Updates from the Sisters CHRISTMAS 2024

A thrill of hope,
the weary world
rejoices.
For yonder breaks
a new and
glorious morn.

--Placide Cappeau
(Transl. by John Sullivan Dwight)
"O Holy Night"

Christmas tree in the Convent library

PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW CSJB POSTULANTS

(L to R) Niambi Mercado, Sister Pamela, Sister Victoria, and Diana Baudelaire at the Festival of Trees in Chester, NJ

In November, we welcomed two new postulants to our Community. Both have been in discernment with CJSB for several years, and our Novice Director Sister Pamela met regularly with them on Zoom – even throughout the depths of the pandemic – to help them discern God’s call. As postulants, they are taking classes with various Sisters to learn about our Rule and Customary and to deepen their prayer lives. Diana now works in the Convent chapel and Niambi works in the pantry. We are so grateful that these prayerful young women are trying their vocations with us. Please keep them in your prayers as they discern their next steps.

You can learn more about Diana and Niambi by clicking the links below:
CLICK HERE for Diana's biography
CLICK HERE for Niambi’s story of call.

We were thrilled to see Kirk Peterson’s article on CSJB in the Episcopal News Service on December 2. Many thanks to Kirk and the ENS for such a great article!

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE CSJB EPIPHANY PARTY!

Hymn sing at the Epiphany party

4:00 PM Reception of Associates, Vespers, and Hymn Sing with food and socializing afterward.

Our annual Epiphany Party is one of the times of the year when we say "thanks" to all the CSJB Oblates, Associates, and friends who support us with their donations, volunteer time, and prayers. We will also welcome, once again, some of our dearest friends the Sisters of Christian Charity at Mallinckrodt Convent on the “other hill” in Mendham.
 
Good food, good people, good hymn singing, good time!

Please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] to RSVP for the party.
​

CHRISTMAS AT THE CONVENT

Please enjoy the slideshow below, of Christmas moments around the Convent.

A SECOND TERM FOR OUR SISTER SUPERIOR

On December 4, the Sisters of CSJB elected Sister Monica Clare to a second five-year term as Sister Superior.

​Our Bishop Visitor, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, presided over the election and the installation of the Sister Superior and CSJB officers on December on December 17. Sister Suzanne Elizabeth was appointed Assistant Superior and Sister Pamela was appointed Novice Director and Sister Bursar. 

Bishop Glasspool with the CSJB Community at the installation

Bishop Glasspool’s excellent sermons from her December 2024 visitation can be read at these links:
 
SERMON FOR THE INSTALLATION DECEMBER 17
SERMON FOR DECEMBER 18

RELIGIOUS LIFE SUNDAY JANUARY 26, 2025

The General Convention of The Episcopal Church approved resolution 2022-B004, “Foundation of Religious Life Sunday,” to be held each year on the 3rd Sunday of Epiphany. This observance focuses our efforts to tell all Episcopalians and Anglicans about our monastic and Christian Communities and what we offer the church.
 
We hope that you will help us observe Religious Life Sunday by going to www.religiouslifesunday.net and learning about the many resources you can share with your parish. 

Teri Smith-Jones at All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, MD has asked that any CSJB Oblates and Associates who live in their parish’s area can attend mass on January 25, 2025 to represent the Community of St. John Baptist and attend coffee hour to raise awareness of our ministries. Please email Teri at [email protected] if you can attend. The address of the church is 106 West Church Street, Frederick, MD, 21701.
 
If you would like additional information, this year’s press release for Religious Life Sunday can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
 
For more information on religious life in the Episcopal Church, go to www.caroa.net. 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME FOR CHILDREN

The children at the Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon, West Africa, are getting ready for Christmas. We would like to give a special thanks to donors Margaret Dohnalek and the Rorhbach Family Foundation for making significant contributions to help make the children’s Christmas happy. Each year the generosity of our donors provides new clothing, school supplies, and a Christmas feast for the 100+ children, staff, and Sisters at the Home. Throughout the year, your donations help CSJB send up to $4,000 a month to the Home to help with expenses. 

We are currently looking for new donors, as our monthly fund often runs low. If you’d like to help give these children food, clothing, school fees, medical care, and other vital services, please email our Business Manager Darren Somerville at [email protected]  A sponsorship of the Home costs as little as $50 per month. We also accept stand-alone donations in any amount.

