UPDATES FROM THE SISTERS - may 2023

​"It is not enough to say your prayers, you must live the life of prayer in its four parts--Adoration, Praise, Intercession, and Thanksgiving.
​
​Mother Harriet

The CSJB Sisters with Sister Hannah, the newly elected Prioress of the Community of St. Mary, Southern Province, who visited the Convent earlier this month.

COMMEMORATION DAY 2023

It’s almost June and you know what that means – it’s time to get ready for Commemoration Day at CSJB! Our celebration will take place June 24 with a festal Eucharist at 10:00 AM followed by luncheon on the cloister. The celebrant is The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, Bishop Assistant in the Diocese of New York, and the preacher is the Rev. John Beddingfield, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan. Please RSVP to Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] if you plan on attending. Commemoration Day is our small way of saying thank you to our many Associates, Oblates, and friends who make our ministries possible. 

Also – we have set a new date for our 150th Anniversary Commemoration Day in 2024. Next year’s celebration will be June 15 at 10:00 AM and the celebrant and preacher will be former Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori.

Masks are optional in our diocese but are strongly encouraged at this event. 
​

MYSTICAL, MAGICAL IRELAND

Father Michael with part of the group in Glendalough PHOTO BY ANGIE URBANIAK

From Sister Margo Elizabeth:
On the evening of May 17, a group of adventurous souls flew out of Newark International Airport for Dublin. It had been 4 long years since last visiting the Emerald Isle, thanks to the Covid 19 pandemic. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, all across the country for me personally it felt like a homecoming, and I prayed that the experience for the others in the group would be something they would never forget.

Here are some highlights from Julie Crawford, one of our associates and a dear friend of the community:
​
“This month Sister Margo shepherded a dozen new participants on the annual Celtic Journey to Ireland after a four year hiatus from COVID. As promised by Sr Margo, the experience was enlightening and it was an amazing gift to observe Margo as she reconnected with those she has met over the course of decades. This reflection is offered with gratitude to Sister Margo for coordinating the journey and for providing inspirational reflections and prayers to use along the way."

Dingle Peninsula from the 2023 Celtic Journey to Ireland PHOTO BY JULIE CRAWFORD

"No coincidence that light was evident in the photos along the Dingle coast, as Sr Margo
promised we all would be enlightened. May we all draw upon the energy and Spirit to push open new doors and to branch out of our comfort zones to embrace the diversity of Our Creator and World. May many new doors open for you. If you need a gentle nudge, consider her journey offerings: www.celticjourneys.org."

​THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

The Mother Jane Legacy Foundation, founded by the first child ever received at the Good Shepherd Home – Akwa Gilberto, recently did a medical outreach project in the village of Nsogwa. Gilberto is a medical doctor now, and he was interviewed on Cameroonian TV about his work at Nsogwa.  Click on the video image to see the interview with Dr. Gilberto about his ministry of bringing medical care to the poor.

The Good Shepherd Home currently houses over 100 orphaned children in Bamenda and seeks to provide an excellent education for every child. Ndomenga Dickson, who was raised at the Home, says “We have about 11 children who are writing the public exams at the end of this month, some of which will be writing to go to secondary school, some to high school and some to University.” The Home also maintains a vegetable farm, pig farm, and a chicken coop which is now being prepared for a new batch of chicks in August/September. 

Older boys at the Home, mending chairs to put into the Convent.

The ACTS Foundation, founded by Aben Cistus who grew up at the Good Shepherd Home, continues its work of teaching technical and computer skills to the poor. You may learn more about ACTS and how to help by CLICKING HERE.

​If you are interested in becoming a Good Shepherd Home sponsor for as little as $40.00 a month, please email [email protected] for more information
​

MENDHAM FAITH LEADERS

This summer, the Mendham Faith Leaders have teamed up to host ecumenical Sunday services at different houses of worship.

​Each week, a Mendham faith community will host and lead worship as we explore the theme of God’s abundance.

​All services begin at 10 AM:

August 6  
​Brookside United Church of Christ
​8 E Main St, Mendham Township, NJ 07926

August 13 ​
Hilltop Presbyterian Church
20 Hilltop Rd. Mendham, NJ 07945
Apologies. This service is moving to a different venue. Details to follow.
​

​August 27 
​Mendham United Methodist Church
​​10 E Main St, Mendham Borough, NJ 07945

​September 3  
​Community of St. John Baptist
82 West Main St. Mendham Township, NJ 07945

CLICK HERE for a flyer to hang in your church or workplace

VESTMENT COLLECTION TOUR

On April 27th a group of CSJB Associates and friends were given a unique tour of the extensive vestment collection by textile historian and Associate Marianna Klaiman.
​Starting in the parlor, the group was able to view the chasuble worn by Canon Thomas Thellusson Carter, co-founder of the Community in Clewer, UK. 

