Society of May - June 2016 hild Cl C Est. 1916 ev st el ri an h d C

A Ce ice ntur Serv y of Society of Cleveland ® Capter & Vere Mission: “To foster a personal love of Christ expressing itself in service for needy children regardless of race, color, or creed.”

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear Christ Child Members, the honor of getting to know so many of you better, I have come to more fully understand the operations of our organization, and I have fallen in love with our mission over and over and over again. The challenges have been lucky to have a president elect, an executive committee, a board, and, in the case of Showcase, a management team, that I trusted and whose hard work, ideas, thoughtful analysis, and support were invaluable. You, the mem children, God. I wish I could thank every one of you personally. You will never know the personal growth that I have experienced as a member of this wonderful organization, and you will never know the privilege I have felt in being your president. Susan Ferraro Smith

anniversaries and all kinds of happy events. All of these are happier reminders that time marches on and the various events good works of the Christ Child Society provide signs of caring to so many who might otherwise lack the little signs of love and caring that so many of us take for granted. We all have many reasons to rejoice at this time of year, and how great it is that we can also help to provide reasons to rejoice for others beside ourselves. Enjoy this beautiful time of year and help others to enjoy it also. Fr. Ralph

Marlen Jewelers has created a beautiful necklace from a 2016-2017 Provisional marquis diamond donated to our Christ Child chapter and Class is Forming the necklace is currently on display and for sale at their store on Detroit Road in Rocky River. If you (or anyone you Please call Annette Gorris or know) is in the market for a beautiful necklace, please stop Carol Janas if you know of a by to see this stunning piece. The proceeds will go toward potential provisional. funding our Merrick House 100th anniversary project. Thanks so much for anything you can do to help us! Society of hild Cl C Est. 1916 ev st el ri an h d C

A C e ent rvic ury of Se

® Centennial Corner January 20, 2016 (St. Rocco Church) April 6 April 30 (St. John Cathedral/The Silver Grille) “White Glove” Event and Reception (Christ Child Society of Cleveland Archives at The Western Reserve Historical Society) June 15 (Shaker Heights Country Club) July 27 Day of Recollection August 2016 (Merrick House - Date TBA) September 7 October 19 (Lakewood) December 3 (Hilton Cleveland Downtown) January 18, 2017 Mass of Thanksgiving (Cathedral of St. )

Need a gift for someone or even yourself? Consider purchasing a 100th Anniversary commemorative apron. Christ Child Society of Cleveland Celebrating 100 Years Est. 1916 We are selling them for $15.00 and will be available at all our events. Can’t wait for the next event? Contact Donna Kelly.

2 Society of hild Cl C Est. 1916 ev st el ri an h d C …always a focus!

A C e ent rvic ury of Se Literacy ® • 1924 – Christ Child opens a library at the Rosemary Home for Crippled Children. • April 1966 – Plan for Action by Citizens in Education (PACE), an organization instrumental in opening libraries in sev eral inner city Cleveland public schools, approaches Christ Child for assistance in doing the same in inner city Catholic • St. Aloysius and St. Agatha. There is a librarian training course at St. John’s College. • March 1967 – PACE requests $5,000 to open a library at School. Members are trained and volunteers work through the summer to get the library ready to open in the September. • 1967 – A relationship is established with Marycrest School, a residential agency serving adolescent girls with behav ioral problems. Christ Child volunteers do not work directly with girls, but purchase and process new books for the • 1970 – Marge Krupansky and Nell Gall create a new library at Parmadale. • • • the students and their needs, know the inventory and can be helpful in all phases of library work.” Since the school has no funds to buy new or replacement books, the Christ Child budget is increased to $2,500. The school’s principal does the actual selection and ordering of both books and supplies. • intellectual disabilities. • members in the library “helps to bring a feeling of caring to those young people who need to know that there are others who are concerned about them.” • • • School in Cleveland. • 2008 – Ascension School merges with St. Patrick School to form West Park Catholic Academy. Christ Child manages the Kindergarten – 3rd grade library at the new school. • 2009 – Parmadale library closes. In response to the strategic plan’s education component, a preschool reading en richment program is developed for Merrick House in Tremont. • 2010 – Due to shrinking enrollment, Immaculate Conception school closes. Christ Child librarians take their expertise 30 blocks east to St. Francis School. • 2011 – Success with Merrick House’s preschool reading enrichment program spearheads the start of another pre school program at Parmadale Head Start. • 2014 – West Park Catholic Academy closes. St. Rocco School welcomes Christ Child librarians with open arms to manage their library.

