UPDATES FROM THE SISTERS - september 2022

O Lord, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom you have made them all;

The earth is full of your creatures. 

Psalm 104: 25

A graceful little fawn
Photo by Sister Margo Elizabeth
​

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROFESSION,
​SISTER VICTORIA MICHELLE

Sister Victoria with her anniversary cake. (Click on any photo to enlarge)

On September 29, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Profession in Life Vows of Sister Victoria Michelle. She is a blessing to CSJB not only for her devotion to God and her positive energy, but also for her many ministries. She regularly hosts retreats, preaches, makes beautiful rosaries and jewelry, and volunteers at shelters and soup kitchens. Sister Victoria has a huge heart for ministry. She is always looking for more ways to serve. She is also a Certified Nursing Assistant and an outstanding sacristan. 

Please join us in giving thanks, and in praying for our beloved Sister.

BLESS THIS SEPTIC!

(L to R) Sister Victoria Michelle, the Rev. John Beddingfield, Sr. Linda Clare, Sr. Eleanor Francis, Sr. Mary Lynne, CSJB staff member Donna McKenzie, Sr. Pamela, and Jennie during the septic tank blessing.

When our Community Pastor, the Rev. John Beddingfield, visited us Sept. 6-8 we asked him for a special favor – would he bless our new septic system for us? Father Beddingfield said yes without hesitation and then suddenly realized that there isn’t exactly a standard septic blessing service in our esteemed Episcopal tradition. Undaunted, he put together a lovely service of blessing with somewhat hilariously appropriate scripture passages. CLICK HERE if you’d like to read our septic blessing. Holy water was solemnly sprinkled, prayers were said, and the septic received its blessing to take over from our 114-year-old terra cotta and wooden system. 

We are still looking for kindhearted donors to cover the remaining $50,000 in additional costs that suddenly materialized at the end of the project.

​If you would like to contribute to the final cost, we would be extremely grateful. Just contact our Business Manager Darren Somerville at [email protected] or call him at 973-543-4641 ext. 0 if you’d like to help.

Sister Monica Clare and the Rev. John Beddingfield at the septic blessing. Photo by Sr. Pamela

​SISTERS AT THE ALL SAINTS RUMMAGE SALE

L to R: Sister Pamela and Sister Deborah Francis at the Blessings to Go booth at the All Saints, Millington Rummage Sale.

Shoppers hunting for bargains at the All Saints Rummage Sale

On September 24, Sister Deborah Francis, Sister Pamela and Sister Monica Clare provided “Blessings to Go” at the annual Rummage Sale for All Saints, Millington.

The fundraising event is held in late September each year, and proceeds benefit the ministries of All Saints. For the past few years, CSJB Sisters have been happy to sit at a booth during the event and pray with anyone who drops by. We always have a great time at the rummage sale, and we never fail to make new friends.

The sale includes housewares, furniture, sporting goods, children’s toys, baked goods, and many other top-quality items. It is a time-honored tradition and attracts hundreds of shoppers.

All Saints parishioners Heather Ingram and (CSJB Associate) Carol Berry at the Rummage Sale baked goods booth.

THE REV. VALERIE BONHAM

Our longtime friend, the Rev. Valerie Bonham, is visiting us at the Convent until October 6. Valerie is a priest in the Church of England as well as an historian and author, and she has written five books about CSJB: A Joyous Service, A Place in Life, Sisters of the Raj, Living Stones: the Community of St. John Baptist in America 1874-1939, and The Second Spring: the Community of St. John Baptist in America 1940-2020. The peer-reviewed journal Anglican & Episcopal History just published a glowing review of The Second Spring in its September 2022 issue.

The Rev. Valerie Bonham is always happy to celebrate mass for us when she visits.

