March/April 2017

ChristC Childapter Society & of V Clevelandere

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, March is a great month for our chapter. We celebrate our past while we honor the anniversaries of 86 members, we celebrate our present as we install our 21 provisionals as members, and we look to the future as we have our Provisional Informational Coffee. We have traditionally held our Provisional Installation Mass and Legacy Luncheon in March. This celebration is held around the 25th of the month, because our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, established that date as Founder’s Day to honor the Annunciation of our Lord, the Christ Child. This year, the Installation Mass and Legacy Luncheon will be held on March 22. that in describing the process of bringing members into our chapter! We can only hope that if asked, each provisional learned to use their talents in different ways, and perhaps found out how much their giving helps not only the little ones who need so much, but also helps their fellow members. All our anniversary/legacy members came into our Christ Child Society provisionally, and over the years they not only have changed personally, but they certainly have changed our chapter and helped change the lives of those we serve. Welcome to our 21 newest members, and may you have many anniversary years to come. To our anniversary celebrants, we thank you for your service! Janie Nickodem

Lent and Easter always remind us that we are a part of the history of Salvation. It is not just historic events that we recall and commemorate during this special time, but we are reminded that everything that Jesus did, he did for US. Even though we have come into being almost 2,000 years after the events we commemorate, it is through the wonder of the liturgy that for a moment time stands still and you and I become participants in the Last Supper, we stand under the Cross with Mary and John and we are also witnesses at the empty tomb. By the power and the wonder of God we are participants and not simply bystanders in the history of Salvation. Lent and Easter is the perfect time for all of us to revel in the love of God and thank God for loving us so much! A blessed Lent and a Happy Easter! Fr. Ralph 2017 DATES TO REMEMBER

Provisional Informational Coffee ...... March 15 Provisional Installation Mass/Legacy Luncheon ...... March 22 Spring Luncheon ...... June 14 Day of Recollection (St. Barnabas Church) ...... July 26

SHOWCASE BAG SALE AND SPRING CHANGEOVER shelves, and decorating. Lunch will be provided and double time will be given for your volunteer hours worked during this time. To schedule any of these dates, please contact Joan McAuliffe, Scheduling Chairman or Pat Givens, Showcase Chairman. Thank You

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES March, April & May 2017

Layette Packing Highland Heights Sewing Group Parmadale Head Start Reading Enrichment Note: The day changed to the 1st Thurs. Sue Simon or Marlene Suchma Donna Kelly Patty Welsh St. Francis Library Euclid –St. John of the Cross Independence Sewing Group Sewing Group Irene Fitzgerald Laura Cengic St. Rocco Library Mary McKown Merrick House Pre-School Paula Conrad Grandmother’s Program Merrick House Reading Enrichment Showcase Kathy Yoakum Heights-St. Dominic Sewing Group Kathy Yoakum Joan McAuliffe “My Stuff” Packing Irene Chalko *Contact information can be found in our Chapter roster. Rose Dziak

2 - WE NEED YOU -

A great opportunity for members who have computer skills St. Francis Library or basic computer/document editing and updating skills. contact Irene Fitzgerald for additional information. • CCS of CLE Facebook Page Manager St. Rocco Library h Noon. We are looking for ladies who would be interested in • CCS of CLE Google Calendar Manager volunteering one Monday a month. Please contact Paula Conrad for additional information. • assist with website management and updates) Contact Terri Parker for details.

Please consider volunteering in the Grandmother’s program Sue and give the little children there your time, care and joy, re Simon with the dates and times you would like to read. Please note as we head into the winter months that the of God’s little ones. Contact Kathy Yoakum Head Start program follows the snow day closings for the visit on any day convenient for you and to begin serving as a Cleveland schools. Grandmother at Merrick House.

Service Chairman Please contact Kate Johns if you have any special needs or volunteer requests for the newsletter. Articles are due on the 10th of every even numbered month.

News from the Board Meeting…

Some board members will be meeting with board members from the other 6 Ohio chapters in March to share ideas. A fundraising Idea Session is open to all members to share thoughts and ideas about our Red Wagon and Starlight Ball (see article in this newsletter) In hopes of promoting literacy by getting books into the home, the Board has approved a pilot program to begin in the fall at the Parmadale Headstart (wherever it is located). In addition to the book or books chosen by the the child will be given the book to keep. After enjoying the social gatherings of our Anniversary year, ideas are being sought for another gathering for this year We are hoping to secure a date in July at St. Barnabas for our Day of Recollection Ideas for increasing revenue at Showcase were discussed. We are looking to see if there are members willing restaurants with promotional coupons. Churches in the area will receive a short article with a coupon promotion, and local newspapers will be solicited to publish an article

3 Save the date for Spring Luncheon and Business Meeting. Westwood Country Club 22625 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116

Remembance/Endowment Repor Memory In Our Thoughts Donald Chambers (2) Hermine Cech (20) Edward Doyle Rudy Gerace Larry Hogan Denise Kane John McDevitt Martha Mizek Honor Margarete Noeth (5) Jean Boldt Sandy Pawlowski Priscilla and Chet Gale Joan Pesta Elizabeth Kraus Alice Reime Robert J. Roche Ron Sager St. John Cathedral Mass Wally Votteler For Christ Child Members, Living and Connie Zamiska Deceased and for their families. Friday, March 24, Noon Tuesday, April 25, Noon of CCS members or their immediate family members. Thursday, May 25, Noon Christ Child Society c/o Parmadale Cleveland, Ohio 44102 $11,885.00 Abby Sammon

