UPDATES FROM THE SISTERS - DECEMBER 2023

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMASTIDE!

All of us at CSJB wish you a very Blessed Christmastide and a happy and healthy New Year. Our Bishop Visitor, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, visited us in December and we managed to organize ourselves (and Jennie!) into a group photo in the library, right in front of the photos of our Mother Foundress Harriet Monsell and Canon T. T. Carter. As we look forward to our 150th year of ministry in the United States in 2024, we hope to faithfully continue the mission that was begun by our visionary founders. 
​

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE EPIPHANY PARTY – JANUARY 7

Don’t forget to RSVP to our annual Epiphany party on January 7. The evening begins with Vespers and reception of Associates in the chapel at 4PM, followed by a hymn sing and festive supper at 5PM. It is perfectly fine to skip Vespers and come to the hymn sing/supper. We ask that all our guests be masked this year, as we did last year, to prevent the spread of COVID, RSV, flu, and other illnesses. 

Hymn sing in the parlor at CSJB

Please contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] to RSVP.
If you’d like to bring food, please contact Sister Pamela at [email protected].
 
The Epiphany Party is always a lot of fun. We hope to see you there!
​

ANGEL GIVING GIFTS: A COLLABORATIVE TEAM

The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool with gifts in the chapel at St. Marguerite's

This year The Church of the Messiah  and CSJB collaborated to support clients of the Long Valley Community Assistance Program. CSJB's Bishop Visitor, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of New York, blessed the gifts at the altar of The Chapel in St Marguerite’s Retreat House. 42 gifts were given to 13 children from 4 families.

Sister Linda Clare, along with CSJB Associates Virginia Murphy and Julie Crawford, wrapped and sorted all the gifts by family in the St. Marguerite's refectory.

Sister Linda Clare (L) sorting gifts with Virginia Murphy in the refectory at St. Marguerite's

OUR KNITTING MINISTRY

Sister Margo with one of her knitted creations - a warm lap blanket.

Thanks to our generous friends, we practically have MOUNTAINS of yarn to make into hats, scarves, and lap blankets to help our sisters and brothers who are experiencing homelessness stay warm in the winter months.

​If you’d like to knit items for this ministry, contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected]. We do not require any set patterns for hats, scarves, or blankets, and we can most certainly provide the yarn. Most of our knitted items go to the Hope One program from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, which provides mobile recovery services to addicts and alcoholics.

We welcome all knitters at all levels to help with our knitting ministry.

​SPREADING SOME HOLIDAY CHEER AT CHESTER AREA SENIOR HOUSING:
CAROLING WITH SENIORS 

Sister Linda Clare (R) caroling  with residents at Chester Area Senior Housing in early December

Sister Linda Clare recently joined the collaborative effort of the Church of The Messiah  and the Senior Resource Center and offered carols at the Chester Area Senior Housing (CASH)  Complex Community Center.  

​This was the 4th Annual outreach Holiday program which was started outdoors during the pandemic and has moved from the front lobby meeting room to the complex Community Center.  

Following the event Sr Linda Clare provided two copies of the Book of Common Prayer to residents; one resident is a long time member of the Church of the Redeemer  in Morristown.  Sister Linda Clare also offers a Prayer Box in the CASH lobby year round.

Anyone interested in joining in and expanding next year to include more venues contact Church of Messiah Outreach Team at https://www.messiahchester.org/contact-us.html or Sister Linda Clare at [email protected].

Prior to the event, The Peace on Earth Tree, which was created and sponsored by Associates of The Community of St. John Baptist at the annual Senior Resource Center Festival of Trees , was also reassembled on site by residents. 
 
​CLICK HERE to View Festival of Trees 2023 and other Senior Resource Center events and activities 

CSJB's Peace on Earth tree at CASH

SISTER SUZANNE ELIZABETH, ASSISTANT SUPERIOR

(L to R) Novice Director Sister Pamela, Sister Superior Monica Clare, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, Asst. Superior Sister Suzanne Elizabeth

Sister Suzanne Elizabeth was installed as Assistant Superior by the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool on December 14.

She succeeds Sister Laura Katharine, who faithfully served in the post from 2019 to 2023.  We give thanks to Sister Laura Katharine for her hard work in the position, and we offer prayers of support and guidance for Sister Suzanne Elizabeth as she helps to lead CSJB in the coming years.

​Sister Suzanne Elizabeth has previously served in just about every capacity in the community – including 14 years as Sister Superior from 1983-1997.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME FOR CHILDREN
IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

Every year at the Good Shepherd Home, the children are treated to a new outfit and a Christmas feast made possible by the generous donors who support the Home. This year we are especially grateful to Margaret Dohnalek, whose generous donations to the Home, to the ACT Foundation, and to the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, have helped so many orphans who would have otherwise been forgotten.

​The Good Shepherd Home began over 20 years ago as a work to rescue babies orphaned by the AIDS epidemic, and it has provided a lifelong, loving home to orphaned children ever since. 