Valerie lives in Wells, Somerset, UK and is retired from parish ministry, but she still celebrates mass at Wells Cathedral where she is also a voluntary chaplain. She is currently working on a biography of our co-founder, the Rev. Canon Thomas Thelluson Carter. Because of the difficulty of travel during the pandemic, Valerie has not been able to make her usual annual visit to us in three years. We are all so happy to welcome her back and we look forward to reading her new book when it is published.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME FOR CHILDREN
IN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

Gilbert (R) with his
Mother Jane Legacy Foundation team

Akwa Gilbert, the first baby that Sister Jane Mankaa took in at the Good Shepherd Home, is now a doctor with a degree in microbiology from the University of Bamenda.
 
Just like all the children raised by “Mama Jane,” Gilbert has a deep faith in God and he longs to make a difference in the world. In this spirit, he says “I am glad to announce that I have started a foundation named Mother Jane Legacy Foundation in honor of my mother Rev. Mama Jane Mankaa.” The Foundation seeks to bring medical care to orphans and vulnerable children in deeply impoverished regions of Cameroon.  Gilbert’s team provides lifesaving care which is needed more than ever due to the ongoing Cameroonian Civil War.

Gilbert reports: “With the little resources we have in place; my team and I have accomplished many goals. Our Motto is: ‘Yes, it's Possible’. This is in line with my own story as a street child to the theater as a medical doctor all thanks to you, my mothers [Mother Jane and Sister Mary Lynne]. I want my Mother’s story and legacy to live on throughout Cameroon. People need to know who and what she was, a true definition of a Mother.”
 
To learn more, go to www.mjlegacyfoundation.org.
Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/MotherJaneLegacyfoundation

If you'd like to help the children of the Good Shepherd Home, please contact us at [email protected] or CLICK HERE.
​

A banner listing the goals of the Mother Jane Legacy Foundation

A Mother Jane Legacy Foundation team member teaching residents of the Banso area about diabetes and hypertension.

 A Mother Jane Legacy Foundation team member providing basic healthcare to a Banso area resident.

PRESIDING BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY’S
​AGRARIAN MINISTRIES TEAM VISITS CSJB'S GARDEN OF HOPE
​From CSJB Associate Julie Crawford

​On August 29, CSJB welcomed five members of the Episcopal Church’s Creation Care Agrarian Ministries Team from the office of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to learn about our Garden of Hope.

​The Creation Care team members attended evening prayer in the Chapel of St Marguerite's Retreat House with Sisters, volunteers, and friends, then enjoyed a meet and greet in our garden space. 

Brian Sellers (Standing, L) addressing guests at the Creation Care gathering on August 29.

​Creation Care Agrarian Ministries Team members who attended are:

• Jerusalem Greer - Staff Officer for Evangelism for the Presiding Bishop
• Phoebe Chatfield, Program Officer for Creation Care and Justice - Office of the Presiding Bishop, Founder of Podcast  SpadeSpoonSoul
• Sarah Alphin - Program Officer for Evangelism, Creation Care, and Reconciliation, Office of Presiding Bishop
• Brian Sellers-Petersen - Coordinator, Good News Gardens, Office of the Presiding Bishop, Founder of Podcast SpadeSpoonSoul
• Charlotte Hand Greeson - Consultant, Good News Gardens, Office of the Presiding Bishop and Member of LifeLong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary

Sister Linda Clare leading visitors through the Garden of Hope at CSJB

The Garden of Hope has captured the attention of the Creation Care Team as a Good News Gardens model because if its success in creating community connections. 

​Through collective partnerships and resources, the Garden has been renovated with three primary goals: increase of the yield of fresh vegetables, creation of a pollinator plot, and creation of sacred space for community use. 

The Good News Gardens program is part of the Agrarian Ministries Creation Care initiative begun by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry which began two years ago and has grown steadily across North America.

Partners and resources for the Garden of Hope include Brookside Community Church, St Mark’s Episcopal Church, The Church of the Messiah, The Sharing Project, Grow It Green, The Sisters of Charity, Flags of Gratitude, and members of Boy Scout Troop 1 - including two Eagle Scout projects.  Produce from the garden is provided to local and regional food pantries, Chester Area Senior Housing, and is used for meals at Homeless Solutions.