On hand was historian and biographer of CSJB, the Rev. Valerie Bonham. She is currently working on a biography of Canon Carter. She shared with the group the fascinating history of his persecution by members of The Church Association beginning in the 1870’s under the Public Worship Act as well as the Clergy Discipline Act for wearing the chasuble as a symbol of “notorious practices at Clewer which are abhorrent to the senior inhabitants.”​

Canon Carter's chasuble, photographed by Marianna Klaiman

Marianna Klaiman (R) with the vestment tour group in the Main Chapel sacristy

 ​
​Rather than stand trial and in his words endure “a complication of circumstances” Canon Carter resigned his benefice at Clewer in 1880.

​Valerie was instrumental in bringing the chasuble to Mendham where it will remain to be properly cared for and stored with the rest of the vestment collection.

The group then toured the Church Workroom where Marianna had taken out a selection of embroideries and vestments showing work both by the Sisters and others. Some of the embroideries date as early as the 16th c. and others are samples of work made by the Sisters for sale, still retaining their original paper price tags. The large cope cabinet was opened to reveal many treasures, especially the Angel Requiem cope depicting Angels holding symbols of the Seven Sacraments designed by Sr. Olive Frances and worked by her and Sr. Elizabeth Hilda in the early 20th c.

​Moving on to the Main Chapel. Marianna had laid out chasubles, burse and veil sets as well as opened drawers and cabinets to reveal magnificently embroidered stoles and frontals. The group was awed by the variety and beauty of all that they saw. More of these programs are planned for the future.

The Black Cope in the Church Workroom

Marianna's upcoming book on ecclesiastical embroidery, “Sacristies of New York: Textile Treasures of the Episcopal Church.” has an Instagram page. CLICK here to view it.

A CSJB Sister working on embroidery in the Church Workroom in 1918

​JUNETEENTH

This year’s Juneteenth event will take place Monday, June 19 at 6 PM at the Chester Gazebo, 175 Main Street in Chester, NJ. It will include a statement about the history of Juneteenth, music, prayer, and speeches. The CSJB Sisters will be there along with local clergy from all faiths to help lead the celebration.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual Federal holiday that is celebrated on June 19th throughout the United States. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks the day when the news of their freedom reached the state of Texas, the last Confederate state where slavery remained intact.
 
To learn more about Juneteenth, CLICK HERE.
​

Sister Linda Clare and CSJB Associate the Rev. Margaret Otterburn helping to set up last year's Juneteenth celebration at the Chester gazebo.

MANSION IN MAY!

Three Fields mansion in Mendham

We had a great time hosting the Mansion in May parking on our school property this month. Participants parked here, then were driven by bus to this year’s designer showcase mansion, Three Fields, in Mendham. The event is sponsored by the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center, and it has raised over 12 million dollars since it began hosting mansion tours in 1974.

​We are amazed that this year’s Mansion in May sometimes attracted over 1,000 people a day and that there were often in excess of 500 cars parked here.

​Historian Barry Thomson put together two history displays about CSJB in the parking tent and he also made more detailed versions of them for our website.   They can be read by CLICKING HERE and CLICKING HERE.

Many thanks to parking co-chairs Bob and Rosalie Baker, historian Barry Thomson, event co-chairs Mary Courtemanche & Barbara Ruane, and all the wonderful volunteers who included us in this important fundraiser. 
​

Jennie wanted to sniff and inspect all the buses as they arrived on the property

Jennie supervised parking and buses all month long.

GOOD NEWS GARDENS
From CSJB Associate Julie Crawford

The CSJB Garden of Hope, which grows produce for local food pantries, is part of the Good News Gardens program in the Episcopal Church, which seeks to partner with people in transformational agrarian ministry that feeds body, mind, and spirit.

Bless This Fig Tree
Farmer  Shaun Ankanko of the urban Grow-it-Green donated a fig tree to the Sisters for their assistance this Spring at the Sisters of Charity in Convent Station greenhouse.  The sapling was tended in the Garden of Hope greenhouse and is ready for planting.

Bless These Tomatoes 
Associate Frank Homer from the Church of Messiah Chester  shares his green thumb by annually providing the Garden of Hope with his home grown tomato plants. The tomatoes are planted in the Convent kitchen garden, Garden of Hope, CrossRoads, and Church of the Messiah garden plots to support local food pantries

The mailbox at our Garden of Hope, where volunteers can exchange messages and seeds with each other.

The fig tree from Farmer Shaun

Progress at the Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion Good News Garden  in South Orange ​
As follow-up to the bed installation and preparation from last month, Boy Scout Troop 32G from Bellville spend a full Saturday planting raspberry bushes and aromatic herbs to deter garden pests.  They also demolished an old railroad tie bed and replaced it with a modern trug which will accommodate access to gardening for older members.  The  installation included solar sonic panels and solar strobe lights to deter rodents from the plots.

New Potato Bin
Using refurbished wood from the Daytop School woodshed, the Community now has a new potato bin.  As the vines grow additional composted soil is added throughout the season with every 6-9 inches. 

Our new potato bin

Tomato plant donation from Frank Homer at the Church of the Messiah in Chester

If you'd like to learn more about the Garden of Hope, or if you're interested in volunteering, please email Sister Linda Clare at [email protected].

