Community of St John Baptist
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Service Schedule
    • Events and Programs
    • Our Work/Outreach
    • History of CSJB
    • Sermons
    • Becoming a Sister
    • The Search Program
    • Celtic Journeys
    • Our Sisters in England
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Newsletter
  • Retreats/Guests
    • St. Marguerite's Retreat House
    • Individual Guests
    • Day Groups
  • Donate
    • Supporting CSJB
    • Our Capital Campaign
    • The Nun Better Cookbook
    • Legacy Program
  • Get Involved
    • Associates/Oblates
    • Volunteering
  • Contact
    • Contact CSJB
    • Links
  • DIRECTIONS
    • Driving Directions by Car
    • Public Transportation to the Convent
  • Jobs

Updates from the sisters - SEPTEMBER 2020

9/21/2020

0 Comments

 
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
 
Anne Frank
Picture
 Sister Laura Katharine leading an Enneagram workshop via Zoom for the Summer 2020 Search Program. (Click on any photo to enlarge.)
Picture
L to R: Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, Sister Laura Katharine, and Sister Barbara Jean during their time as teachers at St. John Baptist School.
Picture
Sister Laura Katharine celebrating her 50th Anniversary of Life Vows on Sept. 8, 2020.
Picture
L to R: Sister Laura Katharine, Sister Barbara Jean, and Sister Suzanne Elizabeth at Sister Barbara Jean's 50th Anniversary of Life Vows in March, 2020.
For those of us who experience life through the church or academic calendar, the fall season always feels like a time of new beginnings.
When our Community founded and operated schools for girls, many of our Sisters were teachers. Any Sisters who were traveling in the summer months would assure the Superior they’d be back to prepare for the school year by August 29 – the feast of the martyrdom of our patron saint – by saying “Don’t worry, I’ll be back for the Beheading!” With all due respect to our patron Saint John the Baptist and his sacrifice for Christ, this declaration still brings a little bit of a laugh every time a Sister reminisces about it because of the odd turn of phrase, and it also reminds us that every year since we were founded in 1852, no matter what the circumstances of the world around us, we could always begin again in September. ​​
PictureThe celebration of Sister Suzanne Elizabeth's 50th Anniversary of Life Vows, May 2019.
​Three of our current Sisters were teachers at St. John Baptist School, and all three of them have recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary of Profession in Life Vows.  Suzanne Elizabeth (p. 05/26/1969), Sister Barbara Jean (p. 03/31/1970), and Sister Laura Katharine (p. 09/08/1970) came into the Community amid the political and social upheavals of the 1960s when they felt a call to serve God’s people in an uncertain time. All three are still finding new ministries and new beginnings as they continue to discern God’s will. On September 8, we celebrated Sister Laura Katharine’s 50th Anniversary of Profession in Life Vows with a special Eucharist on the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a cake baked by Sister Pamela. Sister Laura Katharine was overwhelmed with gratitude that so many friends sent their well wishes and prayers for her. She thanks you all for remembering her special day.

On September 9, we received two new CSJB Associates. The Rev. Lorna Erixson, rector of St. Mark's Church in Mendham, and our Retreat House Manager Bradley Kalos were originally supposed to be received on June 20 at Commemoration Day, but since the event had to be canceled due to COVID we had to figure out a socially-distanced way to receive them. We met on the cloister, on a day when the weather cooperated perfectly, and we are overjoyed to have these two faithful friends of CSJB join our community of prayer and fellowship.
​
Picture
September also marks the new year for our Jewish friends. St. John Baptist School Alumna Debbie Kamins (SJBS ’70) serves as the assistant cantor and leads musical parts of the services for the Shoreshim Community in Reston VA. She sent us links to their High Holy Days services for this year, including Rosh Hashana which took place on September 19.

​Links to upcoming services are:
Kol Nidre:  Sunday, September 27, 7:30 pm
Yom Kippur Day:  Monday, September 28, 10 am.

Debbie gives thanks to Sister Jane Patricia from St. John Baptist School for her excellent musical training!

PictureSister Victoria Michelle with one of her handmade wooden Anglican Rosaries.
We’re beginning our program year this fall by offering the first in a series of online presentations. Sister Victoria’s Bead Workshop will take place on Oct. 3 via Zoom, and we’re very happy to see that 28 people have signed up so far. If you’re interested in attending this workshop, we still have some spaces left. Suggested donation for the workshop is $25. Please email srmc@csjb.org for more information or visit our Events page on the CSJB website.