Petersen, Geer, and Greeson are published authors who serve the Episcopal Church in many roles.  In his book Harvesting Abundance: Local Initiatives of Food and Faith, Brian Sellers Peterson reminds us that as Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the land and to share its produce.  His book shares how congregations, schools, and organizations across the Episcopal Church are reaching out to their neighborhoods to share God's story of abundance through a variety of agricultural initiatives, offering inspiration to all of us to nurture our own relationship with our creator--and with each other--by planting a garden and feeding the hungry. 

​Greeson is involved with Building Faith whose mission is to equip and inspire churches and individuals for the ministry of Christian education and faith formation.  Geer’s work focuses primarily on the Christian theology of place as it is expressed in both daily and congregational life including her work At Home in This Life: Finding Peace at the Crossroads of Unraveled Dreams and Beautiful Surprises.​

Guests assembling for Evening Prayer at the Creation Care gathering

Sr. Monica Clare and Brian Sellers in the Garden of Hope

Sharing Project leader Emily Borinshteyn (L) with Phoebe Chatfield from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Agrarian Ministries Team.

Since the tour, Peterson and Geer have reached out to CSJB Associate Julie Crawford and Superior Sr Monica Clare to appear on their podcast SpadeSpoonSoul to share stories about the Garden.  The Community is exploring ways to create a sacred space next to the Garden of Hope for Sharing Circles.

Any group or individuals interested in the Good News Garden movement or Agrarian Ministry opportunities can contact Sister Linda Clare at the Convent at [email protected] for more information about how you can transform your land to serve others and all of God's creation.
View the Garden of Hope and Its in Action
View the Evening Prayer Program with The Creation Care Team
More Information on Creation Care Initiatives
More Information on Agrarian Ministries
More Information on Good News Gardens
Good News Garden Monthly Webinars

SISTERS AT THE BISHOP’S LUNCHEON

Representatives from CAROA and NAECC Communities with bishops and diocesan staff at the Bishops Luncheon on September 26.

Sister Monica Clare and Sister Pamela both attended the Bishop’s Luncheon on September 27 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Each year the Bishop of New York invites representatives from vowed and dispersed religious communities to break bread, exchange ideas, and share fellowship. Even though CSJB no longer has a branch house in New York, Bishop Andrew Dietsche still invites us because of our long history of ministry in the city as well as our continued connections with bishops and clergy there. Communities represented at this year’s luncheon included the Chemin Neuf (an ecumenical community in residence at the Cathedral), The Community of the Holy Spirit, the Rivendell Community, the Order of the Holy Cross, the Brotherhood of St. Gregory, the Community of Francis and Clare, and the Society of St. Margaret. Members of the diocesan staff, as well as Bishop Dietsche, Bishop Mary Glasspool, and Bishop Allen Shin were also in attendance. We give special thanks to Gloria Fitzgerald, The Rev. Canon John Perris, Melissa Lopez-Sanchez, and all the diocesan staff who organized the luncheon and made it such a lovely event. 
​

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

Several CSJB Sisters participated in the International Day of Peace event on September 21 at the Chester, NJ gazebo.

The International Day of Peace was started in 1981 by the United Nations. The theme of this year’s events, held around the world, was “End racism. Build peace.” Speakers at the Chester event included Sister Victoria Michelle, Deacon Frank Owens (St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church,) CSJB Associate Dave Sullivan (the Church of the Messiah.) Dr. Ali Chaudry (Islamic Society of Basking Ridge,) Rabbi Robert Green (Congregation B’Nai Israel,) Father Owen Moran (St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church,) and Pastor Chris Scrivens (Community Presbyterian Church.) Sister Monica Clare offered one of the opening prayers, and Sister Deborah Francis and Sister Linda Clare also attended.