“The personal element brings true charity into life. The giver and the gift are brought together and the link is the Christ Child.” Mary Virginia Merrick

3 2016 DATES TO REMEMBER ...... May 2 ...... June 15 Day of Recollection ...... July 27 ...... September 7 National Christ Child Society Convention ......

SAVE THE DATE Would you be willing to share the beauty of the Christ Child Society with members of your parish? We are looking to spread the word about the Christ Child So Day o ciety so that we are no longer the “best kept secret” but the “best told story.” We are asking for members to speak at their parishes after Sunday masses. A RecoWednesday,l Julyecti 27, 2016on script will be provided. Contact Susan Ferraro Smith Speaker if you are interested in helping. The Red Wagon Planning Meeting Parmadale Cottage 14 All are welcome to join the planning meeting for the 2016 SAVE THE DATE National Christ Child Society Convention Wagon will take place on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Atlanta, Georgia Many exciting events are being planned. Help is always needed and much appreciated. If you are interested in help ing with the Country Kitchen, Centerpieces, Fashion Show, Marybeth Baucco will be installed as the am at Parmadale Cottage 14. National Christ Child Society President If you have any questions, please contact Mary Graves.

• www.ccdocle.org • • • • Scroll to page 9 to read the article

4 Annual BusinesWednesday, Meeting June 15, 2016& Sping Luncheon Shaker Heights Country Club Annual Business Meeting - 10 a.m. Plan to attend and show your appreciation to the outgoing board for all their hard work and wish the new board success in all their endeavors. *See Reservation Form included in this newsletter for further details. If you have any questions, contact Donna Kelly.

Circle” as we celebrate our 100th Anniversary. The response has been favorable and we are thankful to all who are now part of the “Centennial Circle.” Remember that you will be recognized in the print materials for the Red Wagon

25,000For theB lastl an25 years,kets at least fo oncer 12,500 a month for Lanine monthsye tof esthe year, more than nel receiving blankets. While the overall purpose of this gathering has been to sew the blankets for layettes, on average 100 per month, it has served another equally important also life’s sorrows. Sewing together, laughing together, occasionally crying together, but always coming together to share in the mission of the Christ Child Society. It was also a time when tables were organized to attend Christ Child Society social events, and ride sharing was coordinated so that no one was left out. It may have always seemed to be about the blankets, but it has always been about much more.

After 25 years, Donna has decided that it is time for sewing to be picked up by the hands of some other amazing starting a second group. Donna is looking forward to joining these ladies in their homes to continue sewing and

And Sew it Begins… Anyone interested in sewing please contact Patty Welsh. If you would like to help but don’t sew, we’ll be

5 Congratulations Clas o 2015

women as members of our Christ Child Society. These women spent a year preparing for this day by becoming involved in numerous service projects, hosting a Christmas Party for the St. Philip Head Start children and learning about many virtuous projects and activities. We extend a warm welcome to the class of 2015. Back row: Marsha Gleine Front Row: Caroline Meder, Sue Simon, Marge Ansel, Nancy Salvatore, Denise Knepp, Annette Gorris (chair)

Legacy Luncheon Anniverary Photos

50 years: Patricia Ferry 40 years: Mary Knake, 35 years: Marie Ward, Cathy Fallon, 45 years: 30 years: Marianne Turocy, Mary Ann Petrancek

6 25 years: Pauline Fiegelist, Ruth Graskemper, 20 years:

10 years: Mary Cay McConnell, 5 years: Carol Janas, Cathy Caruso, Teri Moenk, Mirta Szewczyk

Chris Child Society o Cleveland Legacy Membr

7 MemoryRemembance/Endowment Repor St. John Cathedral Mass Deceased and for their families. Timothy Paulus Wednesday, May 25, Noon Richard Giradot Thomas Rhodes Friday, June 24, Noon Timothy Johns Thomas Yates Meg Kirkholder (5) Margaret Zagara regarding deaths of CCS members or their immediate family members. In Our Thoughts Family of Catherine Connelly Donations this report period $1,565.00 $8,236.00 For Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, a card in honor or in mem ory of a designated mother or father can be purchased for $30. Each card states that it provides a layette for a needy newborn. Cards can be mailed either to you or the address of your choice.

Commemorating 100 Years of Service Te 65tSaturday,h S Decembertarl 3, 2016ight Bal Hilton Cleveland Downtown 2016 Person of the Year The Most Reverend Roger W. Gries, O.S.B. • • • If you have any questions please contact Terri Parker or.