PictureTeresa of Avila by Francois Gerard (1770-1837)
Our next Associates’ Program and optional meeting will take place via Zoom on Saturday, October 24, 1:30-3:30 pm.
The program topic is St. Teresa of Avila, led by Sr. Eleanor Francis. Suggested donation for this program is $25. Please email CSJB Oblate Pat McKenzie at mckenziepat@gmail.com to register. After registration, a zoom link will be emailed to you.

​Mail a check for your $25 donation, made out to the Community of St. John Baptist,  to PO Box 240 Mendham, NJ 07945 - or donate through Paypal here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CommunityofStJohnBap
​
If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate, we’d love to hear from you! Just email Sister Eleanor Francis at  sref@csjb.org

PictureSister Victoria (R) with the Rev. Margaret Otterburn (center) at Homeless Solutions on Sept. 19.
​Sister Victoria volunteered at Homeless Solutions in Randolph on Sept. 19.
She, along with the Rev. Margaret Otterburn and other volunteers from the Church of the Messiah in Chester, helped cook and serve dinner to 30 people. 

​Many of the CSJB Sisters are now prepared to lead programs on Zoom. We can provide online retreats, presentations, and quiet days for Advent and Lent or for any other needs you might have. Just email Sister Monica at srmc@csjb.org if you’d like more information.


PictureA prayer card from a Sisters' collection.
Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, our Community Infirmarian, has this update on Sister Barbara Jean: On July 12, 2020 Sr. Barbara Jean had a neurological incident when she fell on the floor, and we had to call 911 to take her to the hospital. After 4 days and many tests and rest, she was taken to Holly Manor for rehab. She likes her roommate Anne who is a retired teacher and has a big flat screen TV on which they both watch the news, movies and right now the tennis US Open matches as her roommate used to be a tennis player and avid tennis watcher. Sr. Barbara Jean reports the people there are very nice and also she enjoys the food they serve. She receives many phone calls, as I often get a busy phone signal when I try to call. I take her mail and articles she requests and she receives them after they’ve been in quarantine for 48 hours. No one may go into the facility due to the virus but we were able to have some outdoor visiting with social distancing once a week for a few minutes the past three weeks. Hopefully when no staff or resident tests positive we may be able to visit again. Sister keeps busy with all her projects that she has never been without, under any circumstances, and is always ‘cooking up’ some creative activity.  They have also invited her to lead songs and the Rosary prayers via Zoom that may be seen virtually in every room. 
 
If you would like to hear from her, please send her your phone number and she will be delighted to call you and keep in touch.  If you would like updates, leave me your name and phone number on my house phone 973-543-4641 ext 5 and I will get back to you as I am able. Please keep us all in your prayers. --Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, CSJB

PictureSister Jane and some of the children of the Good Shepherd Home
Sister Jane Mankaa, head of the Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon, West Africa, sends us this update: Greetings from all of us. All is well despite of the war going on northwest and southwest of Cameroon. It has been two weeks that we have not been to town to buy food for the Home. The military is all over the place and doing all sorts of atrocities. We are safe in the Home. The good Lord is keeping us safe.  We run a Home school for the kids. Teachers come from the city to teach, and go home. All of our kids who sat for the first school living certificate made it. We are now waiting for the results of those who wrote the G C E. We hope they shall make it as well. The children all studied at home with the help of these teachers coming from outside.  Schools will re-opened in Cameroon on the 6th of October. We hope to reopen the Good Shepherd Academy in October as well. The children are doing well health-wise. No malaria this time but a lot of rain. We also have some young men and women doing their internship in Agriculture in the Home. Our pig farm is one of the best around, so students from different schools come for internship on our pig farm. One of our children did Agriculture in University. He is the one giving lectures to the internship students. Stay blessed and our love to all. – by Sister Jane Mankaa, EBSB

PictureL to R: Sister Pamela, Sister Victoria Michelle, Julie Crawford, Matt Borinshteyn, Sister Linda Clare, Sister Monica Clare (photo by Matt's awesome Mom, Natalia)
Our Garden of Hope is really looking great! Many thanks to Julie Crawford and Sharing Project founder Matthew Borinshteyn for bringing us so many great ideas and new volunteers. We've been regularly delivering produce from the Garden of Hope to local food pantries and we are looking forward to fall projects such as refurbishing the wood around the beds and restarting the compost bins. Julie has very kindly begun a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Garden of Hope. The GoFundMe page can be viewed HERE.  The garden was founded in 2005 in cooperation with the Interchurch Committee of the Mendhams and is now one of six plots cultivated by the Sharing Project.