​The program for the event can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. A video of the entire event can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
​

L to R: Sr. Deborah Francis, Sr. Linda Clare, and Deacon Frank Owens at the International Day of Peace event 

Sister Victoria Michelle speaking at the International Day of Peace

CSJB SEARCHER MARY CINADR

Mary Cinadr, who attended our August Search Program on Zoom, decided to come live and pray with the Sisters for two weeks in September. Mary is a writer, and while she was with us from September 11-25, she wrote a meditation on her experience. CLICK HERE to read the meditation.
 
Mary founded the Circle of Writers, which offers memoir writing workshops and coaching. She has worked in advertising and teaching and served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay for three years.  She also leads the Campfire Creative organization.
We all enjoyed having Mary with us, and we ask your prayers for her and all our other Searchers as they discern God’s call in their lives.

​

Searcher Mary Cinadr at CSJB

HOMELESS SOLUTIONS OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES: MEALS AND GIFTS

Sister Victoria Michelle continues to join members of the Church of Messiah to serve dinners at Homeless Solutions in Morristown on a regular basis. 

​Donations of fresh produce from CSJB’s Garden of Hope as well as from Alstede Farms offset the cost of meals. 
 
CSJB will also support the upcoming Messiah Angel Tree drive to support children at Homeless Solutions’ 85-bed shelter and in their transitional housing by knitting hats and scarves.

View the Homeless Solution Newsletter
More About Homeless Solutions
How You Can Help Homeless Solutions
​

Sr Victoria cooks with Messiah member Melinda Marquis, volunteer Catherine Segal, and Associate Julie Crawford in the new kitchen at Homeless Solutions.

​DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE

Dances of Universal Peace in the Main Chapel September 11

On September 11, the Dances of Universal Peace met in the CSJB Main Chapel for chant, movement, scripture, and poetry.

The group, led by André Bernard (Uwais), Mariam (Beth) Rodger, and Dahlia Cabe, provide this spiritual practice of movement on a monthly basis, and they have been coming to CSJB for many years. The next Dances will be on October 9 at the Convent from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

​If you’d like to register for the event or find out more information, please contact the Dances of Universal Peace organizers at:
André Bernard (Uwais) — [email protected],
Mariam (Beth) Rodger — [email protected],
Dahlia Cabe — [email protected]

ST. MARGUERITE’S RETREAT HOUSE

It’s been another busy month at the Retreat House. We welcomed several groups, including St. Paul’s Carroll Street in Brooklyn (where Sister Monica will be preaching Oct. 16,) the diocesan staff of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and the Christ’s Church choir.  Retreat House Manager Brad Kalos says “It was our pleasure to host a retreat for the choir of Christ’s Church, Rye. Their Director of Music, Dr. Evelyn DeGraf, led rehearsals on the labyrinth and in the Main Chapel. Christ’s Church in Rye, New York, was established in 1695 and is one of the oldest parishes in the United States.”  Dr. DeGraf is also the Artistic Director of the Ghost Light Chorus, an internationally acclaimed chamber choir which holds retreats at St. Marguerite’s.

The diocese of Central New York also held its staff retreat at St. Marguerite's Sept. 25-27. Brad says "​It is always an honor to host The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe.  Also in attendance were The Rev. Canon Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, The Rev. Canon Tom Ferguson, Kathy Dengler, Program Coordinator & Secretary of Convention and Cathy Hobart, Controller."

The Christ's Church, Rye choir in the Main Chapel at CSJB

The Christ's Church, Rye choir singing at the labyrinth outside St. Marguerite's
​

The Trinity Episcopal Church (Cranford) Vestry on retreat with The Rev. Andrew David Kruger (Father Andy).
​
​

Central New York Diocesan staff retreat group at St. Marguerite's with The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe (center.)

CSJB BIRDWATCHING

Our friend Chris Neff, an accomplished wildlife photographer who is the Director of Communications for the New Jersey Audubon Society, sometimes visits our campus alone or in groups to birdwatch. This month he captured these beautiful images of a chestnut-sided warbler and of a merlin, which is part of the falcon family. Chris says: “This is what keeps me out there - looking for wildlife really is a treasure hunt, especially during fall migration.”
 
