Christ Child Society of Cleveland

Mission: “To foster a personal love of Christ expressing itself in service for needy children regardless of race, color, or creed.”

December 2015

Dear Christ Child Members,The gospel story of Martha and Mary has had a huge impact on my life. I am a Martha through and through; I welcome, I cook, I feed - and truthfully, Mary’s sitting with Jesus always bothered me - so when Jesus told Martha that Mary had “chosen the better part,” I felt angry and confused. Our priest helped me to understand, however, that Martha and Mary are not either/or; they are both/and. We all have to DO and we all have to SIT WITH JESUS. And what I have discovered is that when I place all of my “doing” within the greater context of God’s presence and love, I change the way I do what I do. I do it with much more love, with a greater spirit of community, with less earthly expectation, and with a much greater sense of humility. My focus changes away from me – and toward someone else. My inflexible and somewhat arrogant attitude of “I know best” changes to a flexible and more open attitude, one which is much more conducive to the workings of the Holy Spirit. This Christmas season, I hope that we will all take time from our DOING – our baking, our buying, our decorating – to sit with the Christ Child. Perhaps our doing will be more joyful and our sitting with Jesus will be more meaningful; perhaps our experience of Christmas will be wonderfully different. May your Christmas be merry, bright, and always full of love.Susan Ferraro Smith

Chapter & VerseMESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

2016 - 2018 Slate of Officers

The 2016 - 2018 Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the Slate of Officers. The Slate will be voted on at the Winter Business Meeting on January 20, 2016.

President: Janie NickodemPresident Elect: Mary Cay McConnellService Vice President: Stephanie WestOrganization Vice President: Elizabeth Niehaus

On behalf of the Christ Child Society and the Nominating Committee we thank you for your dedication in following the mission and seeing the vision of Mary Virginia Merrick.

Jean Boldt, Mary Graves, Terri Parker (Chair), Grace StarinskyNominating Committee

Financial Secretary: Catherine CarusoRecording Secretary: Gina MuffetCorresponding Secretary: Lynne Gerace

Seated left to right: Sue Simon, Marlene Suchma, Marsha Gleine, Marge Ansel, Nancy Salvatore, Peggy Rallo, Kathy D’Amato, Denise KneppMissing: Ellen Beverstock, Caroline Meder and Marlene Rydzewski

Please remember National’s Annual Giving campaign which extends through December 31st. As a reminder –each chapter must pay to National an annual chapter support. The amount that our chapter owes for that obligation is reduced by some portion when you make a contribution to the National Annual Giving campaign.

2015 Provisional Class Planning their Head Start Christmas party

Members of the Starlight Ball Planning Committee at the Westin Hotel

Left to Right: Cathy Caruso, Karen Kirk, Mary Jo Dailey, Mary Herrick, Terri Parker, Jean Canestraro, Susan Ferraro Smith

Merry Christmas

In 2016 the Christ Child Society of Cleveland will be 100 years old! What a milestone! Such longevity signifies that our work has substance and value, that what we do has meaning. So in 2016, on the heels of those who have gone before us and as the foundation for those who will come after us, we enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate our century of service to Cleveland’s children.

The 100th Anniversary Committee invites you to join us to mark the beginning of our momentous year on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

Chr

ist Child Society of Cleveland

Est. 1916

®

A Century of Service

Christ Child Society of Cleveland Celebrates 100 years

Luncheon & General Business Meeting

Immediately following Mass St. Rocco Parish Center

3205 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44109

Mass of Celebration, Luncheon & General Business MeetingReservation Form

Reservation deadline: Wednesday, January 13, 2016Payment must accompany Reservation Form. Luncheon payments are non-refundable.

Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________________________________________________

# attending __________@ $20.00 each $___________total enclosedq I prefer the vegetarian option

Payment options: Check made payable to Christ Child Societyor q MasterCard q VISA q American Express q Discover

Cardholder Name as it appears on the card: _________________________________________________

Account Number (print clearly): _____________________________________Expiration Date: _________

Signature: ______________________________________________ Zip Code: _____________________

Mass of CelebrationCelebrated at NoonCelebrant Fr. Ralph WiatrowskiSt. Rocco Church3205 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44109

Parking lot entrance is on Fulton Road, just south of the church.

Please complete the following reservation form and say that you will plan to join us. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please mail reservation form along with payment to:Christ Child Society c/o Parmadale, 6753 State Road, Parma, OH 44134

Attn: General Business Meeting & LuncheonIf you have questions, please contact Paula Conrad or Monica Bruck

Christ Child Societyof Clevelandc/o Parmadale, 6753 State Road, Parma, OH 44134

DATED MATERIAL:Please deliver by December 11th

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDCleveland, OhioPermit No. 3046

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Chapter & Verse

Christ Child Society of Cleveland is chapter of:National Christ Child Society, Inc.

6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 504, Rockville, MD 20852 1-301-881-2490 / fax: 301-881-2493http://www.nationalchristchildsoc.org

SuSaN FERRaRO SMith .............................. PresidentJaNiE NiCkOdEM ................................. President-ElectaNN ERtLE ....................................................Service VPdONNa kELLy ..................................... Organization VPLyNNE GERaCE ...........................Recording SecretaryGiNa MuFFEt .......................Corresponding SecretaryMaRy Cay MCCONNELL ..............Financial SecretaryaBBy SaMMON .................Endowment/RemembranceROBBiE WOLaN .................................Newsletter EditorREV. RaLPh E. WiatROWSki ...........Spiritual advisor

Please direct questions, information & articles to: Robbie Wolan,

Christ Child Society c/o Parmadale, 6753 State Road – Parma, OH 44134

april 30“White Glove” Event and Reception

(Christ Child Society of Cleveland Archives at The Western Reserve Historical Society)