UPDATES FROM THE SISTERS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

The Rev. Phil Carr Jones (R) with Sister Mary Lynne (L) and Sister Laura Katharine on Ash Wednesday
​

Even so let me realize
Thy loving redemption
with a grateful contrition.
In the greatness of my sin
let me realize
the greatness of Thy love.
​
--Mother Harriet

THE JOURNEY THROUGH LENT

As we make our way through the forty days of Lent, we remember to turn inward and detach from anything in our life that distracts us from God. We hope to die to our own will and follow God’s will in all things. Some choose to give up worldly things like chocolate or going to the movies for Lent. Others decide to take up a service project or purge unnecessary items from their homes.  Each person’s path is different.

The Mendham Faith Leaders are offering our annual Lenten Lunches again this year, and we hope that local believers of all faiths can join us in this simple, meditative gathering. The Lenten Lunches are held at noon on Wednesdays at Grace Lutheran Church in Mendham and include a short church service followed by a free luncheon of soup, bread, and desserts. 

Dates: February 28, March 6, March 13, and March 20 at NOON.
Location: Grace Lutheran Church, 65 E Main St, Mendham Borough, NJ 07945, USA
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
​

OUR 150TH YEAR OF MINISTRY IN AMERICA HAS BEGUN

Sister Francis Constance, the first Mother Superior of the American CSJB Community

This year marks 150 years since the first three Sisters landed in New York City, after a long journey from the CSJB mother house in England, to establish an American branch house. Those brave Sisters arrived on a bitterly cold day in New York City on February 5, 1874, determined to establish a mission for the poor German immigrants in the Lower East Side.

What would those three sisters think, we wonder, of our sesquicentennial celebrations 150 years later? Did they ever dream that the Community would still be going strong and continuing Mother Harriet's mission?
​
On February 6, 2024, we held a special Eucharist to commemorate the Sisters' landing in New York in 1874. Our Community Pastor, the Rev. John Beddingfield, was celebrant and preacher. ​

Please mark your calendars, as we will be holding these other events to celebrate our 150th year:

June 15, 2024, 10:30 AM: Commemoration Day
The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will be celebrant and preacher.
Solemn Eucharist followed by luncheon on the cloister.
​
Please RSVP to Sr. Pamela at [email protected] before April 10

The Rev. John Beddingfield celebrating mass on Feb. 6, 2024

September 28, 2024 – Monastery in Mendham
​
Tours of the Convent and Retreat House,
open to the public

We are still looking for volunteers to lead the tours. Please email Sr. Monica at [email protected] if you’d like to help.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

ACT Foundation team members with children at the Good Shepherd Home in Abangoh

There are currently over 100 orphans at the Good Shepherd Home in West Africa, and the Sisters, staff, and volunteers work hard to make sure that all the children receive an education, a nutritional diet, lots of love, and a solid Christian foundation. 

The Home is currently appealing to the public for support in these areas of need for the children:

If you'd like to help with these needs, o rif you'd like to become a sponsor for as little as $40 a month, please email CSJB at [email protected].

ACT Foundation
The ACT Foundation, which was started by Good Shepherd Home alumni Aben Cistus, now has a TikTok channel! The channel is called actfoundationcmr.  CLICK HERE to see great videos of the work that Cistus and his team are doing to help bring technology instruction to the poorest of the poor.
​
Check out the ACT Foundation page on Facebook, too, to see the many places the team is going these days.

Slideshow of fundraising needs at the Good Shepherd Home

Baby God Gift, whose mother was homeless  when she was expecting him, now has a safe home with his mother.

Mother Jane Legacy Foundation:
https://www.facebook.com/MotherJaneLegacyfoundation

From Dr. Gilberto, who was the first orphan to be received at the Good Shepherd Home: “We hope to increase our commitment to continue providing medical care to our suffering people in the war-torn areas this year. We have received multiple calls from different areas to come to their rescue. We plead with our dear friends and partners in America to make this possible. The Mother Jane Legacy Foundation team is committed to bringing much-needed health assistance to these communities."

God Gift, the baby who was helped by the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, is now thriving after generous donors provided funds for food, medical care, and shelter for him and his mother.

CSJB IS IN THE LIVING CHURCH!

Have you seen the February 18, 2024 issue of the Living Church magazine? Thanks to CSJB Associate Marianna Klaiman, some of CSJB’s ecclesiastical embroidery treasures are featured in an article on page 18 and on the cover.

Marianna is researching historical embroidery for her upcoming book, Sacristies of New York: Textile Treasures of the Episcopal Church and the article in this month’s Living Church features many of her beautiful photographs of ecclesiastical embroidery from CSJB and from various Episcopal parishes in New York. Marianna is a textiles expert, and she shares her insights into the conservation of these treasures of the church. You can see more of Marianna’s photographs on her Instagram page at www.instagram.com/sacristies_of_ny and her website at www.sacristiesofny.com. 

