Sister Mary Lynne has Returned from

Two Months in Cameroon

Sister Mary Lynne returned to Mendham from Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon on July 22. This orphanage, in the city of Bamenda, was founded by Sr. Jane Mankaa with the help of the Sisters of St. John Baptist. The Board of the Home is pictured above. Sr. Mary Lynne is in the back row and Sr. Jane is in blue in the front row. The Home also has an American Board. Both groups help to guide Sr. Jane in the administration of the Home, which now has 100 children in several locations.

About 30 of the children are in the village of Batibo. Some of these children are handicapped and receive medical care. They are pictured here with Sr. Mary Lynne in their house. All of the children go to school.

At the main Home in Bamenda, Sr. Jane and her Sisters rescue abandoned babies. With nutrition and good medical care, they have a chance at a healthy life.

With support raised by the Sisters of St. John Baptist and local churches in New Jersey, the children enjoy good African-style meals. The Home has extensive gardens, where vegetables are grown. There also are pigs, chickens, and bread made in the outdoor oven.

Esther and Richard enjoy the beach ball brought from America

MORE NEWS from Cameroon will be coming soon!

Welcome to RECENT HAPPENINGS at the Community of St. John Baptist. On this forum, we will include up-to-the minute news of the Sisters and our activities and ministries. Please stay tuned and keep us in your prayers!

Commemoration Day - June 26, 2010

Commemoration Day, a day to celebrate the birth of our Patron Saint, John the Baptist, was attended by about 85 people on a beautiful Saturday morning. The celebrant at the Eucharist was the Rev. Stephen Gerth, Rector of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City. Our deacon was the Rev. Elizabeth Ostuni and the Master of Ceremonies was the Rev. George Bowen, all pictured here at the altar in St. John Baptist Chapel. The preacher was our Superior, the Rev. Sister Eleanor Francis.

Five new Associates were received at the service: The Rev. Deacon Jeanette Hile, Edward Acevedo, Philip Muniz, Alix Weisz, and Mark Trautman. After the service, a luncheon was served on the cloister.

Associates are a part of the Community's wider family, and they help the us in our ministry through prayer and service.

Welcome to RECENT HAPPENINGS at the Community of St. John Baptist. On this forum, we will include up-to-the minute news of the Sisters and our activities and ministries. Please stay tuned and keep us in your prayers!

St. John Baptist School

Reunion Picnic

June 27, 2010

Diane Thorburn, Susan Bernthal, Sr. Barbara Jean, Leslie Crawford-Landos, Patricia (PK) Kendle Davis, Tina Treglia

Margie Watts Hopper, Lynn Wilder Mullin, Kit King Rockwell, Carmen Bowser, Sue, a friend

Cecilia Tatem Small, Leslie Crawford, Karen Cooney Nielsen

Dorothy Keedwell Whiteside, Leslie Crawford-Landos, Patricia Kendle Davis, Sister Eleanor Francis, Charon Rollon (Background: Family members)

Other attendees included Angelica Cascone, Sandy Stenner, Kit King Rockwell, Joan Terwilliger Kevitt, Chris Brodeur MacClellan, Celia Kaltenback Crotteau, Pam Finn Nelon, and Lucy Lanzetti (Faculty). Many family members and friends also attended.

More pictures will be appearing soon on Facebook. Please go to SisterBarbara Jean. (SisterBarbara is one word.)

Daytop Preparatory School Graduation - June 19, 2010

Welcome to RECENT HAPPENINGS at the Community of St. John Baptist. On this forum, we will include up-to-the minute news of the Sisters and our activities and ministries. Please stay tuned and keep us in your prayers!







On June 19, 33 students graduated from Daytop Preparatory School. Sisters Eleanor Francis and Barbara Jean attended the ceremony, and Sr.









Eleanor Francis spoke to the graduating class. Members of the class have plans to attend college or to begin new employment. The Daytop program prepares young people for independence in the adult world. We are proud of the class of 2010 and keep them all in our prayers.








James P. Curtin, Senior Vice President, Executive Director of Daytop, addresses the graduating class.