Updates from the Sisters - August 2021

Heart-shaped leaf in the Convent garden

What does love look like?
It has hands to help others.
It has feet to hasten to
the poor and needy.
It has eyes to see misery and want.
It has ears to hear the sighs
and sorrows of all people.
That is what love looks like.
​
-St. Augustine.

FOCUSING ON THE COMMON GOOD
On August 28, we celebrate the Feast of St. Augustine. The Community of St. John Baptist is an Augustinian community, living by a Rule that was first established by St. Augustine in the year 397. There’s a beautiful description of the Rule of St. Augustine on Villanova University’s website that you can CLICK HERE to read. 

Sister Eleanor Francis (L) and Sister Suzanne Elizabeth (center) working together on  a handmade cincture as Sister Victoria Michelle looks on.

One of the primary aims of our life together as Augustinians is to be “of one mind and heart on the way to God." ​which is taken from the book of Acts 4:32. ​ To us, this means that instead of being a hierarchical, top-down structure of Community, we Sisters live a life that would be described in the modern business world as a "team-building" community. We strive to focus on the common good, to work together to navigate the uncertainties of life, and to remember always to love one another. These aims have sustained us especially in these trying times, when unity and empathy are so necessary to heal the division and pain in the world around us.
​

THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY

(L to R) The Rev. Margaret Otterburn, Sister Linda Clare, Sister Victoria Michelle, and Serita, a  CFNJ staff member.

Our focus on the common good extends to any area where we can help outside the Convent, too. On August 13, Sister Victoria Michelle and Sister Linda Clare went with the Rev. Margaret Otterburn, and a group of volunteers from the Church of the Messiah to help out at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

The issue of food insecurity in the world can feel overwhelming, so we are extremely grateful to the Rev. Otterburn and the Church of the Messiah for providing volunteer opportunities like this for our Sisters. 
​

OUR AUGUST SEARCH PROGRAM

​This year we were blessed to have five women attending our August 16-21 Search Program. They participated by Zoom from Arkansas, Alabama, New York, Texas, and Oregon. It was an absolute pleasure to meet all these deeply spiritual women and to hear about their discernment journeys. Our next Zoom Search Program will take place during President's Day weekend in 2022.

If you'd like to learn more about the Search Program, you may email Novice Director Sister Pamela at [email protected]

CSJB Sisters meeting our Searchers on Zoom

PONY'S BOOK IS COMING SOON!

Sister Margo Elizabeth's book "...not just an ordinary pony," about Pony's 27 year ministry of presence at CSJB is now finished, and we will send an announcement to our Constant Contact emailing list when we receive the official link where people can order it. 
 
As part of a fundraiser for our community, we hope you will order the book directly from the publisher. The total price including shipping and handling is more than we anticipated, but we get half of the total sales.

Please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] if you'd like to sign up for our Constant Contact emailing list.

THE GARDEN OF HOPE

On July 28, Emily Borinshteyn from the Sharing Project did a presentation for our Garden of Hope volunteers, outlining the mission and goals of the organization founded by her brother Matthew. These dedicated teenagers have expanded their reach to many community gardens in this region, and have gathered a growing team of volunteers of all ages, all faiths, and all walks of life. ​The Sharing Project goals are outlined on their website HERE.

Emily Borinshteyn (center) giving a Sharing Project presentation at CSJB July 28

CSJB Associate Julie Crawford reads an opening prayer before the Sharing Project presentation July 28.

Through the efforts of Matthew, Emily, CSJB Associate Julie Crawford, Sister Linda Clare, Sister Victoria Michelle, and volunteers from several churches, our Garden of Hope is regularly producing fresh vegetables for local food pantries.

​If you’d like to learn more about the Garden of Hope, please contact Sister Linda Clare at [email protected] or call 973-543-4641. 

GIVING MARY A HELPING HAND

Two of our hardworking young Garden of Hope volunteers, Nicholas and Gracielynn Leo, decided with their mom that they wanted to clean and freshen up our small shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary. They even placed small electric votives at Mary's feet so that they illuminate the shrine at night.

​The shrine sits next to our labyrinth and it had become overrun with branches, cobwebs, and leaves after the recent storms. We are so grateful to these adorable kids for helping us out! Doesn’t the shrine look great?

