s christ child society of...

Christ Child Society of Phoenix

4633 N 54th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85018

www.christchildsocietyphoenix,org. Spring, 2015

“Nothing is ever too much to do for a child.”

Blessings

from:

The office of the Christ Child Society of Phoenix is located at Mt. Claret, 4633 N. 54th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

Christ Child Society of Phoenix is a member chapter of the National Christ Child Society, Inc.

6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 504, Rockville, MD 20852—800-814-2149—www.nationalchristchildsociety.org

President's Message....

Lent, 2015

Dear Christ Child Society Members,

I wanted to write something profound (and perhaps helpful) about Lent, but quickly realized I am not profound,

and although I try to be helpful, many times I fall short. So I will just share a few of my thoughts about Lent. To

me, it is a time of the year when God asks us to remember the sacrifice He made for each of us. During Lent, I

always try to either ‘give up something I like’ or ‘do something extra’. I always start out with the best of intentions

and pretty soon I find myself faltering and coming up with reasons why (they’re called excuses) I’ve faltered.

Many times I start over with something new. So then I try to do something that I think is really achievable (for me),

like giving up diet Cokes. Mind you I don’t drink a lot of them, but as soon as I say I’m giving them up, I want one!

And for years now I’ve struggled with the idea that whatever I do for Lent, Sunday is a FREE day. Is that right?

Some say yes and others say no??? And when does Lent officially end – Good Friday, Easter Sunday??? A cou-

ple of years ago, I decided I would go to Mass at least once during the week. That one has kind of stuck for me. I

enjoy going to daily Mass, but my schedule doesn’t always allow for it. Maybe that’s what I should do this year –

renew that and make sure it is my first priority. One year I wanted to say the Rosary every day during Lent. I was

still working then and the hours were long…that one didn’t work out so well. You know, I like the idea of daily

Mass, I enjoy going, and I enjoy the smaller more close knit congregation. OK that settles it, I’m going to daily

Mass this year!!! And it is going to be a ‘stretch’ for me. I know that because it was one of my New Year’s Resolu-

tions and I’ve already broken that a few times and it’s only February! So, if you were looking for some inspiration

about Lent, I’m sorry, you probably didn’t get it here. I would suggest you take a look at Msgr. Hever and Sister

Linda’s articles. You will find it there!