You can see more of Chris’ stunning wildlife photography on his Instagram page at www.instagram.com/neffisms.

Chestnut-sided warbler at CSJB. Photo by Chris Neff

Chestnut-sided warbler at CSJB. Photo by Chris Neff

Merlin near the cemetery at CSJB. Photo by Chris Neff

Merlin near the cemetery at CSJB. Photo by Chris Neff

Chestnut-sided warbler at CSJB. Photo by Chris Neff

​
​WELCOMING THE TOWNSHIP ARCHIVES

The Mendham Municipal Building is being renovated over the next year, so the Mendham Township Historic Preservation Committee asked CSJB if we’d be willing to lend them a space while their offices are remodeled.

​We happily agreed, and now the Township archives have been moved to our upper sacristy space in the Main Chapel. Historic Committee members can now curate and manage their collection here, and they have an amazing scanner that can capture images in a split second.

Mendham Township Historic Committee member Helen D. Wall  (L) and Robin Johnston with their scanner in the upper sacristy at CSJB.
​

Archivist Helen D. Wall

The Committee members have also generously offered to help with scanning some of the CSJB archives. Committee Chair Melissa Saharko says “Since CSJB is the largest historic site in the Mendhams, we know how much you appreciate preserving not just the buildings and property of the Convent and Retreat Center, but its rich history as well.”

We are so glad to have the Township archives here at CSJB, and we look forward to collaborating with the Committee for the coming year.
​

SUPPORTING ALL THE WAY UP ADULT EDUCATION AND THE SHANI BARAKA WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER 
​From CSJB Associate Julie Crawford

Sister Victoria Michelle recently collected office supplies and notebooks for donation to  All the Way Up Adult Education and the Shani Baraka Women's Resource Center in Newark. All The Way Up was founded by a think-tank of community and faith-based organizations and parishes as a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, called Newark Shared Ministries. However, since formalizing as a 501(c)(3) in 2018, All the Way Up has operated as an independent secular nonprofit.  They have 40 wonderful, volunteer tutors, two staff, three GED instructors, and several consultants who come from a variety of backgrounds: retired educators, students at NJIT, Rutgers-Newark Business School and Medical School, working professionals, and others who want to give back to the community.

Sister Victoria Michelle organizing donated supplies for All the Way Up

All The Way Up Adult Education Center empowers adult learners in Newark, NJ and greater Essex County through individualized training in GED/HSE Test Preparation, Adult Basic Education (ABE), and Job Readiness Skills. We partner with community organizations, granters, and individual donors to directly improve the educational outcomes of our students throughout Essex County,
 
Currently All the Way Up operates at two sites in Newark including the Women’s Resource Center and now offers classes virtually on-line. The Shani Baraka Women's Resource Center provides free programs and services on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Mental Health, HIV/AIDS & Child Abuse including on-site accesss to All the Way Up Volunteers.   If interested in volunteering  or to provide donations contact All the Way Up Volunteers or All the Way Up Donations
​

SERMONS

Sister Monica Clare preached at All Saints Millington on Sept. 18. A video of the service can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
 
Sister Eleanor Francis preached at the Convent on Sept. 25. Her sermon can be read HERE.
 
Our Sisters preach regularly at the Convent and in parishes. If you’d like to ask a Sister to preach or lead a retreat at your church, please contact Sister Monica Clare at [email protected].
​

Sister Monica Clare preaching at All Saints Millington on Sept. 18

ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

Sister Eleanor Francis meeting with CSJB Oblates on the cloister Sept. 10

The next Oblate’s retreat will be Oct. 22 from 10am-12 noon. Please contact Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected] to register.
 
We give thanks to CSJB Associate Dave Sullivan for organizing the International Day of Peace event in Chester September 21.