Thank you so much to the Leo family for your hard work at the shrine, and in the Garden of Hope -  in the heat of summer, no less!

Gracilynn and Nicholas Leo helping out at the Mary shrine.
​

FROM SISTER ELEANOR FRANCIS

Sister Eleanor Francis' mother, Martha Johanson,, at age 8 in Hungary. Martha and her mother later survived Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen concentration camps, were liberated by British troops, and eventually emigrated to the United States.

​In the fall of 2019, I took a workshop at Drew University. The workshop was for second generation Holocaust survivors and 11 of us participated. We were coached on how to speak about and how to write about our lives as second generation Holocaust survivors (or “2G’s”). From there, I have had quite a few opportunities to speak to groups about my experience.
​Beginning this past spring, we have had a new opportunity: We decided to compile a book including essays from all of us who would like to participate. We hope to have the writing finished by the end of the summer and hand our work over to the publisher in the fall. The publisher is the Drew Holocaust Center. We are fortunate to have three fine editors to work with us. This is my first experience working with such rigorous editing!  Having heard all the stories, I feel confident that the book will be an interesting read and will also contain meaningful photographs.
​--Sr. Eleanor Francis, CSJB  ​

When the book is ready, we will certainly make sure our friends know about it.  If you want to make sure you are notified, please let me know by emailing [email protected] or calling 973-543-4641.   

​

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON,
​WEST AFRICA

Children at the Good Shepherd Home are eagerly looking forward to starting school in September. Donations in any amount to help with the cost of school uniforms, books, shoes, supplies, and fees would be very much appreciated by these hopeful young students.  All the children and staff are grateful that schools are still open in spite of the ongoing Cameroonian Civil War.

The pig farm at the Good Shepherd Home

Children of the Good Shepherd Home attending class.

​The Home maintains a pig farm, bakery, fishery, and other enterprises both to sustain the children and to earn funds from the surrounding community to support the Home. Unfortunately, the pig farm was hit with swine flu in the past few months, so most of the pigs became ill and died. Staff and Sisters at the Home are hoping to restock the pigs, to get needed repairs for bakery equipment, and to restart the chicken farm soon.

​If you would like to help support the children of the Good Shepherd Home, please email [email protected] or go to www.goodshepherdhome.org
CSJB provides administrative services for the Home for free, so 100% of donations go to the Home.

​

THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER AT CSJB

On August 15 we once again welcomed the congregation of the Church of the Redeemer for worship at our outdoor altar.

​What a joy it was to hear excellent music, to see worshipers (some with their dogs!), and to see the Eucharist being shared in our “green cathedral.” The Rev. Cynthia Black, DD, rector of the Church of the Redeemer, is a great friend to CSJB and has provided us with hundreds of her beautiful photos of our buildings and grounds.

Church of the Redeemer worshipers listening to the Rev. Cynthia Black's sermon at our outdoor altar on Aug. 15
​

ST. MARGUERITE'S RETREAT HOUSE

​Plans for the reopening of St. Marguerite’s Retreat House on October 1, 2021 are continuing with a cautious eye towards the rising COVID numbers in the nation.

​Repairs and renovation are on track for the opening, and we will welcome fully vaccinated guests and staff soon.  Safety measures will be in place by the time of our reopening in order to protect guests, staff, and Sisters. 

If you're interested in booking a retreat at St. Marguerite's, please contact our Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos at [email protected]

​If you'd like to help with the reopening of St. Marguerite's, we are currently seeking volunteers for the projects listed below.  Please contact the Superior at [email protected] if you'd like to pitch in:
​

1. Refinishing furniture
2. Cleaning rugs
3. Cleaning upholstered furniture
   

Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos took this great photo of a praying mantis at St. Marguerite's
​

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL

CSJB Alumna Caryl Louise Goldman (nee Smith) died in Wethersfield, Connecticut on August 22, 2021 at the age of 75. Caryl graduated from St. John Baptist School in 1963, and she was the younger sister of Sandra Smith, who also attended SJBS. Please join us in praying for Caryl's family during this difficult time.

