIP

The Mendham Faith leaders, which is comprised of local churches from several denominations, held an ecumenical outdoor worship on June 9 at Lewis Morris Park. The worship was followed by a picnic and outdoor games, and was attended by parishioners from St. Mark’s Mendham, Hilltop Presbyterian, Mendham United Methodist, Grace Lutheran and Brookside United Church of Christ. A recording of the event can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

L to R: Pastor Julie Haspel from Grace Lutheran, Sister Deborah Francis, Mary Ballard, the Rev. Lorna Erixson at the June 9 outdoor worship.

The Mendham Faith Leaders co-sponsor ecumenical events throughout the year. Keep an eye on our events list for upcoming Christmas, Lent, and Holy Week events in 2024/2025.

ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE

5th Ave. Presbyterian retreatants at St. Marguerite's

June has been another busy month at St. Marguerite’s.

​We hosted several groups including a women’s sobriety group, Church Women United, “The Peace We Crave” women’s group, St. Peter’s Morristown staff, and a group from Fifth Avenue Presbyterian from New York City. We Sisters always love to see guests enjoying our beautiful outdoor spaces and walking trails. 

If you’d like to bring an overnight retreat group or a day group to St. Marguerite’s please contact Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos at [email protected] or call 973-543-4582.

5th Ave. Presbyterian retreatants at St. Marguerite's

OUR BOY SCOUT TROOP

The Sisters of CSJB chartered brand-new Boy Scout Troop 130 in 2022, and the Troop already has two Eagle Scouts! Here is the announcement of the latest Eagle Court of Honor from Troop Leader Lawrence Morris:

“On Saturday June 1st, Will Morris was awarded his Eagle Scout badge in an inspirational and patriotic Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at Hilltop House. Will was celebrated by many friends, family and distinguished guests, including NJ State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Field Representative Kristen Doran of Congressman Thomas Kean Jr.’s office, Patriots’ Path Council Commissioner Jay DeBoey and Fishawack District Executive Director Shawn Trimmer. 

Will Morris with his dad, troop leader Lawrence Morris, at the Eagle Court of Honor

Max Harner with his Eagle Scout award

Will, having completed his Eagle requirements in February, is Troop 130’s second Eagle Scout in the troop’s recent history; Tr 130 served the Brookside area in the ‘60’s-‘80’s.   

Will is a 3rd generation Eagle Scout: his grandfather, George, and his father Lawrence, earned their Eagle Scout Awards in 1952 and 1988 respectively.
Congratulations Will!”
 
Sister Monica Clare gave the invocation at Will’s Eagle Court of Honor. He joins Ian Braun in receiving the Eagle Scout rank. Max Harner will soon be recognized as an Eagle Scout as well. We Sisters are so proud of these outstanding young men. 

A special thanks from the Sisters needs to be made to Lawrence and Will Morris, who showed up within 20 minutes to clear a tree that had fallen on the driveway at the Convent on June 21. The weather was hot, the tree was gigantic, and it was well after 8:30 PM, but the Scouts came to our rescue!
​

COMMUNITY PRESENTS AT NJ HISTORY AND
​HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
From CSJB Associate Julie Crawford​

At the 2024 NJ History and Historic Preservation Conference, the Community provided attendees an opportunity to learn about why The Community of St John Baptist was designated as one of NJ's 10 Ten Endangered Historic Sites in 2023.

​The 2-day event was held in Jersey City at the historic train terminal located at Liberty State Pack and at the student center at  New Jersey City University. In addition, Sister Linda Clare and Associate Julie Crawford participated in a behind-the-scenes hard-hat tour of the Ellis Island Immigration Buildings and the Medical Hospital to learn about how these buildings were being preserved and restored. Some of these buildings were constructed using the engineering materials and techniques used to construct the Convent.

Sister Linda Clare and the Conference display

Original convent design by artist Durr Friedley, head of the Decorative Arts Department at the Metropolitan Museum

Sr Linda Clare networked with Slate Roof Restorations at the conference & won their business card drawing.

Hard hat tour of the medical building at Ellis Island

View from Ellis Island Immigration Center showing the Statue of Liberty in the Harbor

At the Community of St John Baptist conference display, the artwork piece that depicted the original conceptual design attracted many observers to spark conversation.  This piece was used to contrast current conditions and educate participants on the current restoration needs for several projects:  the roof at St Marguerite's Retreat House, the stucco facade on the Convent, the garden walls, and the Cemetery. 

​The conference display also included information on the Community Vestments and retreat and pilgrimage offerings.

Sr Linda Clare had a chance to reconnect with Annabelle Radcliffe-Trenner, Principal of Historic Building Architects, LLC. Annabelle is the architect who designed and oversaw the Replacement Terracotta Roof Project at the Convent

The Y at Ellis Island Immigration Hospital that Sealed One's Fate. Those with potentially contagious diseases went there immediately, often leading to some on-the-spot separation of families.

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR:

​Visual Details of Areas in Need of Restoration
​
Digital Presentation at the Conference
Vestments Display
​
Capital Campaign Bookmark 
​OR
Our Capital Campaign - Community of St John Baptist (csjb.org)
​

HONORING THE PAST WITH RECONCILIATION:
INWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD SHELTER DESIGN
Community of St John Baptist Associate Julie Crawford

Sister Linda Clare with Presenters Mark Garner & Peggy King Jorde

As part of the 2024 NJ History and Historical Preservation Conference, Sister Linda Clare and Associate Julie Crawford attended a workshop sponsored by The Community.  Sr Linda Clare met with Mark Garder, AIA, Principal Jacklitsch/Gardner Architects and Assistant Professor, New School /Parsons and Peggy King of King Jorde Cultural Projects Consulting.