THE ACT FOUNDATION

Aben Cistus, who grew up at the Good Shepherd Home, gives this update on his ACT Foundation’s mission to teach technology to the poorest of the poor in Cameroon:
 
“A huge thank you to our amazing team of volunteers who made Day 3 of our ICT training program at the Good Shepherd Home a resounding success! Under the leadership of our founder, Aben Cistus Tita, Victory, Richard Joy, Joyceline(the Mastercard foundation scholar), Brenda, Miracle, and Richard worked together to empower the kids with digital skills. We're grateful for the opportunity to make a difference!”

An ACT volunteer teaching children computer skills at the Good Shepherd Home.
Many thanks to Susan Pigott for her extremely generous donation to ACT,  

THE MOTHER JANE LEGACY FOUNDATION

Chu Tiran at his graduation from the the military academy in Maroua

To learn more about the Home, go to:
www.goodshepherdhome.org

If you'd like to donate to the Good Shepherd Home, ACT, or the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, please email [email protected].

Akwa Gilberto was the first child received at the Good Shepherd Home. He is now a doctor who brings medical care to the poor through his Mother Jane Legacy Foundation. He recently sent us this report:
 
“Dear Mother Superior,
 Accept greetings from Cameroon, West Africa. It's always amazing whenever I get to share what God has been doing through our ministry of helping the poor and the needy, working in the footsteps of Rev, Mother Jane has been very challenging at the same time so fulfilling. I Love this ministry Mother Superior.  I know from creation this was my assignment.
 
Yesterday, our Boy Chu Tiran graduated from the military academy in the North of Cameroon, Maroua. You remember when I kept writing to your office for assistance over and over again, pleading for fundings to pay the state council and our lawyers, and it paid off. He has been very happy and grateful that Mother Jane Legacy foundation got him out of prison then sponsored him to fulfil his dream. We made it Rev. Mother Superior.
 
By the Grace of God, we are looking forward to helping many vulnerable and needy children next year and helping people regain their health. It has been challenging, but we at MJLF know we are not alone thanks to you, CSJB and our American friends. My book Walking in the Footsteps of Mother Jane is gradually taking shape, can't wait to read it myself."

CSJB HONORED BY THE UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS

(L to R) Desli Norcross, Jane Jubilee, Sr. Monica Clare, Sr. Pamela, the Rev. Deacon Ken Boccino, the Rev. Danielle Baker, Sr. Linda Clare

The Union of Black Episcopalians honored the Sisters of CSJB at the 14th Annual Clara Horsley Leadership Awards Breakfast on November 16, 2024.
 
Our fellow Clara Horsley Award recipients included Desli Norcross, CSJB Associate the Rev. Deacon Ken Boccino, and Jane Jubilee. The event was held at Bella Italia in Orange, NJ, and the keynote speaker was past honoree Christopher Glenn, Esq.

We are deeply grateful to UBE President Marguerite Smith (Posthumous), UBE Vice President (and CSJB Associate) the Rev. Danielle Baker, UBE Treasurer Robert Simmons, UBE past President A. Lorraine Jones, and all the UBE Newark members for honoring us with this Award.
 
To learn more about the important work of the Union of Black Episcopalians, go to www.ube.org. 

CONCERT AT THE CONVENT

The Adelphi Chamber Ensemble presented a Concert at the Convent in the excellent acoustics or our convent Main Chapel on November 24. The concert included 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. All proceeds from the Concert at the Convent series go towards our Capital Campaign to preserve our historic buildings. Many thanks to these accomplished musicians and to all who attended.

Click on the image above to watch a video of Adelphi Chamber Ensemble performing Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 13,
​

THE CSJB KNITTING MINISTRY

During our meetings and evening recreation, most of the Sisters of CSJB are always knitting. We do not knit for our own amusement, but rather to provide hats, scarves, socks, and lap blankets for our sisters and brothers in need. Our knitted goods go to the Hope One van which provides services to unhoused people suffering from addiction. It’s cold and wet out there, folks, and knitted goods provide much-needed warmth and comfort. 

Hope One van volunteers picking up bags of our knitted goods to distribute to the needy.

If you’d like to help with our Knitting Ministry, please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected]. We can even provide yarn!