​Caryl's obituary can be read by CLICKING HERE.
​
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Caryl's memory to the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489.

CSJB OBLATES AND ASSOCIATES

The wonderful Oblates and Associates who make up the CSJB Online Prayer Team will be continuing our Zoom prayer gatherings on the second Friday of each month. All are welcome at these online prayers, which have been a tremendous source of support and comfort during the pandemic. We are glad to continue providing it in the months ahead.

The next gathering will be September 10, 2021.

Please email Oblate Pat McKenzie for the Zoom info. at:
[email protected]

Flowers from CSJB Associate Julie Crawford's garden on a windowsill at the Convent.

SERMONS FROM THE SISTERS OF CSJB

Photo of a butterfly in the Garden of Hope, by Sister Linda Clare

Our Sisters take turns preaching at the Eucharist in our chapel. Here are some recent sermons by Sister Linda Clare and Sister Victoria Michelle:

CLICK HERE to read Sister Victoria Michelle's sermon from the Feast of Mary and Martha.

CLICK HERE to read a Sunday sermon from Sister Linda Clare

LOOKING AHEAD

​​CENTERING PRAYER
Every Thursday from 7:15 to 8:15
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 at [email protected] if you are interested in joining.

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

​

JOIN US FOR PRAYER ON ZOOM
Friday September 10
​10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern time.
​ALL ARE WELCOME

Join us on the 2nd Friday of each month for informal intercessory prayers to give us strength and hope during these trying times.  We begin with a check-in time of 10:15am Eastern and praying starts at 10:30am. A special thanks to Interweave for the use of their online platform.

Please email Oblate Pat McKenzie for the Zoom info. at:
[email protected]

​

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
September 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Sponsored by Interweave 

Join us for Dances of Universal Peace! 
Safely outside on the beautiful grounds of the Community of St John the Baptist!

Rejuvenate your spirit and open your heart with sacred circle dancing and joyous group singing honoring the world's mystical traditions. No musical or dance experience of any kind required. Enjoy the peace and renewal of the Dances safely on the beautiful grounds of the convent. André Bernard is a certified leader of Dances of Universal Peace.

This event is a fair weather only event.     

To learn more about the Dances of Universal Peace, go to:
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/DancesofUniversalPeaceSept​
https://www.interweave.org/contact/​
​or www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org
​

FALL INTERFAITH SERIES
Facilitated by Rabbi Deb Smith, Sr. Eleanor Francis, and Dr. Shabiha Sheikh

Wednesday, October 13:  “Humility.”
Wednesday, October 27: “Forgiveness”
Wednesday, November 10: “Overcoming Evil.”

All programs run from 7:30- to 9:00 p.m.
Suggested minimum donation for each:  $18.
To register, please use this link:  https://www.aleph.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=400

If you have difficulty registering, please contact Sr. Eleanor Francis at [email protected] or 973-543-4641 ex. 3. I will see that you get registered. 
​
​​

ANGLICAN PRAYER BEAD WORKSHOP
CSJB Retreat on Zoom – Saturday October 23, 2021
10am-12noon
 
As the search to know about prayer continues, we find ways to meet the Divine and express our gratitude. Join us in making Anglican Prayer Beads to be used in your quiet time with God.
 
Retreat led by Sr. Victoria Michelle
Please send your full mailing address with a $25.00 fee to CSJB – P.O.Box 240 Mendham, NJ 07945. Payment may be made by check or PayPal.
All participants are asked to please bring a pair of pointed edged scissors and a sectioned plate to empty prayer beads out on.
 
To register, contact Jan Paxton at [email protected]
Please place the words “Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop” in the email subject line. Please note: The cutoff date for ordering beads is October 15
​

CELTIC JOURNEYS
Due to the Corona Virus pandemic, many of our 2021 Celtic Journeys were canceled, but Please see our trips for 2022!

CLICK HERE to go to the Celtic Journeys website.
​
For more information, contact Sister Margo Elizabeth:
Phone: 973 543 4641 ext 4                      
Email: [email protected]

​
​

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR

All who are suffering from COVID, for all who have died from COVID, and for all who have lost loved ones to COVID,
 
For the civilians and military personnel in Afghanistan and all regions affected by war.