8 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

School year ends Thursday, June 2, 2016 Dolores Wiemels Patty Welsh Chagrin Falls Sewing Group Thursday, May 12 Reading Enrichment Donna Kelly Euclid –St. June to identify books in the accelerated Sewing Group Stephanie West reading program. Paula Conrad “My Stuff” Packing Showcase Mary McKown Grandmother’s Program Joan McAuliffe Stephanie West *Contact information can be found in our Chapter roster. Irene Chalko

Please seriously consider assuming a leadership role (as a St. Rocco started an “Accelerated Reading” program on sitions are still open and some chair positions also remain books that are in the program by entering the title of each open. Please contact Janie Nickodem if you have any ques book into a database. If the book is part of the “Accelerated tion or you have an interest in a particular project. Thank you Reading” program it will be labeled with the appropariate sticker. We could use help through the month of June identi fying and labeling the books. Contact Paula Conrad to have your questions answered or to volunteer. Please consider volunteering in the Grandmother’s program and give the little children there your time, care and joy, re When you travel, please save the hotel bar soaps for our “My Stuff” Project. We place one bar of soap in each “My Stuff” visit on any day convenient for you and to begin serving as a Grandmother at Merrick House. “My Stuff” packing (third Monday of the month) or contact 7 and July 5, 19. Contact Stephanie West to sign up.

9 SHOWCASE UPDATE

As of Tuesday, May 3rd, the inspections have taken place, the occupancy inspector has requested a few changes, and our landlord is hopeful that those Mary Virginia changes can be made in one day. If so, it is possible that we will be able to occupy the space by the end of For the past 33 years, our Chapter has recognized the week. As always, however, we will have to wait to oneMe of its ownrri whosec spirit,Awa values,rd and service 2016 ex see how things go . . . . As I told you in my earlier e-mail update, these have that the space would not be ready for the February June 15, 2016. 29th move-in, it was already so close to the move-in Who do you believe is deserving of this award? Who date that we had sold most everything and packed. do you believe has given of herself in the name of Consequently, there was no going back – and the store has been closed longer than the anticipated two the Christ Child Society of Cleveland, either publicly weeks. in the “front lines” or quietly and consistently “be hind the scenes?” Please consider nominating the But, the space looks complete, and with the news member you believe deserves this special recog about the occupancy inspection, we are certainly much nition. Your nomination is important...your opinion closer to move-in than we once were (and every time matters...your thoughts count! we are in the space, we get very excited because we like it very much). Please know that I am doing everything I know to words of encouragement, your prayers, and your Please include your nominee’s name and why you continued dedication to all that we do. Call me if you have any questions at all; I would be happy to talk with by May 15, 2016. For a list of past recipients, please Susan have any questions or need additional information contact Cathy Caruso. Enjoy a tour of Slovenia and Croatia with Fr. Ralph Wiat 6753 State Road rowski (Christ Child Spiritual Advisor) and Fr. Daniel Schle formation about the tour can be found at www.magitravelinc. PHOTOS NEEDED…

We will be producing a book of our history culminating with our 2016 year of celebration and we need your Photos from past Christ Child events or activities. If possible submit the photos in electronic form. Photos of our 100th Anniversary events. When you attend any of our 100th Anniversary events, please take photos. Most of us have a camera in our phone. Put them to good use. Send photos to in the photos. Photos will be returned.

10 Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Sping Luncheon Shaker& An Heights nCountryua Clubl Busines Meeting If you have any questions, contact Donna Kelly.

Reservation & Payment Deadline: Friday, June 3, 2016 ______Tickets @ $35 each ______Silver Patron Tickets @ $50 each ($20 tax deductible) ______Gold Patron Tickets @ $75 each ($45 tax deductible) ______I cannot attend but would like to make a donation of $ ______ ______

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Seating Requests (Tables of 8)

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4. ______ ______ I have no seating preference I prefer the vegetarian option MasterCard American Express Discover ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 11 Society of hild Cl C Est. 1916 ev st el ri an h d C A C e ent rvic ury of Se PAID ® Capter & Vere ...... President Christ Child Society ...... President-Elect of Cleveland ...... Service VP c/o Parmadale, 6753 State Road, Parma, OH 44134 ...... ...... Recording Secretary ...... Corresponding Secretary ...... Financial Secretary ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ...... Endowment/Remembrance ...... DATED MATERIAL: ...... Spiritual Advisor Please direct questions, information & articles to: Robbie Wolan,

National Christ Child Society, Inc.