Updates from the Sisters All Saints - November 2024

Others have labored,
and you have entered
into their labor.
John 4:38

Fall colors by the Main Chapel at CSJB

​IN REMEMBRANCE

Memorial plaques in the Main Chapel with names of American and English Sisters departed

This is the time of year when we watch the leaves turn bright colors and then drop off the trees, reminding us of the eternal cycle of life, death, and life.
 
To mark this season, we Sisters worship in remembrance at the Vigil of All Saints (All Hallows’ Eve) on October 31, then all day on the feast of All Saints, and all day on the feast of All Souls.

​At a requiem mass on All Souls Day of remembrance, we recite the names of our Sisters departed and give thanks for their lives dedicated to Christ. ​In the days following the feast of All Souls, we hold a requiem mass for departed CSJB Oblates and Associates and then another for friends and family members who have passed away this year. ​

The beautiful words of our liturgy remind us to put our focus not on death but on the resurrection. Just as the leaves pass away and are then reborn every spring, so do we all pass away to be born into eternal life. 

Our Sisters Departed:

Harriet, our Mother Foundress
Sister Helen Margaret, Foundress in New York
Sister Augustine
Sister Mary Agnes
Sister Eloise
Sister Clara Elizabeth
Sister Portia
Sister Alice
Sister Edna
Sister Henrietta Mary
Sister Frances Constance
Sister Janita
Sister Florence Sarah
Sister Fanny Margaret
Sister Gertrude Verena
Sister Helena Mary
Sister Anna
Sister Elizabeth Hilda
Sister Ada
Sister Julia Bernardine
Sister Alice Paula
Sister Raphael Grace
Sister Emma Gabriel
​

Sister Mary Angela
​Sister Elisabetha
Sister Agnes Maria
Sister Jessie Gertrude
Sister Julia
Sister Jean
Sister Dora
Sister Mary Perpetua
Sister Katharine Angela
Sister Agnes Johanna
Sister Katharine Sophia
Sister Catherine Faith
Sister Marguerite
Sister Frances Maude
Sister Rachel
Sister Adela
Sister Mary Katharine
Sister Alice Ursula
Sister Elisa Monica
Sister Florence Teresa
Sister Marie Elisabeth
Sister Fanny Helen
Sister Catherine Vera
Sister Virginia Dorothea
​Sister Alice Madeline

​Sister Ada Marian
Sister Laura Claire
Sister Lillian Christine
Sister Sara Josephine
Sister Jeanette Louise
Sister Beatrice Clare
Sister Francina
Sister Elizabeth Roberta
Sister Julia Frances
Sister Ellen Juliana
Sister Mildred Eleanor
Sister Mary Joan
Sister Mary Barbara
Sister Agnes Genevieve
Sister Waldine Lucia
Sister Eleanor Lucy
Sister Margaret Raphael
Sister Winifred Agnes
Sister Elizabeth Marian
Sister Agatha Louise
Sister Katharine Veronica
Sister Susinne Paula
Sister Margaret Helena
Sister Lura Grace

CAROA NEWCOMERS CONFERENCE AT ST. MARGUERITE’S

CAROA Vocations Directors, Novices, and First Professed at CSJB

The Conference of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas held its gathering of Vocations Directors and new sisters and brothers here at CSJB from September 30 – October 4. Vocations Directors from several CAROA orders in the U.S. and Canada gathered at St. Marguerite’s with their Novices and First Professed to learn about community dynamics and share their experiences as senior and junior members. Brother Josép Martínez-Cubero, of the Order of the Holy Cross, did presentations on topics such as “Communication Styles” and “Generational Differences in Community.”

We give thanks for all the new sisters and brothers who have followed God’s call to religious life, and we keep them all in our prayers – especially Niambi Mercado and Diana Baudelaire who will be received here at CSJB as postulants in November. 

To learn more about CAROA, go to www.caroa.net.

CELEBRATING SISTER LAURA KATHARINE

​Our beloved Sister Laura Katharine marked her 89th birthday on October 23, but we held her birthday celebration a little early, on Sunday, October 20 to surprise her!

​Sister Laura Katharine was received as a postulant at CSJB on December 7, 1964. She sometimes jokes that she has had “every job you could possibly imagine” during her sixty years as a Sister. She has served two terms as Assistant Superior, taught at St. John Baptist School, and lived and worked at the CSJB branch house in New York City for 11 years, among many other things.