Wishing each of you a Holy and Blessed 2015 Lent. Grace


Prayer Corner—Alice Wold

Jo Parsons

Eunice Birdoes

Alice Rivera

Olive George

Beth Kapanicas

Eloisa Salas

Doris Koenig Emeritus Member

Arthur Fammartino Cindy Rutka’s father

Judy Morris friend of Gwen Jacober

Bernie Zackowski Lydia Zackowski’s husband

Jennifer Griego Marilyn Carey’s granddaughter

Jane Paulin OLG layette helper

Carole Retzke’s daughter

Kathy Verplank Mary Martin’s friend

Tom Hopkins former teacher at Saguaro High School

Maia Beth Beth Kapanicas ‘granddaughter

Patty Ana Wenker’s sister

Lenny Peterson Teresa Donnelly’s son

In Loving Memory—

Pat Piccolo

Virginia Gulledge Emeritus Member

Jill Quinif Former Member

Geraldine Ryan Former Member

Rita Gannon Former Member

Memorials—Ruth Hafner

Arthur Fammartino

Cindy Rutka’s father Wallie Sweeney

Grace Cooper

Delores Jakubek

Rosemary Dolmage

Evelyn Brickner Sharon Schneider

Jessie Poy Bette Laatsch

Elida Desmond

Betty Peterson Helen Jaros

Jill Quinif Gerald & Letitia Ferrari

Susan & Charles Carlise

Rosemary Dolmage

Benson Family

Kelly Family

Wendy N. Weigand

Alice Moore & family

Gary J. Goodman

Betty & Charles Leftault

Linda & Andy Thompson

Patricia Hinkle

Margaret Charles

Kathi & Pat Rile

Henry & Mimi Berry

Gus Suhr

Pat & Jack Wilson

Julie Berkel

Rosemary Dolmage

Stacy & Jeffrey Horacek

Kay W. Benedict

Tricia & Doug Folger

Nick & Patty Weber

Heileman Family

Don & Mary Wilson

Charlie Donnelly JoAnn Donnelly

Marlene Engel Elida Desmond

Tami Stork Rose Mary Miller

Phyllis Bolan Jen Donovan

Edna Wall Jen Donovan

Don Ogsbury Helen Jaros

Rita Gannon Mary Riordan

Carol Engel

Virginia Gulledge Mary Riordan

Carol Engel

Christ Child Bridge Group

Ruth Mark Gwen & Bob Jacober

Ed Murphy Gwen & Bob Jacober

Edith C. deBaca Rose Mary Miller

Memorials—Ruth Hafner

Geraldine Ryan Grace Cooper

Helen Jaros

Peggy & John Cronin

Bette Laatsch

Julie Berkel

Pat & Jack Wilson

Wallie Sweeney

Elida Desmond

Jay Binsfeld

Delores Jakubek

Mike & Sheila Geddes

Gwen & Bob Jacober

Carol Engel

Christ Child Bridge Group

Theresa Koch

Lucy Kramer’s sister Lucy Kramer

Rose Mary Miller

Ruth Hafner


Where’s the Money?

July 1 2014 – January 29, 2015

Income - $47,318.67

Expenses - $45,150.74

Profit—$2,167.93

Cards for Cash

Bashas Card Sales - $60

Bashas Rewards - $370.20

Fry's Rewards - $996.28

Grants Received

John C. Lincoln - $5,000.00

Executive Council - $2,000.00

Memorial Donations - $8,095.00

Monetary Donations - $1,975.00

Christ Child Society qualifies under the Work-ing Poor Tax Credit , which means you can re-ceive a dollar for dollar state tax credit for your donation of up to $200 if you file individually or $400 if you file jointly. You do NOT have to itemize your taxes to take advantage of this state tax credit. Please consult a qualified tax advisor for personal tax advice.

Many, many thanks to Mary Riordan for her gen-

erous donation of beautiful vintage Franciscan

dinnerware. An ad was placed on Craig’s list and

the dinnerware sold for the asking price to a love-

ly lady who assured us that this was exactly what

she was looking for and it will be used in her own

home.

CHRIST CHILD SHRINE UPDATE

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…for

your many generous donations in memory of Msgr.

McMahon, which will make it possible for the

ChristChild Society to be named on a plaque at the

planned Christ Child Shrine at Mt. Claret.

We needed $5,000 in order to accomplish this and

we’re happy to report that we’ve raised $4,850 to-

ward that goal as of February 2, 2015, without using

any money from our general fund, our projects or

programs.

We only need an additional $150 to meet our goal.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to remember

Msgr. McMahon in a special way, you might want to

consider this option, as there is still time to make a

donation. Please send it to Helen Jaros at 8009 E.

Via de Viva, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 or you can bring

it to our March 9th General Membership Meeting.

Again, thank you for everyone who has so gener-

ously donated so far!

Directory Calendar Changes

Book Club II

FROM: TO

February 17 February 24

March 17 March 24

April 21 April 28


PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS for 2015/2016 by Elida Desmond, Nominations Committee Chair

The Nominations Committee proudly announces the fol-lowing slate of officers for the 2015-2016 Christ Child Society of Phoenix Executive Board: President Grace Cooper

VP of Communications Wallie Sweeney

VP of Ways and Means Barbara Badger

Secretary Cissy Frakes

Treasurer Sharon Casey

The Board of Directors approved the slate on February 2, 2015. In accordance with our Bylaws, the general membership shall vote to accept the slate at the May 4th Annual Meeting. At that time nominations will also be open from the floor if the nominee has given written con-sent.

I would like to thank the Nominating Committee for their time and commitment, Helen Jaros, Julie Berkel, Mary Martin and Diane Howe.