Please click on the slideshow to see photos from the Christmas celebrations at the Good Shepherd Home.

Christmas at the Good Shepherd Home with children, Sisters, and staff.

We give thanks for all the kind people who support this work and give vulnerable children a loving, safe home and a bright future.
 
If you are interested in becoming a Good Shepherd Home sponsor for as little at $40 a month, please email [email protected]

The first children received at the Home are now continuing the work of Mother Foundress Sister Jane Mankaa by providing vital ministries to the poorest of the poor in Cameroon. If you'd like to contribute to the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation (Medical care for the poor) or the ACT Foundation (Computer and technical skills for orphans) please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].
​

SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER FESTIVAL OF TREES
"Peace on Earth"

For the 3rd year CSJB Associates have sponsored a tree on behalf of the Community to support the Senior Resource Center of North Jersey Annual Festival of Trees December 2-9 in Chester.

​This year the CSJB theme was “Peace of Earth”.  “Peace on Earth” received the most votes as the festival’s Favorite 4.5-ft tree.  Thank you to Associate and Staff Member Donna MacKenzie for her origami doves and to Sister Victoria and Associate Julie Crawford who decorated the tree. Sister Victoria also created a basket full of verses on Peace for participants' reflections.

The Senior Resource Center, which originated at the Church of the Messiah in Chester and then spun off as a separate non-profit, provides wellness and fitness classes as well as educational workshops and monthly Lunch and Learn programs at local libraries.   SRC continues to receive Diocesan support through Alleluia Fund Grants  as well as other grants and support from Altantic HealthCare , Norwescap , and others.

The Festival of trees offers beautifully decorated trees for sale to the public

Detail from the CSJB "Peace on Earth" tree
​

The Peace on Earth tree won the Best Tree for the 4.5' tall category.

MANASQUAN WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Sister Monica Clare speaking at Manasquan Presbyterian Church

On December 5, St. John Baptist School alumna Marjory Watts Harper (SJBS ’67) invited Sister Monica to be the speaker at the Manasquan Women’s Community Christmas program at Manasquan Presbyterian Church. This annual gathering is one of many events hosted by the Women’s Community, which is comprised of women from many different denominations. 

​The program included a church service with hymns, meditation by Sister Monica Clare, and a Christmas luncheon afterwards. Over 100 women attended this wonderful afternoon of faith, reflection, and fellowship. Our CSJB Sisters have a special connection to Manasquan. Many of them taught Vacation Bible School at the Church of St. Uriel the Archangel in Sea Girt from 1947-1971. 

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

The Mendham Faith Leaders hosted their annual Longest Night service at Hilltop Presbyterian Church on December 21. The service is a time for people to gather together for words of comfort and strength in a time that might not be “holly and jolly” for all. The scripture passages, music, and prayers are meant to provide support and acknowledgement to all who are grieving, discouraged, or lonely during the holiday season. Sister Linda Clare and Sister Monica Clare participated in the service along with Hilltop pastor Scott McCachren, Brookside UCC pastor Nicolette Siragusa, St. Mark’s Mendham rector Lorna Erixson, Grace Lutheran Pastor Julie Haspel, and Elaine Warren from Mendham United Methodist Church.

You may view the recorded livestream of the service by CLICKING HERE.

Pastor Scot McCachren lighting the Advent candles at the Longest Night service

Elaine Warren leads the prayers at the Longest Night service December 21

​OUR BOY SCOUT TROOP

The Scouts and their families decorated our tree so beautifully

The Sisters of CSJB chartered the new Boy Scout Troop 130 in 2022, and since then the Scouts have helped out in our Garden of Hope, our buildings and grounds work, and most importantly – with our Christmas decorating!  This year Troop 130 Scouts and their families joined the Sisters on December 22 to decorate our tree (donated by CSJB Associate Julie Crawford) and to put up garlands and ornaments in the parlor and refectory. We appreciate the Scouts and their families taking time out from their busy Christmas preparations to help make the Convent cheery and bright.
 
If you’d like to learn more about Troop 130, CLICK HERE.

ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE

This month we welcomed the Diocese of Newark Bishop’s staff retreat to St. Marguerites, and we enjoyed seeing Canon Andrew Wright’s photos of the weekend on Facebook so much, we decided to share them here.

We are grateful to Bishop Carlye J. Hughes and her staff for their support of our ministries at CSJB.

​We also welcomed Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Kevin Carey’s Poetry Intensive Weekend December 8-10. This group has been coming to CSJB for many years. We always look forward to seeing them. Maria Mazziotti Gillan's newest poetry collection is When the Stars Were Still Visible (2021). Other recent publications are the poetry and photography collection, Paterson Light and Shadow, and the poetry collections What Blooms in Winter and The Girls in the Chartreuse Jackets, a pairing of her poems with her paintings.

​Maria's artist website is MariaMazziottiGillan.com and her poetry website is MariaGillan.com.
 