​She is always available for a pep talk or a hug, and we Sisters are greatly blessed by her presence among us. 

Photos: The Rev. Lorna Erixson, Sisters, and Sr. Laura Katharine with her birthday cake. 

CONCERT AT THE CONVENT

On November 24, the Adelphi Chamber Ensemble will present a concert in the outstanding acoustics of the Convent's main chapel. The program begins at 4 PM and includes Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 13, and Schumann's Quintet for Piano and Strings in E flat major, Op. 44.
 
The concert is part of our Concert at the Convent series, for which all proceeds benefit the CSJB Capital Campaign to preserve our historically landmarked buildings and grounds.

Donations in any amount are appreciated. Checks can be written to the St. John the Baptist Foundation. All proceeds go towards the preservation of our historic buildings.
 
Please contact Sister Pamela at [email protected] for more info. 
 
CLICK HERE to download a flyer to hang in your church or other public space.
​

CALLING ALL TURKEYS!

The Mendham Interchurch Community is once again sponsoring our annual Turkey Drive and Autumn Social to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry Network. Come on down to Hilltop Presbyterian Church, 14 Hilltop Road in Mendham Saturday, November 16th from 10:00 AM to noon. 

Please bring:

Frozen turkeys (up to 20 lbs.)
Frozen turkey breasts
Frozen chickens
Non-perishable cranberry sauce
Stuffing mix
Instant potatoes

Corn muffin mix
Brownie mix
Gravy (can, jar, or packet),
Canned sweet potatoes,
Canned green beans,
Canned corn.

Cider and donuts will be served by the fire pit. The Mendham Interchurch Community (also known as the Mendham Faith Leaders) includes Hilltop Presbyterian Church, Brookside Church (UCC), Community of St. John Baptist, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Mendham United Methodist Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and Grace Lutheran Church.  
 
These congregations will also participate in a Service of the Longest Night (Blue Christmas) service on December 22 at 5PM at Brookside Church (UCC).

THE UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS WILL HONOR CSJB 

The Community of St. John Baptist will be one of four recipients of the Clara Horsley Leadership Award at the Union of Black Episcopalians’ 14th Annual award breakfast on Saturday, November 16. The award honors outstanding leadership in the diocese, and the keynote speaker will be past Clara Horsley Award recipient Christopher Glenn.

Recipients of The Clara Horsley Leadership Award for 2024 include:

• The Rev. Kenneth Boccino, Church of the Savior, Denville (CSJB Associate)
• Jane Jubilee, St. George’s, Maplewood
• Desli Norcross, St. Luke and St. Mary, Hope/Belvidere
• The Community of St. John Baptist

Tickets are $50. Please contact Bob Simmons for Tickets at 862-321-2556
or purchase online here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGNP/campaign/C-14WNV
A portion of the proceeds will support The Marguerite Smith Scholarship Fund.
 
Sponsored by
UBE, Diocese of Newark Chapter
[email protected]
 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME FOR CHILDREN IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

Aben Cistus (Top row, left in blue shirt) with volunteers and children at the Dorcas Foundation Orphanage in Bafoussam where his ACT Foundation led a tech education workshop in September

The Sisters, staff, and children at the Good Shepherd Home are so grateful to the generous donors here in the U.S. who provided funds for a much-needed security wall to protect the property. The Anglophone Crisis, otherwise known as the Cameroonian Civil War, began in 2017 and has created safety concerns throughout the country. The donors who provided funds for the wall, for the children’s school fees, and for food and clean water are ensuring that the over 100 children currently at the Home are given a safe environment and a chance at a bright future.

​The Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, founded by Dr. Akwa Gilberto who grew up at the Home, is continuing to provide medical care for the poorest of the poor in Cameroon in hopes of fulfilling its mission to build “a world where the rights and dignity of underprivileged children are met.”

Security wall construction at the Good Shepherd Home

Dr. Akwa Gilberto (R) going over the inventory of donated clinic supplies with Mother Jane Legacy Foundation nurse, Nancy.

The ACT Foundation, founded by Aben Cistus, who also grew up at the Home, is providing technical education at orphanages throughout Cameroon. Cistus and his team teach computers, sewing machines, and other skills to orphaned children in hopes of empowering a new generation.
 
If you are interested in helping the ACT Foundation, Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, or
sponsoring the Good Shepherd Home for as little as $40 a month please email [email protected].
 