CSJB ON THE MENDHAM TOWNSHIP HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE WEBSITE

The CSJB Convent in 1915

Our wonderful friend Helen Wall, who is the Chair of the Mendham Township Historic Preservation Committee (MTHPC), did a tremendous amount of work as a co-sponsor to make our Monastery in Mendham event a success on September 28.
 
Afterwards, she very graciously included our convent tour booklet information on the MTHPC website. If you’d like to view it, CLICK HERE.

 The MTHPC website is www.historicmendhamtwp.com
 
Thank you, Helen!

CSJB ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

We are happy to announce that we will receive two new CSJB Associates on January 5, 2025.

​The Rev. George Dredden III and the Rev. Paul Keene will be received before Vespers on the evening of our annual Epiphany party. We are so glad to welcome these devoted servants of God into our community of over 400 Associates. Please pray for them as they take this next step in their faith journey. 

Our Associates and Oblates form a supportive prayer community that supports our mission and ministry. We welcome Christians from all denominations to explore the path to becoming an Associate, then later deepen their commitment to become an Oblate. 

If you'd like more information on our Associate and Oblate programs, please contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].

The Rev. George Dredden III

The Rev. Paul Keene

​ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

We recently received the sad news from the Society of St. Margaret in Duxbury, MA that their Sister Marjorie Raphael had died at the age of 101.

​Before she joined the convent, Sister Marjorie Raphael graduated from St. John Baptist School in 1941. Her name then was Marjorie Mac-Monnies Wysong and she was very active in sports and clubs at SJBS. She was also a classmate of our longtime CSJB Associate Kit Rockwell, who died in 2023 at the age of 99.

Sister Marjorie Raphael in the 1941 St. John Baptist School yearbook

Sister Marjorie Raphael at the Society of St. Margaret in Duxbury, Mass.

 The Society of St. Margaret says of Sister Marjorie Raphael:
“Although she was 101, she was active to the end and her death was a surprise to us all.

Sr. Marjorie Raphael was a very talented artist, and her paintings adorn many of the rooms in our buildings. These paintings will be a lasting remembrance of her presence among us.

She was devoted to the people of Haiti, serving there for many years. Sr. Marjorie Raphael founded the Foyer Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince, and that work continues in her name to this day.”

​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

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

Sr. Victoria Michelle and postulants Diana Baudelaire and Niambi Mercado with Sister Barbara Jean at Holly Manor

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

Clara Elizabeth helping CSJB Associate Marianna Klaiman and Sister Deborah Francis in the Church Workroom. Marianna catalogues and preserves the antique ecclesiastical embroidery at the Convent.

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

Magdalena Aders
​Carol Albert
Peter J. Arney and George W. Jordan III
​Kathleen Shea Aregood
Donna Aubel
Barbara Barbeau
Nancy Munch-Bilheimer
MaryJane Boland
Joe Boney
The Rev. Valerie Bonham
Carmen Bowser
Christine Brodeur
The Rev. Deacon Cathy Brunson
​The Rev. Deacon Johnine Byrer
Chris Chrystal and Myram Borders
Christ Church, Short Hills
Julie Crawford
Rosemary DaCuna
Hans Dekker and the Hyde and Watson Foundation
Rosina B. Dixon
Margaret Dohnalek
Mary and the Rt. Rev. HerberDonovan
Gerrie Dressler
Lorraine Emanuel
Kay & Frank Failla
Joanne Foster
​John Forney and family
Susan Fuller and family
Mayor Christine Glassner
Bill and Gay Grier
In memorium, Elizabeth S. Halpin
Harris 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 Rorbach Family Foundation
​The Ross Foundation
The S.A.D. Foundation
The Community of the Transfiguration
The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes
​The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin
The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool
The Rev. Kevin Coffey
The Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD, and the people of the Church of the Redeemer
The Rev. John A. Rollins
The Rev. Lorna Erixson and the people of St. Mark's Mendham
The Rev. Elizabeth Ivell and the people of the Church of the Messiah
The Rev. Victoria McGrath and the people of All Saints Millington
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

​

Statue of the Mary on the pantry windowsill.

YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

L to R: the Rev. Danielle Baker, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, Sisters and postulants at the installation of the Superior on December 17.

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.