​All those affected by mass shootings,
 
Peace in the Middle East,
 
For all healthcare workers and other essential workers,
 
For our Searchers who are discerning a call to the Religious life,

Amber
Andy
Annette
Anthony
Barbara
Bill and Carol
Brandon
Carolyn and Bruce
Chase
​Cheryl
Chris
The Clewer Initiative
Sam and her children
Claire
​Dana
Daniel,
Dean
Diane
Doug
​Ellen
Erin
Geri and family
Greg and Pat,
Heather
Honor
Hugh
India
Ingrid
Jack Grier’s family
James

Janet
​Jarad and Monica
Jason
Jay
Jean
Jeanette
​Jeff and his children
Jennifer
Jess
Jessica and Brendan
Jim
Joanna
Joseph
John
John and Family
Jon
Joyce
Judith
Juli and Gil
Julian
Kamala
Kathleen
Kia
Lana
Larry and his daughter
Lee
Linda and Paul
Linda Lee
​Margaret
Maureen

Margaret and family
​Maria
​Matthew
Maxton
Maureen and Donald
McGrath family
Michael
Michelle,
Myles
Myram,
Nicole
Norman
Patrick
Patty
Phoebe
Rebecca and her family
Shane
Sheila
The Singh family
Sister Barbara Jean
​Stephanie
Sully
Suzanne
The family of Mary Flood
Tiffany
Tommy
Virginia
Warren
William Benefield, Sr.

We pray especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed.
 
We would be honored to pray for you. Please email [email protected] with any prayer requests. If you have requested prayers and don't see the requested name on our list, we offer our apologies. Please email the Superior and we will add the name here. 
​​

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO

Clara the Convent cat with Sister Deborah Francis in the Church Workroom

​All our generous donors who make our ministries possible
​
All who have responded so generously to our appeal for the Good Shepherd Home.
 
Our many helpers, volunteers, and those who encourage us
 
All our CSJB Oblates, Associates, Alumnae, and friends, and:

Magdalena Aders
Peter J. Arney and George W. Jordan III
Donna Aubel
Barbara Barbeau
Joe Boney
Christine Brodeur
Chris Chrystal and Myram Borders
Julie Crawford
Rosemary DaCuna
Hans Dekker and the Hyde and Watson Foundation
Rosina B. Dixon
Margaret Dohnalek
Mary Donovan
Gerrie Dressler
Lorraine Emanuel
Kay & Frank Failla
Joanne Foster
Susan Fuller and family
Mayor Christine Glassner
Bill and Gay Grier
The Rev. Deacon Cathy Brunson

Elizabeth S. Halpin
Jane Hayden
Father Joe Hennen
Margaret Johnson
Bradley Kalos
Judi Kerr
The Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby and family
Linda Lee Mundy
Janet Maulbeck and Interweave
Patrice and Doug McKenzie
Jane and Peter Mercer
Connie Moore
Mayor Sarah Neibart
Bart Oates
Jan Paxton
Judy Picciano
Susan and Joseph Pigott
Jack and Penny Rohrbach
Ed Roworth
Juli Towell
Alix Weisz
Joannah Wilmerding

The DCLM Fund
The S.A.D. Foundation
The Community of the Transfiguration
The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes
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

​We Sisters of CSJB look forward to the day when we can reopen our ministry of hospitality and welcome hundreds of people per year to our Retreat House and the Convent as we have always done in the past. Until then, like many nonprofits, we are having a very difficult time covering our monthly operating costs after 17 months with no income.
 
If you'd like to help us continue our ministries, please consider making a gift to our general fund through our new online Paypal portal:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CommunityofStJohnBap

Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus on a windowsill at CSJB

WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCLUDE CSJB IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING?

Jennie on the front lawn of the Convent.

​If you’d like information on how to arrange a legacy gift, please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] or call 973-543-4641 ext. 2.
 
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.

Your planned giving would help to ensure that the dreams of our Mother Foundress, to continually address "the needs of the day," will live on into the future. We welcome gifts for specific purposes and ministries, for our Capital Campaign to restore and repair our sacred space, or for the general operating fund of the Convent and Retreat House where we welcome an average of 2,000 visitors per year.