To learn more about the Home, go to www.goodshepherdhome.org
​

THE GARDEN OF HOPE

Would you like to help with the global mission of addressing food insecurity? Our Garden of Hope currently provides between 800 and 1,000 pounds of fresh produce per year to local food pantries and senior housing.
 
The Garden is currently seeking volunteers to assist in its expansion and design and to provide support during the growing season. Volunteer participation can be a one-time event or an ongoing activity. 
 
This is the perfect opportunity for individuals, families, confirmation classes, or youth groups to participate in a service project.  Churches can also adopt a plot to prep, maintain, and/or harvest during the season. 

If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Sr Linda Clare at [email protected] or CSJB Associate Julie Crawford at [email protected].
 
The Garden of Hope is a Good News Garden:
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/good-news-gardens/
Please go to
www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/creation-care to learn more about the Episcopal Church’s Creation Care mission.

YOUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONATIONS AT WORK

Thanks to our generous donors, we raised enough funds in honor of our 150th Anniversary to begin some of the work on the roof at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House.
 
We started the year with $70,000 in our roof replacement fund, then raised another $40,000 this year towards the $500,000 needed. That gave us enough to have the Retreat House chimneys repointed and repaired as part of the preparation for a new roof. Mel Lita from Progressive Renovations (the chimney repair company) says we decided to start the work in the nick of time. The bricks in the historically landmarked, 116-year-old chimneys have never been repointed and apparently they were hanging on by a wing and a prayer.
 
We are grateful to our friends, Oblates, and Associates for contributing towards the preservation of our sacred space. We hope to raise the remaining $460,000 for the complete roof replacement in the next few years. If you'd like to contribute towards the CSJB Capital Campaign, please go to www.csjb.org/our-capital-campaign or email [email protected].

Progressive Renovation worker at the retreat house, repairing and repointing one of the four intricate brick chimneys.

The roof and chimneys at St. Marguerite's are 116 years old.

ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

Did you know that CSJB has 14 Oblates and over 400 Associates? Our Oblate/Associate programs are open to all Christians, and they provide a great way to get closer to God and participate in the prayer life of the Community.
 
So, what do Oblates and Associates do?

• They pray regularly for the Community.
• They organize our monthly First Friday Zoom prayers.
• They attend retreats, meetings, and celebrations throughout the year.
• They promote the religious life wherever possible.
• They organize the Thursday Centering Prayer zooms.
• They volunteer to help out at the Convent.
• They attend our worship and occasionally join us at meals.
• They volunteer in our Garden of Hope.
• And - Associate/Oblate members of the clergy celebrate mass at the Convent.

These are only some of the things our large family of Associates and Oblates do. There are many other creative ways to grow closer to God and participate in our community of prayer.
 
If you are interested in becoming an Associate or Oblate, please contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].
 
Learn more about our Associate/Oblate programs on our website at https://www.csjb.org/associatesoblates.html
 

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

The Sisters of CSJB founded the St. John Baptist School at 331 E. 17th St. in New York City in 1880. It was later moved to New Jersey in 1915 when the Mother House was relocated to Mendham, and for over 100 years it provided education and spiritual formation to generations of girls. 

Even though the school closed in 1983, the community of SJBS alumnae remains close-knit and supportive. Two of them even became Episcopal priests.
 
The Sisters give thanks for all the wise and wonderful “schoolgirls” who are still part of our CSJB family. If you are an alumna and would like to connect to your fellow alums, you may join the St. John Baptist School Facebook group here: www.facebook.com/groups/334420496671

REACHING OUT TO GOD'S PEOPLE

Our annual year-end appeal letter, "Reaching Out to God's People," has now gone out through the mail to our friends. This yearly campaign benefits our General Fund at a time of year when our cash flow runs low, and those of you who donate have no idea how much you help us, even with the smallest contributions, to pay our monthly bills and keep our Community going. Many thanks to all our faithful friends who believe in the mission of CSJB.

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the Reaching Out letter.
​

​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.

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.

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR

• The Presidential election on November 5
  
• 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

Fall colors on the Convent driveway
​

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
​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
​​

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

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

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO

Sister Laura Katharine and Jennie in the Convent library

• 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
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
Helen Wall
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

Sister Monica with Clara Elizabeth, the Convent cat

​​YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

Fall colors beside the Main Chapel

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.