CSJB Associate Janet Maulbeck, Executive Director of Interweave, gave us a great quote during our monthly zoom prayers: “I want to give thanks for all the billions of ways that God is holding things together…
ways that we cannot possibly imagine.” – Janet Maulbeck

If you’d like to learn more about becoming an Associate or Oblate, please contact Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected].
​

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMS
From Celia Kaltenbach-Crotteau

“The Class of 1972 is ready to celebrate its 50th. Did we really graduate half a century ago? Yep. That rates a celebration. I will be up in that part of the country then, plan to attend, and hope to see many other classmates with whom I shared my youth - even though I never looked as good as any of those girls in the photo Jane posted! I know that Chris Brodeur-Macclellan has already reached out with specific details.”
 
Class of 1972 and all other SJBS alumnae can contact their classmates on the St. John Baptist School Facebook page. 

Members of the St. John Baptist School class of 1972

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 as a printed book and e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other booksellers.
 
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.
Valerie Bonham's five other books about the Community can be ordered From Amazon by CLICKING HERE.

​

Sister Margo Elizabeth’s book Not Just an Ordinary Pony is now available from many booksellers online. 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.

You may purchase Not Just an Ordinary Pony at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and others.

​

From Generation to Generation: Essays by Children of Holocaust Survivors was recently published by the Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study. It is a compilation of eleven essays written by ten second-generation Holocaust survivors. Sr. Eleanor Francis, CSJB is one of the writers.

​There are currently a limited number of books available. The cost is $15, plus shipping.
If you would like to purchase a copy, please contact Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected].

​

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
​Rabbi Deb Smith and Sister Eleanor Francis will take up the class again for the fall on September 9. The hours are 10:30 to 11:30. It is an interfaith study. All are welcome. In the fall our topic will be “The Sermon on the Mount” from both a Jewish and Christian standpoint.  We can take a few more members but expect homework! 

​If you think you may be interested, please contact Sr. Eleanor Francis at
[email protected]
​or phone 973-543-4649 ex. 3. ​

​

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
October 9 from 2:00 PM -4:00 PM

Rejuvenate your spirit and open your heart with sacred circle dancing and joyous group singing honoring the world's mystical traditions. No musical or dance experience of any kind required. Enjoy the peace and renewal of the Dances safely on the beautiful grounds of the convent. André Bernard is a certified leader of Dances of Universal Peace.​

This event is a fair weather only event.     
To register, email André Bernard at [email protected],

To learn more about the Dances of Universal Peace, go to: www.nynjzoomdupeace.mailchimpsites.com
​or www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org

​

JOIN US FOR PRAYER ON ZOOM
Friday October 14
​10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern time.
​ALL ARE WELCOME

Join us on the 2nd Friday of each month for informal intercessory prayers to give us strength and hope during these trying times.  We begin with a check-in time of 10:15am Eastern and praying starts at 10:30am. A special thanks to Interweave for the use of their online platform.

Please email Oblate Pat McKenzie for the Zoom info. at:
[email protected]

​

"MEDITATIONS ON THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - THEN AND NOW"
CSJB Associates Program on Zoom
Saturday, October 22
10am - 12noon
​Led by
Fr. Jim Warnke

Please register to obtain Zoom invitation by sending a check for $50 (or whatever you can afford) to
Community of St. John Baptist
​Attn:  Sr. Eleanor Francis - Email: [email protected]

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING: 3RD ANNUAL COMMUNITY
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Sundays 12-2PM - November 6, 13, 20
Hilltop House 14 Hilltop Road, Mendham NJ 07945

This year we'll once again be collecting frozen turkeys, canned goods, and other items to help families in need enjoy a happy Thanksgiving. 

The event is sponsored by Brookside Community Church, UCC, Community of St. John Baptist, Grace Lutheran Church, Hilltop Presbyterian Church, Mendham United Methodist Church, and St. Mark's Episcopal Church.