MOMS DEMAND ACTION RALLY

On May 13, the day before Mother’s Day, Sister Deborah Francis and CSJB Associate Cathy Harris attended a Moms Demand Action anti-gun violence rally at Morristown town hall. The nonpartisan event was attended by approximately 200 people and featured speeches by Mayor Tim Dougherty, State Representative Mikie Sherrill, and Morris County Democratic Chair Amalia Duarte. Moms Demand Action is a national organization that is part of Everytown for Gun Safety. Rallies were held across the U.S. on May 13 to demand action on common-sense gun control laws. CLICK HERE to learn more about Moms Demand Action and find out how to help.

Sister Deborah Francis' photo appeared in morristowngreen.com. Photo by Katharine Boyle.

If you are interested in attending a rally for a specific cause and you don't want to go by yourself, email Sister Monica at [email protected].

​ST. ELSIE'S THRIFT SHOP

Sister Victoria Michelle does many ministries at the Church of the Messiah. One of them is to regularly volunteer at  St. Elsie’s Thrift Shop on Saturdays. The shop is open Thursdays 1-5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and it’s located at 50 State Route 24, Chester, NJ. They have great deals on clothing, accessories, and housewares and they have a very large selection.
 
If you’d like to learn more about donating or shopping at St. Elsie’s you can check out their Facebook page or call 908-879-7208. 

Sister Victoria with fellow volunteers at St. Elsie's

DAMAGE TO THE CSJB CEMETERY

On May 1, one of the many dead ash trees near our cemetery fell over in the wind and crashed through the roof of the beautiful lychgate of our cemetery. It was only by the grace of God that the tree missed destroying the beautiful, 106-year-old copper bell tower that was given by Sister Julia Bernardine (May) in 1917 in memory of her brother, Fred. 

​We are very grateful that the repairs will be covered by insurance, and we thank Davey Tree Removal and Progressive Renovations for all their hard work in restoring the lychgate to its original glory. 

Our estate manager Ken McCurdy’s son, Ryan also discovered when he inspected the damage that something was “hissing” at him. It turned out to be a baby black vulture, part of an extended family that had taken up residence in the bell tower. We decided to leave the vulture family alone and hope they aren’t too perturbed by all the repair noises.

Our very confused baby black vulture.
Photo by Ryan McCurdy

Tree through the roof of our Lychgate
​Photo by Valerie Bonham

Workman from Davey Tree Removal scaling the outside of the lychgate. Photo by Ken McCurdy

ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

Please join us in praying for the family of CSJB Associate Carol Berry, whose brother Warren Dyer passed away May 14.
 
We will be receiving several new Associates at our Commemoration Day celebration on June 24 at 10 AM in the Main Chapel. We hope to see you all there. Please RSVP to Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] if you’d like to come.
​

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

From SJBS alumna Pam Nelon: “For your scheduling purposes: the next SJBS alumni/friends/family/ anyone who wants to come summer gathering is August 26th. As usual it will start before noon and ends whenever (usually 4ish), but feel free to come earlier and hang out. I will be there the day before and setting up that morning. Hope to see you there!”  Please contact Pam Nelon at [email protected] to RSVP for the reunion or go to the St. John Baptist School Facebook page.

June 5, 1928: Commencement and laying of the cornerstone for the new school building. Bishop Wilson Reiff Stearly, fourth Bishop of Newark, addressing the graduates. CSJB Sisters are at the left of the photo.
​

SERMONS

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

CLICK HERE for Sister Deborah Francis’ sermon for Easter III
 
CLICK HERE for Sister Deborah Francis’ sermon for Easter VII
 
CLICK HERE for Sister Monica Clare’s sermon on Ascension Day
 
CLICK HERE for Sister Monica Clare’s sermon on John 20

Sister Deborah Francis preaching in the CSJB chapel

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.
​
There will be a 30th anniversary celebration of the Drew Holocaust/Genocide Center in the fall. By that time, the second printing of the book will definitely be available.  In the meantime, the Holocaust Center has produced a free Online version, which is available on the Drew University Holocaust/Genocide Center website. ​

​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 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 suffered from gun violence.

For all people affected by military conflict.

​For all victims of human trafficking.

All who are suffering grief, loss, and illness.

For peace in the Middle East and peace in Ukraine,

For refugees throughout the world,

For all healthcare workers and other essential workers,
​
For our Searchers who are discerning a call to the Religious life, and:

Flowers from the garden in our chapel

Alison
​Andy
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
Sully
Susan and family
Suzanne
Tiffany
Tom
Tommy
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

Jennie and  one of her favorite mamas, Sister Mary Lynne 

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

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

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.

The Convent in spring light

​YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

Tag on one of the embroidery pieces in our Church Workroom. Photo by Marianna Klaiman

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.
​

Sister Suzanne Marie, SSJD (Right) helps historian Valerie Bonham (center)  load her suitcases in the car as Valerie returns to England from a month-long visit to CSJB. Sister Suzanne Marie is visiting CSJB from the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine in Toronto.