Updates from the Sisters eastertide April 2025

​"Where
flowers bloom,
so does
hope."
​
– Lady Bird Johnson

Easter flowers in the CSJB chapel

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER AT CSJB

​All of us Sisters would like to wish our Associates, Oblates, and friends a very happy Easter and a joyous Eastertide. We thank you all for supporting our ministries.
 
We are grateful for all the visitors who joined us for Holy Week, and we give special thanks to all the hardworking clergy who took time out of their busy week to celebrate mass for us. Celebrants included the Rev. Phil Carr Jones, The Rev. Canon Andrew Wright, The Rev. Dave Jones, and the Rev. Lorna Erixson.

The paschal garden in the Convent chapel

Please click on the image and use the arrows to enjoy this slideshow of our photos from Holy Week at CSJB:

NOVICE CLOTHING APRIL 29

We are delighted to announce that our postulant, Niambi Mercado, will be clothed as a Novice on April 29.

​In keeping with CSJB tradition, the ceremony will be a small, private gathering in which Niambi will receive her Novice cross, veil, and her religious name. ​We ask your prayers for Niambi as she takes this important step to deepen her connection to God. 

PHOTO: Sister Deborah Francis (L) with Niambi in the sitting room.

A LENTEN RETREAT

Sister Monica led a Lenten retreat day at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lebanon, NJ on April 5. The central theme of the retreat was the Gospel account of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Participants used several different prayer practices to deepen their understanding of the scripture. Many thanks to Wendy Hallstrom, to the Rev. Kristen Foley, and all the wonderful people who made the day so special. 

​MOVIE SHOOT AT THE CONVENT

Movie crew vehicles outside the Convent

Movie equipment at the Convent carport

Jennie with movie crew members in the front hall. She made friends with everyone!

For several weeks in March, the convent served as a location for an upcoming film directed by Steven Spielberg. The crew spent several days setting up, then the actors and Mr. Spielberg shot several scenes inside and outside the Convent, and outdoors on the school property. We were all amazed at the amount of equipment and people on our campus during the shoot. The crew consisted of over 200 people, and everyone was so kind and respectful of our way of life.

​The film stars Colin Firth, Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Eve Hewson and should be released in summer 2026. 

Sister Pamela and Jennie with film equipment outside St. Marguerite's

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

The Sisters, children and staff at the Good Shepherd Home want to thank all the generous donors who support them. Your donations enable CSJB to provide $4,000 a month for food, clothing, school costs, medical care, and housing for the 100+ children who live at the Home.  

​Because of your generosity, the children celebrated a blessed Holy Week and Easter this year. 

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

A little girl praying on Maundy Thursday at the Good Shepherd Home

You may click the slideshow to see photos of the Good Shepherd Home from Easter 2025:

Video: Easter feast at the Good Shepherd Home

Video: Walking the Stations of the Cross at the Good Shepherd Home on Good Friday

​THE GARDEN OF HOPE SEASON OPENING MAY 10

Would you like to join us in the opening of the Garden of Hope for the growing season? Our Garden of Hope provides up to 1000 pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries and senior housing every year, and we are always happy to welcome new volunteers of any age, faith tradition, or walk of life.

Garden of Hope Season Opening
Saturday May 10,
​9 am -4:30 pm (rain date May 17th) 
 
You may volunteer for this event only or sign up for ongoing service throughout the season. You can even sponsor one of the sixteen beds. 

​CLICK HERE to register for the event.

What do I bring?
Water, Gloves, Garden Tools, General Tool Kit to Assemble New Trugs and Benches 
(some tools on site)
Snacks and BBQ lunch will be offered

The Sisters do require a volunteer waiver, which you may download from the links below:
CSJB Garden Adult Waiver
CSJB Garden Child Waiver

THE CSJB ECCLESIASTICAL EMBROIDERY COLLECTION
​Sacristy Secrets: Behind-The-Scenes Tour of Ecclesiastical Textile Treasures
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:30am - 2pm Eastern Time

Some of CSJB's embroidery treasures in the Church Workroom at the Convent.

CSJB Associate Marianna Klaiman will be hosting a tour of the ecclesiastical embroidery treasures at the Convent for the Costume Society of America on April 26. Marianna will show historic vestments made by CSJB Sisters from the late 19th century through the modern age, as well as historic textile items donated to the Convent over the years. She has spent many years cataloging, restoring, and preserving our collection, and we give thanks to her for honoring the hard work and creativity of our Sisters past.