CSJB Sisters will be there November 13 to help collect donations. For more info. contact Russ Hall at [email protected]
​

CONCERT AT THE CONVENT
Save the Date - November 20 Time - TBD

Our Concerts at the Convent series returns for the first time in-person since 2019! Sylvia Rubin and the Adelphi Orchestra will present an evening of world-class chamber music on November 20 in the magnificent acoustics of our Main Chapel.

Stay tuned for announcements on specifics.
​

CELTIC JOURNEYS
Due to the pandemic, many of our 2022 Celtic Journeys were canceled, but Please see our trips for 2023!
 
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: [email protected]
​​

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,

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

Embroidered angels made by CSJB Sisters in 1914 for Trinity Wall Street, recently restored and placed in the funeral chapel there. by ecclesiastical embroidery restoration expert Steven Leavitt. Photo by Steven Leavitt
​

Alison
​Andy
Annette
Anthony
Aurora
Autumn
Barbara
Bill and Carol
​Brian
Carolyn
Chase
Cheryl
Chris
The Clewer Initiative
Sam and her children
Claire
Daniel
Dean
Diane
​Donna
Doug
​Ella
Ellen
​Elsie
Erin
The Flood family
Greg and Pat
Gretchen
Heather
Honor
Hugh
India
Ingrid
Jack Grier's family
James

Janet
J​arad and Monica
Jason
Jay
Jean
Jeanette
Jeff and his children
Jennifer
Jess
Jessica and Brendan
Jim
Joanna
Joseph
John
John and Family
Jon
Joyce
Judith
Juli and family
Julian
Kamala
Kathleen
Karen
Lana
Larry and his daughter
​Leanne
Lee
Linda and Paul
Linda Lee
Lisa
Margaret
Margaret and family
​Maria
​Marne
​Matthew

Maureen and Donald
McGrath family
Meg
Michael
Michelle
Mossman​, Jr.
Myles
Myram
Nicole
Nikki
Norman
Pat and Ellie
Patrick
Patty
Phoebe
Rayvon and Beth
Rebecca and her family
River
Rob
Salma
Sarah
Shane
​Shaun and family
Sheila
Sister Barbara Jean
Stephanie
Sully
Susan and family
Suzanne
Tiffany
Tom
Tommy
The Trout Family
The Van Dine Family
Virginia
Warren

We pray especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed.
​

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO

All who have given so generously to our ministries.
​
All who have contributed to the children of the Good Shepherd Home,

All who have contributed time, talent, and donations to help reopen our retreat house.
 
Our many helpers, volunteers, and those who encourage us,

All who work for justice, freedom, and peace throughout the world.

The clergy who generously donate their time to celebrate mass in our chapel

Sister Pamela and Jennie in the Mendham Labor Day parade. Photo by David Unger.

Magdalena Aders
Peter J. Arney and George W. Jordan III
​Kathleen Shea Aregood
Donna Aubel
Barbara Barbeau
MaryJane Boland
Joe Boney
Christine Brodeur
Chris Chrystal and Myram Borders
Julie Crawford
Rosemary DaCuna
Hans Dekker and the Hyde and Watson Foundation
Rosina B. Dixon
Margaret Dohnalek
Mary Donovan
Gerrie Dressler
Lorraine Emanuel
Kay & Frank Failla
Joanne Foster
Susan Fuller and family
Mayor Christine Glassner
Bill and Gay Grier
The Rev. Deacon Cathy Brunson
In memorium, Elizabeth S. Halpin

Jane Hayden
​Margaret Johnson
Bradley Kalos
Judi Kerr
The Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby and family
Linda Lee Mundy
Janet Maulbeck and Interweave
Patrice and Doug McKenzie
Jane and Peter Mercer
Connie Moore
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
Juli Towell
Myles Varley
​Nick Vytell
Alix Weisz
Joannah Wilmerding

The DCLM Fund
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

Rose in the kitchen garden at the Convent.
​

​Because the pandemic suspended our ministry of hospitality for 19 months we, like many nonprofits, are 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

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.

Jennie, Sister Eleanor Francis, and Sister Pamela on the cloister