Marianna Klaiman in the Living Church

LENTEN QUIET DAY – March 16 at All Saints Church in Millington

​On Saturday, March 16, Sister Monica Clare will lead a Lenten quiet day at All Saints, Millington from 10 AM to 1:30 PM. The theme of the quiet day is "Creative Ways to Pray". This retreat day will be a time for quiet, reflection, and conversation. We'll learn and try some different ways to pray and connect with God in this season of reflection and connection.

Click on the image to download a flyer to display in your church or other public area
 
Register by March 7 via email to the Rev. Vicki McGrath at [email protected] or by calling 908-647-0067.
.

OPERA AT THE CONVENT

Two opera companies will be presenting programs in the excellent acoustics of the CSJB Main Chapel this spring.

On March 9 at 7PM, Music in the Somerset Hills will perform Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, which has become a treasured staple among Italian works for the Lenten season.

​TENET Vocal Artists will offer an intimate, one-to-a-part performance for singers, string quartet, and continuo. They will also explore florid sonatas by Isabella Leonarda, who lived and composed one generation before Pergolesi, and whose works show the depth and versatility of her creative genius. CLICK HERE for tickets and information.

​On April 12 at 7PM and on April 14 at 2:30PM, Opera Magnifico presents Suor Angelica, Puccini’s tragic tale of a woman who bears a child out of wedlock and is sent to a convent to repent for her sins. The performance will be an immersive experience that includes a history of the CSJB Convent during intermission.

​The Artistic Director of Opera Magnifico is Stephen Walley, the son of the Rev. Kent Walley who is the rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Gladstone.

The program time is 120 minutes. CLICK HERE for tickets and information.
 

EPIPHANY PARTY

This year we weren’t sure if the Epiphany Party was even going to happen because snow and ice had prevented people from driving until late afternoon on that day. We are so grateful to all of you who braved the melted slush to make it to the party.

​We had a wonderful crowd and excellent food, as usual, and the hymn singing really put everyone in a good mood after the big snowstorm. What a blessing it was to see all our friends. Special Thanks to CSJB Associate Margaret Erath, who played piano for our hymn sing.

Hymn sing in the Convent parlor

​FINISHING SEMINARY

Sister Monica Clare with her classmates at Sewanee

Sister Monica Clare, who is in the ordination process in the Diocese of Newark, completed two years of seminary training at the University of the South in January.
​
​She attended the Alternative Clergy Training at Sewanee (ACTS) program and studied the six canonical areas of Bible, Theology, History, Ethics, Christian Worship, and Ministry in Contemporary Society. 

Sister Monica Clare with Sister Hannah, Prioress of St. Mary's 

While studying at the University of the South, Sister Monica stayed with the Sisters of the Community of St. Mary, Southern Province at their beautiful convent in Sewanee. After finishing her field placement at St. Stephen’s Church in Millburn, she will attend a Clinical Pastoral Education course from September 2024 to May, 2025 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and complete the General Ordination Examination in January 2025. If God wills it, she hopes to be ordained in 2025 or 2026.

ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE

Vestry from St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Doylestown, PA.  The Rev. Daniel Moore, Rector.

Some of the groups we’ve welcomed at St. Marguerite’s in January/February are:
St. James School Servant Year Jan. 11-13.
St. Michael's Vestry Feb. 2-3
St. Paul's Brooklyn Feb.  9-10
Our Lady of Mt Carmel - Ignatian Spirituality Project - Feb 16-17
St. Paul's Doylestown Feb. 24-25

Here is a review of St. Marguerite’s from Steve Cote, the Regional Director, East for Ignatian Spirituality Project: "I help run an organization providing retreats across 30 cities. St Marguerite’s House could be a 100/100 let alone a 5/5. Incredible hospitable staff willing to dive into their own stories- making the retreat weekend truly about something larger than ourselves. The architecture and interior design could not be more impressive or impeccable as well! Thank you!"

In addition to weekend groups, we also invite any day groups, corporate meetings, and other gatherings to our retreat house. Please email Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos at [email protected] if you are interested in St. Marguerite's. 

St. Marguerite's after the big snowstorm

OUR BOY SCOUT TROOP

The Sisters of CSJB chartered a new Boy Scout Troop, 130, which meets weekly at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. Here is the most recent announcement from one of the Scout leaders, Lawrence Morris:
 
"On behalf of Troop 130, it is my pleasure to announce that Will Morris earned the rank of Eagle Scout on February 15th and is our Troop’s second Eagle Scout in its recent history!!!