CLICK HERE FOR MARIANNA'S WEBSITE, Sacristies of New York

MENDHAM FAITH LEADERS

The Rev. Lorna Erixson preaching at Grace Lutheran Church on March 26

Sisters enjoying the Lenten lunch at Grace Luthean

The Rev. Lorna Erixson, rector of St. Mark’s Church in Mendham, spoke about our Mother Foundress Harriet Monsell at the annual Lenten Lunch on March 26.
 
The Lenten Lunches are held every year on Wednesdays during Lent and are led by clergy from different local denominations, and Lorna’s Wednesday just happened to be the day the Anglican Communion remembers Mother Harriet. We all enjoyed the noonday prayer service and the Lenten soup lunch afterwards, and Jennie made lots of new friends.  
​

Our annual Lenten Lunches are held at Grace Lutheran Church. The Mendham Faith Leaders group includes the Community of St. John Baptist, Brookside Community Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Hilltop Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Mendham United Methodist Church, and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

We Sisters all showed up en masse for Lorna’s homily – including Jennie!

JENNIE’S KNEE SURGERY

Our beloved Convent dog, Jennie, had surgery for a torn ACL in late March.

​Her recovery has been long, and it’s been difficult to keep her from racing up and down the stairs, but she has done very well due to her overall good health. Jennie will be 14 years old in July, and she coincidentally shares a birthday with Sister Victoria! We thank all of Jennie’s friends and fans for your pre-surgery and post-surgery prayers for her. Prayers always make a difference.

Clara Elizabeth has been helping watch over Jennie during her recovery.

Jennie with her ice pack after the surgery. 

​

Sr. Mary Lynne (L) and Sr. Pamela drying Jennie with a hair dryer after her pre-Easter bath.
​(Photo by Sr. Margo Elizabeth)

ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE

The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of Newark (R), with retreatants at St. Marguerite's

The CSJB Retreat House has been busier than ever this spring. We welcomed the Diocese of Newark Lay Retreat with Bishop Hughes from Feb. 28 to March 2, and the theme was “Being Bold About Our Faith.” Other retreat groups included Christ Church in the City, St. Mark’s Philadelphia, the Matt Talbot group, the Peace We Crave group, and the American National Catholic Church, among others. 

Retreat group from St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Manhattan, with CSJB Associate Marianna Klaiman (Front row, 4th from left)

The south side of St. Marguerite's Retreat House

Most people don’t realize just how many guests visit our campus each year. We welcome an average of 2,000 people in retreat groups, individual retreats, day meetings, and events. Our sacred space is a place of renewal and healing for people from all faiths and all walks of life. 

​Many thanks to our generous friends who have donated towards the replacement of the 116-year-old retreat house roof.  
If you'd like to contribute towards the CSJB Capital Campaign to replace the roof, please go to www.csjb.org/our-capital-campaign or email [email protected].
 
If you’d like to bring a group to the retreat house, email our Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos at [email protected].
 

CSJB ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

CSJB Oblates at the annual retreat with Sr. Deborah Francis and Sr. Monica Clare

Oh March 8, Sister Deborah Francis led the annual CSJB Oblates retreat at St. Mark’s Church in Mendham. The topic was “Praying with Icons,” and Sr. Deborah Francis shared her many years of expertise in this ancient method of prayer. The Oblates renewed their vows with the Rev. Lorna Erixson serving as officiant, and The Rev. Paul Rajan was received as a new Oblate. We are so grateful for the commitment and faith of the CSJB Oblates, and we keep them all in our daily prayers. 

It is with sadness that we report the death of CSJB Associate Alice Dannenbaum, who died on March 9 at the age of 93. Alice was a longtime friend of the Community, a loving mother of five sons, and a dedicated nurse. She will be greatly missed. CLICK HERE to read Alice’s obituary.
 
If you'd like information on becoming a CSJB Associate or Oblate, please contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].
​

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

Jean Gibbs Jacobson, class of 1954, passed away on March 16th after a short illness. Her son Blair tells us that she often talked about her happy years at St. John Baptist School.
 
If you are an alum and you’d like to send us updates and/or photos for our newsletter, just email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected]. 

PHOTO: Jean Gibbs with her fellow  sophomores at St. John Baptist School

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 option
​

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:

Paper quilled cross made  by
Sister Mary Lynne

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

• 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:

We all celebrated Sister Suzanne Elizabeth's birthday with her at the rehab center where she is recovering from a broken ankle. A good time was had by all - including Jennie!

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 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
Helen Wall
Alix Weisz
Joannah Wilmerding

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.

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

Our friend Loni from Grace Lutheran is teaching Niambi to play the cello

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

YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

Sisters and guests at the Easter Vigil in the Convent 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.