4 YEARS TO CELEBRATE The following Members are Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries this Year.

You ATo anr Informational Cordal Coffeey Invited Congratulations! Hosted by the 65 Years 20 Years Christ Child Society of Cleveland Angela Kilroy Kathy A. Blough 60 Years Ruth Dashner Julie Schmidlin Janeen Frank Kathleen Markee Christ Child Society of Cleveland 50 Years Mary Louise Wichmann Dorothy A. Coerdt Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Julie DeBaggis 15 Years Erleen Ludwig Melanie Close Please RSVP by March 10, 2017 Adele Malley Olga Corrigan Josephine C. McGinnis Rosalie DeBlase Carol Janas Marilyn Deliberato [email protected] 45 Years Patricia Intili Judy Dunchack Judith McGunagle or Marilyn Hogan Frances Mihna Winifred Johnson Joyce Linton Linda Reardon Evelyn Kondas Alice A. Symons [email protected] Joellen C. O’Neill 10 Years 40 Years Gail Capuano Beatrice L. Moore Andrea Dean Mary Lou Weaver Mary Fergus 35 Years Lynne Gerace Kathe Bartel Dena R. Heim Mary Breen Bernardine Kaniecki Rosemary English Mary Masterson Diane K. Kosman Helen A. Mikel Margaret Lynch Monica Thomas Maureen Mason 5 Years FUNDRAISING IDEA SESSION Barbara Miller Angela Antonelli Julie Paulus Paula Binder Calling all members to come with ideas, com Elsa M. Pavlik Jane S. Blahovec ments, suggestions about our two biggest Alberta Ricciardi Alice M. Brown Patricia D. Schrader Margo Cengic 30 Years Barbara Duda Wagon Luncheon. Did you work on either Judy Fitzmaurice of these in the past and could give some Patricia Coviello Flora DeCrane Jeanette Gabele historical perspective? Have you been to Julia Kodish Donna Gigliotti similar events and would like to share ideas? Marlene Lentz Patricia Givens All ideas and members welcome. Come Kate Myers Mary Haggard Patricia Neff Betsy Heil one, come all....and bring a fellow member! Rose Ann Heineman Refreshments will be provided. Joyce Page Arlene Platten Julie A. Jerdonek Kate Johns 25 Years Karen Kirk Karen Argie Mary Monaghan Terese Blaha Maire Shuster Eileen Blanch Miss Judy Sperli Contact Janie Nickodem if Jean Canestraro Michele Sumner interested in attending. Ann Geib Lauren Walsh Peggy Harrison Kathy Yoakum Alice A. Lang Joanne Scaminace 5 MASS OF THANKSGIVING A Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the close of our 100th Anniversary year was held at the Cathedral of St. John the members and friends. Due to the recent retirement of Bishop Lennon, our own Fr. Ralph was the celebrant. respect for all human life. He reminded us that as Christ Child Society ladies we serve children in need in practical ways. He noted that our care for children has been constant for a century, and he said we are “content to do this simple work the Christ Child ladies, in our concern for others over our own interests and desires. After the Mass, Fr. Ralph gave us a brief history and behind Mary Virginia from the Cathedral, and members enjoyed having time to visit and catch up with each other in the New Year. Many oneMe of itsr ownri c whose Awa spirit, values,rd and 2017 service thanks to Ann Ertle and Susan Ferraro Smith for their help in planning the liturgy, and to Paula Conrad, Monica Bruck, the prestigious Mary Virginia Merrick Award will be Rose Dziak and Mary Graves for their help in planning, presented at the Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, setting up and cleaning up for the lunch. At the closing of our 100th year, we look forward to rededicating Who do you believe is deserving of this award? Who ourselves to the Christ Child Society. We will continue to touch do you believe has given of herself in the name of the Christ Child Society of Cleveland, either publicly in you do for these least ones, you do for me!” the “front lines” or quietly and consistently “behind the scenes?” Please consider nominating the member Stephanie West you believe deserves this special recognition. Your nomination is important...your opinion matters...your thoughts count!

NOMINATIONS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING AND RECEIVED BY MAY 12

Please include your nominee’s name and why you believe she deserves the Mary Virginia Merrick have any questions or need additional information contact Mary Herrick. Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Mary Herrick

6 Provisional InstalWednesday,ation Ma Marchs 22, &2017 Legacy Luncheon A DOUBLE CELEBRATION Provisional Installation Mass Legacy Luncheon Immediately following Mass Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Wyndham Cleveland at Playhouse Square East 9th & Superior Avenue 1260 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

Please join us for these wonderful events as we welcome the newest Christ Child members and honor those who are marking membership anniversaries. *** FREE VALET PARKING AT THE WYNDHAM HOTEL *** No separate invitation will be mailed.

LEGACY LUNCHEON RESERVATION FORM Reservation Deadline: Friday, March 10th Payment must accompany reservation form Seating Requests (Tables of 8) List your name and the names of those who will be sharing your table. Indicate Member (M), Guest (G), Other Chapter (O), Provisional (P)

______I have no seating preference ______I prefer the vegetarian option Checks made payable to the Christ Child Society

7 PAID Capter & Vere JANIE NICKODEM ...... President Christ Child Society MARY CAY MCCONNELL ...... President-Elect of Cleveland STEPHANIE WEST ...... Service VP 7901 Detroit Avenue, Suite 300, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 LIZ NIEHAUS ...... Organization VP TERRI PARKER ...... Recording Secretary LYNNE GERACE ...... Corresponding Secretary ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED CATHY CARUSO...... Financial Secretary ABBY SAMMON ...... Endowment/Remembrance DATED MATERIAL: KATE JOHNS ...... Newsletter Editor REV. RALPH E. WIATROWSKI ...... Spiritual Advisor

Please direct questions, information & articles to: Kate Johns, Christ Child Society c/o Parmadale, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 National Christ Child Society, Inc.