Bishop Hughes' staff outside St Marguerite's. Photo by Canon Andrew Wright.​

BIshop's staff meeting in the library at St. Marguerite's. Photo by Canon Andrew Wright.

REIMAGINING HOPES AND DREAMS:
COLLABORATORY POPUP EVENT TO BENEFIT FAITH KITCHEN &
DOMESTIC VIOLIENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS CENTER OF WARREN COUNTY

In September, Church of the Messiah OutReach Team members Elizabeth Girardy and Associate Julie Crawford attended The Collaboratory at Princeton Theological Seminary for training and reflection to design a local PopUp Event aimed at engaging young adults outside the Church setting.  Over the course of seven weeks, the team was joined by Messiah members Dani Pietrowski and other young adults in the region to plan this program. Messiah offers its gratitude to the Sisters for their Blessings and Prayers for Elizabeth as she continues to coordinate the project and for the sponsorship of Sr Monica Clare for guidance.

Elizabeth Girardy (center) with members of the planning team at Princeton Theological Seminary

Visioning diagram for the  Princeton Collaboratory

After community mapping and engaging in a design process to envision activities, the team will host an event in downtown Chester the weekend of January 6, before the Martin Luther King Community Day of Service which is held annually on MLK Day.  Besides collecting items for Faith Kitchen in Dover and the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County, the event will include a variety of community resources as well as the opportunity to share hopes and dreams for our region, creation, and other.   The Dream Board responses will be shared with local and regional leaders and a follow-up website/blog is envisioned.

​CSJB ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

It is always such a joy to receive new CSJB Associates and Oblates into our Convent family. On January 7 at 4PM, we will receive two new Associates in our 2nd floor chapel before our annual Epiphany party. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a CSJB Associate or Oblate, please contact Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected]. 

We are still looking for volunteers for some of our 150th Anniversary events in 2024. If you’d like to help out at Commemoration Day on June 15, 2024, please contact Sister Pamela at [email protected]. If you’d like to help out at Monastery in Mendham Sept. 28, 2024, please please contact Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected]. We look forward to celebrating these happy events with you!

CSJB Associates the Rev. Margaret Otterburn and Julie Crawford in the chapel at CSJB

CSJB Associate Larry Hamil took Sister Monica, Sister Deborah Francis, and Sister Eleanor Francis out to lunch recently at the Nautilus Diner in Madison.

CSJB Associate the Rev. Margaret Otterburn stayed with us at the Convent while she worked at the Festival of trees the week of December 2. She was kind enough to celebrate mass while she was here.

​Margaret has retired from her post as rector at the Church of the Messiah in Chester, NJ but she still serves the Senior Resource Center, which has sponsored the Festival of Trees for 21 years. 

​ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL

St. John Baptist Schoolgirls in the school library in the 1950s

St. John Baptist School Alumna Chris Chrystal (SJBS ’60) recently shared this wonderful Christmas memory from her time at the School:
“When I was at St John Baptist School, we had a Christmas tradition where on a certain night right before we left for the holidays, we would put our shoes outside our bedroom door and the seniors would come around later after lights out and pick up the shoes and polish them. Later they would parade down the hall singing Christmas carols and we would all come out of our rooms and find our shoes all polished up with some candy inside and enjoy the carols. I think they may have had candles lit for the singing. It was very mysterious and beautiful. I felt the Christmas spirit during that evening like I have never felt it again since. Just another story of what the Sisters did for us. It was the Christmas spirit pure and simple with no frills, just the essence and the beauty and peace.”

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 Eleanor Francis at [email protected] if you are interested in joining.

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

CLASS: THE JEWISHNESS OF JESUS
​Every Friday morning  - On Zoom
The Friday morning “Jewish Jesus” class, led by Rabbi Deb Smith and Sr. Eleanor Francis,  has begun a new book:  The Bible with and without Jesus by Amy Jill Levine.
 
There will be a program called "Eastern Spirituality for Western Seekers."  

Please contact Sr. Eleanor Francis at
[email protected] for more info.
​or call 973-543-4649 ex. 3. ​

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR

The family of Valerie Kent
​
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:

Prayers at the crèche​ in the CSJB chapel

Alison
​Andy
​Anna
Annette
​Anne and Stan
Anthony
Aurora
Autumn
Barbara
Bill and Carol
​Brian
Callie Jo
Carol
Carolyn
Chase
Cheryl
Chris
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
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
Ronald
​Ryan
Salma
Sam and her children
Sarah
Shane
​Shaun and family
Sheila
Sister Barbara Jean
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

Sr Victoria serves dinners monthly at Homeless Solutions but there are other ways this organization provides shelter, meals, training, and transitional services to their clients.  Homeless Solutions offers a number of programs through HSI How We Help and HSI Community Connections.

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

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 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
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. Margaret Otterburn 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.
​

Beams of light in the Main Chapel at CSJB

​YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

The CSJB chapel on Christmas Day

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.