​Will has been involved in Scouting since joining Mendham's Pack 133 in the summer of 2016 as a Tiger Scout and worked his way through the Cub Scout ranks before earning Arrow of Light, Cub Scouting's highest award, in April 2021; he crossed over to Tr. 1 but ultimately left to become a Founding member of Troop 130.

Lawrence and Will Morris at the Convent

Will is a very active member of his Troop and has enjoyed a wide variety of Scouting experiences. His favorite trip was attending the National Scout Jamboree in July 2023. To date, he has spent 68 nights camping; hiked almost 80 miles, and given 64 hours of his time in service of others. As a result, he earned the National Outdoor Award for Camping. He is also an upstanding young man, exemplifies the Scout Oath and Law, and leads by example. For this, he was elected to the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's 'Honor Society.'
 
Please join me in congratulating Will on his significant achievement! His Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held this Spring - more details to come.
 
Yours in Scouting,
Mr Morris”
​

UPDATE ON THE COLLABORATORY
​Hopes and Dreams for the Future Project

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? - Isaiah 43:17 

Under the sponsorship of CSJB and The Church of the Messiah, the regional community had an opportunity to participate in a Collaboratory Project.  After a 7-week design process of planning and discernment,  Messiah Outreach member Elizabeth Girardy, supported by a team from Messiah and the Sisters, held a Hopes and Dreams PopUp in downtown Chester in early January and now is collecting ideas from others. 

Prior to the event, the Sisters honored Elizabeth by providing her with a gift of a Bible in the King James version complete with commentary.  Elizabeth was thrilled to add the resource to her references when Sr Victoria presented the Bible to her at Messiah.
 
The PopUp event, which was designed using tools from the Princeton Theological Seminary Collaboratory, shared community resources and continues to allow participants to share their hopes and dreams for the community, the region, creation/environment, and ‘other’.  All are welcome to participate.  Share your Hopes and Dreams and Complete the On-Line Survey.  The program will be rolled out nationally next fall, and Messiah and the SIsters were honored to help in the cohort development. 

Sister Victoria (R) with Elizabeth Girardy at the Church of the Messiah

Honoring Martin Luther King Community Day of Service
The Collaboratory Project was extended and made available to participants from 8 other churches in the Long Valley region at The Martin Luther King Day of Community Service event held on January 15 at Messiah.  After a prayer service, the project assembled takeaway meals for Faith Kitchen in Dover and hygiene kits for the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County.

CSJB Associate and Messiah member David Sullivan participated in the MLK Day of Community Service along with dozens from 8 different churches in the region.

Information from the Hopes and Dreams Project will be shared with local leaders and local clergy.   An on-line Hopes and Dreams platform is available and a Hopes and Dreams facebook page is envisioned. You can add in your own Hopes and Dreams by using the on-line survey form Share your Hopes and Dreams and Complete the On-Line Survey.
 
Anyone interested in offering this project at a local community fair or sponsoring a similar Hopes and Dreams PopUp Event can Contact the Parish Administrator at Messiah and leave a message for the Messiah OutReach Team. 
​

SERMONS BY THE SISTERS

The Sisters of CSJB often preach in the Convent chapel and at local parishes. 
Here are some of the recent sermons:

CLICK HERE for a sermon by Sister Deborah Francis

CLICK HERE for a sermon by Sister Linda Clare

CLICK HERE for a sermon by Sister Eleanor Francis

CLICK HERE for a Christmas sermon by Sister Linda Clare

Click on the image above for a video of Sister Monica Clare's children's sermon at St. Stephen's, Millburn on Feb. 11.

ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES 

The CSJB Oblates Retreat is scheduled for March 8-9 at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. Please email Oblate Pat McKenzie at [email protected] for info.
 
Congratulations to Ben Francisco, son of CSJB Associate Janet Maulbeck, on the publication of his book Val Vega: Secret Ambassador of Earth. The book is available at most online booksellers. CLICK HERE to purchase it on Barnes & Noble’s website.

If you are interested in becoming a CSJB Associate or Oblate, please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL

SJBS Alumna Belinda Brusch shared these great photos from when her mother, Gail Angelman (SJBS ’53) was a student.
​
Please mark your calendars. The 2024 St. John Baptist School reunion will be on August 24! Contact Pam Nelon at [email protected] to RSVP for the reunion or go to the St. John Baptist School Facebook page.

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

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:

Sunlight in St. Michael's Chapel at the Convent

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

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

Clara, our convent cat, entertaining a guest  in the sitting room.

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

St. Marguerite's in the snow. Three pictures taken by Sister Suzanne Elizabeth

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.

​YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

Sunlight forming a cross in the sitting room

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.