PictureSt. Marguerite's Retreat House - photo by Sister Suzanne Elizabeth
​St. Marguerite’s Retreat House remains closed to overnight groups as we continue to plan a socially-distanced reopening.  In the meantime, we are open for socially-distanced outdoor events, labyrinth walks for individuals or groups, and 1-2 overnight guests at a time at our guest cottage. Please email our Retreat House Manager Bradley Kalos at guestministry@csjb.org to plan an outdoor event at the retreat house, and please email Sister Pamela at sr-pamela@csjb.org to reserve a stay at the guest cottage. The cottage has its own bathroom, an eat-in kitchen, a bedroom and living room so guests are self-contained. We also allow ample time between visitors for proper cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces and linens.


Picture9/11 memorial in Jersey City, near where our Sisters lived and worked on 2nd St. for over 30 years, looking towards One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. (Photo by Sister Monica Clare)
A Memory of 9/11 - By Sister Eleanor Francis
The tragedy of September 11, 2001 occurred 19 years ago. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed. I was fortunate to serve as a Ground Zero chaplain during the long period of clean-up. There are memories that will remain etched in my mind forever, but for the sake of brevity, I will recount one. 
​
One day, I was serving in a building called “T-Mor”, which stood for “Temporary Morgue.”  You can imagine how grisly was the work that went on there. However, my job was simply to sit in my corner and be available to anyone who wanted to talk. I always wore my habit at Ground Zero; it attracts some and scares others. A big, burly fireman approached me. He said something like this: “I so admire the work you are doing. You listen to people talk all day long.  You pray for us.  I could never do what you do.” Feeling a bit embarrassed, I replied, “Well, what have you been doing?”  Slowly he answered, “The other day I rescued a baby from a burning building.” Does he think prayer is more important than rescuing babies from burning buildings?  I wouldn’t want to pass judgment on that. What I can say for sure is: “Never underestimate the power of prayer.” – by Sr. Eleanor Francis, CSJB

Picture
Our next Community Movie Discussion will be on October 12 on Zoom from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the documentary "RBG" which ​focuses on the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT. 
​

As clergy serving in a politically diverse community, we want to emphasize that while we are deeply invested in discussing current issues of justice, we are intentionally non-partisan.

For more details:
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE EVENT'S FACEBOOK PAGE.
 
 The CSJB Online Prayer ministry continues with Centering Prayer every Thursday night at 7:15 PM, Associate Prayers on the first Friday of each month at 10:30 AM, and prayers for all who wish to join us on the third Friday of every month at 10:30 AM. 
 
Please email Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org if you’d like to join the Thursday Centering Prayer group. The Zoom link for this event is usually emailed out by noon on Thursdays.

Picture
Clara, one of our two Convent kitties.
The next dates for the Associates’ First Friday prayers are Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 1, and Feb. 5.  If you’re a CSJB Associate and you’d like to join us for Zoom prayers on the first Friday of every month, email Pat McKenzie at mckenziepat@gmail.com. If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate, email  Sister Eleanor Francis at sref@csjb.org
​
The next dates for the all-are-welcome Friday prayers are Oct. 16, Nov. 20, and Dec. 18. Please email srmc@csjb.org if you’d like to join us in prayer.
PictureA family of deer outside the former St. John Baptist School property
​We now have a page on our website with details, photos, and a video of the former St. John Baptist School property. There are contemporary photos and video by the Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD – rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, as well as vintage photos of the SJBS students and the school property from 1929 to 1983. CLICK HERE to view the new page.

PictureThe sea in Ireland, photographed by Sister Margo Elizabeth
Due to the Corona Virus pandemic, our 2020 Celtic Journeys has been canceled, but
Please see our trips for 2021!
https://www.celticjourneys.org/copy-of-ireland https://www.celticjourneys.org/cornwall
For more information, contact Sister Margo Elizabeth:
Phone: 973 543 4641 ext 4                      
Email: srmargo@gmail.com

PictureCard made by Sister Deborah Francis from feathers dropped by the peacocks at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City
PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR
Jon, James, Carolyn and Bruce, Alexis, our Searchers, Jarad and Monica, Rebecca and her family, Nadine, Norman, Erin, Jess, Linda Lee, John, Myram, Juli and Gil, Michael, Doug, Janet, Jessica and Brendan,  Tommy,  Janet, Patty, Patrick, Chris’ wife Sam and their two children, John, Sister Barbara Jean, Greg and Pat, Phoebe, Jay, Dean, Raajiv, Geri and family, Claire, Margaret and family, Chris, Larry, Kenneth, Louie, Annette, Michelle, Manh, Kristee, Judith, Suzanne, Anthony, Warren, James, Ingrid, Chris, Sully, Daniel, Nicole, Jennifer, Joyce, the Clewer Initiative, our Sisters in England, Virginia, Maureen and Donald, Bill and Carol, Michelle, Tiffany, Myles, Jim.
 
Also: For a new ministry for the former Daytop Buildings and grounds.
 