The workshop, Paved Paradise: Returning Dignity to Lost Graves at Inwood, presented the design process associated with the building of a new men's shelter in the Inwood neighborhood at 10th Avenue in New York City.  When 10th Avenue was constructed an enslaved Afro-American burial ground was removed.  Through the diligence of researchers, it was discovered that the removed bones were donated to the Natural Museum of History.

Sacred Space Design

Burial Mounds before 10th Avenue Construct in Inwood Neighborhood at the turn of the last Century

Currently, the location is an abandoned property that will be transformed to include a sacred space which will be opened to the public as part of the redevelopment design.  In addition to reconciliation for African-Americans, the project also includes ties to the Lenape; as such, a theme centered on sweetgrass basketry is interwoven in the conceptual design of outer walls and a green space mound will be included.

The project is tied to the work of the Bowery Residents Committee BRC, a non-profit organization that addresses homelessness by providing shelters and transitional services. The Inwood Shelter and Memorial confront a different but equally important issue for new developments in a city with layers of history. Having discovered that the project's site had once been a burial ground for enslaved Africans and a Lenape Ceremonial Site, BRC chose to engage and include, to listen and to learn from the voices of hundreds of stakeholders.

Large Scale Sweetgrass Motif Design for outer walls of Inwood Men's Shelter Sacred Space

The Community is proud to learn and share about BRC and their Advisory Group for the Inwood Sacred Site (AGISS) to build a place for all to reflect on the
e past and find shelter in the present.

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW:
To Learn More about the Inwood Shelter Project
To Learn More about BRC
To Donate to BRC

ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

Our Associates and Oblates constantly give of their time and energy to serve as tech hosts for online prayer, event volunteers, and celebrants at our daily Eucharist.

We keep you all in our daily prayers and we thank you for your commitment to our mission and ministry.

​We would also like to sincerely thank the CSJB Associates and Oblates who have chosen to generously devote their time and energy to serving on our boards.

Sister Pamela, Jennie, and Sister Monica with Oblates at the Convent during their Oblate retreat in May.

Deacon and CSJB Associate Barbara Jensen (R), with retreat house guests in the Convent chapel

The Rev. Timothy Mulder is our new CSJB Foundation Board President and fellow Associates Marianna Klaiman, Wayne Walton, and the Rev. Danielle Baker are our new board members.They join long-serving Associate Dave Sullivan on the Foundation Board.

​We also thank Associate Joe Boney, who is our new St. Andrew’s Board President. He serves alongside Associate (and alum) Christine Brodeur, Liz Siminoff, and Steven Hansbury. 

If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate or Oblate, please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

Beautiful St. John Baptist School mugs made by alumna Karen Augustine Miller

Don’t forget to register for the special 150th Anniversary St. John Baptist School reunion August 24 at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. For more information, email alum Pam Nelon at [email protected].
 
We ask your prayers for alumna Joyce McGirr and her family after the loss of Joyce’s brother David Leonard Bearden. His obituary can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
 
We also ask your prayers for alumna Elizabeth Krijgsman and her family for the death of her brother Mossman.

For updates from your fellow alums, go to the St. John Baptist School Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.
​

CSJB BOOKS

We are thrilled to announce that the latest book about the Community of St. John Baptist, The Second Spring, is now available to order.

Author Valerie 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 options

​

From Generation to Generation: Essays by Children of Holocaust Survivors, published by the Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study,is a compilation of eleven essays written by ten second-generation Holocaust survivors. 
Sr. Eleanor Francis, CSJB is one of the writers. 
The first printing of our From Generation to Generation is entirely sold out.  We are waiting for a second printing. 
If you'd like to order a copy, we can place you on the waiting list. The cost is $15, plus shipping. Please contact Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected] to order.
​
The second printing of the book is now available. The Holocaust Center has also produced a free Online version, which is available on the Drew University Holocaust/Genocide Center website. 
​​

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 Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] if you are interested in joining.

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

CLASS: WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN
​TO GOOD PEOPLE
​Every Friday morning  - On Zoom
The Friday morning “Jewish Jesus” class is now reading  When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner. The class continues to include 50% Christian and 50% Jewish participants. 50% are men and 50% are women. We have an interesting mix! 

If anyone is interested in learning more about the class, please contact Sr. Eleanor Francis at [email protected].
​

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR

Sr. Linda (L) with Sr. Mary Lynne and Clara in the library

• 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

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

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
Joyce
Judith
Juli and 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
Mossman​, Jr.
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
Tiffany
Tom
Tommy
​Trinity
The Trout Family
The Van Dine Family
Virginia
Warren
​Will

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

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO

• 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:

Sister Suzanne Elizabeth celebrated her 55th Anniversary of Life Profession on May 26. We give thanks for her many decades of service. 

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
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 Famil

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
Alix Weisz
Joannah Wilmerding

The DCLM Fund
​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

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.
 
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

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

Our Garden of Hope, which provides between
​800 and 1,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries every year.

YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

Sister Suzanne Elizabeth and Jennie on the cloister

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.