Sister Victoria has recently experienced a sense of calling to volunteer at the Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter in Morristown. She is currently exploring ways to join their efforts in person. Please join us in praying for her as she discerns her path there.
 
We would be honored to pray for you. Please email superior@csjb.org with any prayer requests. ​​


OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO:
​Our many helpers, volunteers, and those who encourage us
​Bonnie Johanson
The Rev. Russell Griffin and the people of St. Uriel’s
Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Glassner
​Our Searchers
Connie Moore
Michael Reiter
Barbara Barbeau
Ed Raworth
Jane Hayden
Linda Lee Mundy
The family of Dottie Gruber
Chris Chrystal and Myram Borders
Julie Crawford
​Willard Bergman, Esq.
Kit Rockwell
The Rev. Victoria McGrath and the people of All Saints Millington
Our generous donors
The Rev. Lorna Erixson and the people of St. Mark’s Mendham
The Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD and the people of the Church of the Redeemer
The Rev. Margaret Otterburn and the people of the Church of the Messiah
Our CSJB Associates and Oblates
Interweave
Joe Boney
Myles Varley

And all those who have generously donated to the Good Shepherd Home, our Capital Campaign, and our general fund despite all the economic uncertainty.
Picture
Sister Suzanne Elizabeth and Sister Laura Katharine in the chapel.
Picture
A red squirrel raiding the bird feeder outside the sitting room. Many thanks to our generous birdseed donor.
Picture
Our friend Ed Raworth drops cookies off on the cloister for us on Sunday mornings. Ed was a regular Sunday worshiper with us before COVID, and we look forward to a time when he can join us again for the Eucharist.
Picture
A prayer that Sister Pamela keeps in her Bible to read during prayer time, every morning.
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 nearly six 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


If you’re interested in becoming an Associate or Oblate, we’d love to hear from you. Just email srmc@csjb.org for more information.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020

    CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR:

    COVID-19 Resources from the Diocese of Newark

    COVID-19 Information from the Centers for Disease Control

    ANTI-RACISM
    ​Dialogue from the Diocese of Newark

    ​
    THE CLEWER INITIATIVE
    ANTI-TRAFFICKING
    PROGRAM
    founded by our Sisters in England
     and the Rt. Rev. Alastair Redfern

    THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

    Thank you to all our donors who raised over $480,000 to replace our 114-year-old septic system! 

    Next, we hope to replace the Convent stucco and restore our cemetery.

    Thank you for supporting our Capital Campaign to help us continue God's work in our sacred  space. 



    It's easy to help!

    To donate by check, make your check out to:
    St. John the Baptist Foundation 
    and specify
    "Capital Campaign" on the ledger line of your check.
    Mail to: PO Box 240
    Mendham, NJ .7945

    To donate by PAYPAL, go to 
    Paypal.me/stjohnfoundation 
    ​and in the "purpose" section of your online donation type "Capital Campaign."

    Thank you for supporting our ministries of retreat and spiritual direction which are needed more than ever in today's world.


    The State of New Jersey recently stopped giving grants for repairs to religious structures, so this has taken away half our funding for repairs and restorations. The COVID crisis has also negatively impacted our funding for these projects.
     
    If you're interested in contributing to our Capital Campaign to help with these goals, or you'd like to learn about donating in other ways to the ministries of CSJB, CLICK HERE
    If you'd like to find out what's going on at other Episcopal Religious Communities, go to: www.caroa.net

Location

​82 West Main Street Mendham, NJ 07945

community of saint john baptist

By centering our lives in prayer and worship, we seek to:
  •  Build community among ourselves
  •  Live by the Vows of Poverty, Chastity and
     Obedience
  •  Prepare a place where hearts may be open  to receive God's love
  •  Use our gifts individually and corporately to  minister  to the needs of God's world.

"He must increase, I must decrease"
(John 3:30)

Contact Us

PO Box 240 
Mendham, New Jersey 07945
​
   • 973 543-4641

   • superior@csjb.org
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Service Schedule
    • Events and Programs
    • Our Work/Outreach
    • History of CSJB
    • Sermons
    • Becoming a Sister
    • The Search Program
    • Celtic Journeys
    • Our Sisters in England
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Newsletter
  • Retreats/Guests
    • St. Marguerite's Retreat House
    • Individual Guests
    • Day Groups
  • Donate
    • Supporting CSJB
    • Our Capital Campaign
    • The Nun Better Cookbook
    • Legacy Program
  • Get Involved
    • Associates/Oblates
    • Volunteering
  • Contact
    • Contact CSJB
    • Links
  • DIRECTIONS
    • Driving Directions by Car
    • Public Transportation to the Convent
  • Jobs