Red Wagon Fare…March 28, 2015

With the Christmas Season far behind us, it is time to focus our FULL attention on our next BIG thing…the Red Wagon Fare! We are ready for a positive response to our efforts, so let’s get the word out to everyone, acquaintances, friends, family and anyone else you might think of to make sure we have a great turnout.

Talk it up, be excited in your comments and re-sponses to inquiries and let’s do EVERYTHING with the face of a child in need in our hearts to move us forward!

We are excited about our silent auction, raffle, decorations and wonder if you are thinking about a special something you’d like to offer. Do you paint, sew, make jewelry or other things that are beautiful that you would like to donate? Contact Mary Jo Rowen, Raffle chair and Sue Jaros, Si-lent Auction chair if you have anything you would like to donate.

We are in need of more volunteers to help the day of the Fare with the raffle setup - if you are inter-ested, please give Mary Jo or Sue a call. If you can help with decorating, please contact Cindy Rutka, Rosemary Dolmage or Wallie Sweeney. Additionally we need a few helpers to sell tickets with the great group of New Members. We need four more ticket sellers to have a total of ten Please call Cissy Frakes to volunteer to help.

Of course, you may always call Carol Engel or Elida Desmond for assistance, too.

With lots of help everyone will be able to relax and enjoy this special day.

Mini Layettes

The ladies that crochet & knit for layette have used

up pieces of yarn that are left from sweater sets &

afghans and made miniature hats for babies.The

New Members have taken these hats and created a

“mini-layette” with a miniature diaper and they will

be presented to First Way Pregnancy, Life Choic-

es Women’s Clinic and Aid to Women Center

for mothers who receive ultra sounds at these clin-

ics.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday February 18 Ash Wednesday

Monday March 9 Mass & Membership Meeting Mt. Claret 9:00 am

Friday March 27 April Newsletter Deadline

Saturday March 28 Red Wagon Fare Chaparral Suites 11:00 am

Friday April 3 Good Friday

Sunday April 5 Easter

Proposed Slate of Officers for 2015/2016

By Elida Desmond, Nominations Committee Chair Christ Child Society of Phoenix

Elida Desmond Starfish Award for January 2015

Elida has been a dedicated member of Christ Child Society

since 1993. Since that time, she has served as President,

Vice-President of Communications, Membership Committee

Chair, Chair of Miss Mary's Closet, and originated unbirthday

parties at Thomas Pappas School. Although not formally on

the Christmas Giving Committee, for the past three years

Elida has made all of the red gift tags that go on the

tree. Additionally, she has volunteered and assisted with the

carnival sponsored by Christ Child Society for the benefit of

the "Welcome to America" children. As President, Elida was

instrumental in maintaining a manageable budget for her

2013-14 term.

At the present time, Elida is the Committee Chair for the com-

pilation of current history of Christ Child Society, is Chair of

the Nominating Committee for the 2015-16 Executive Board,

serves on the Scholarship Committee and is Co-Chairing the

2015 Red Wagon Fare fundraiser luncheon. She attends the

vast majority of meetings, fundraisers and events held by

Christ Child Society. In fact, for the National Convention held

in Phoenix in 2014, Elida organized and planned the dinner

for the National Board. She volunteered to transport the

Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Christmas gifts donated by

Corpus Christi members to Mt. Claret for distribution, contrib-

utes to Layette by crocheting for the children and readily vol-

unteers wherever and whenever needed for Christ Child So-

ciety and others.

Elida is a very spiritual individual and is deeply devoted to her

family, friends, church and Christ Child Society. Elida headed

up the Girl Scout Troop while her daughter was in the

scouts. Although her daughter is no longer involved, Elida

continues to provide assistance when possible.

She is very active in her parish, Corpus Christi, and is thought

of as an individual who puts "her heart and soul into every-

thing she is involved in". She currently heads up the Ministry

for the Sick, coordinating efforts to provide the Holy Eucharist

to homebound parishioners and to those in nursing homes

and hospitals. For several years Elida ran the Kathy Bender

Nursery at Corpus Christi, allowing parents to attend Sunday

Mass knowing their little ones were taken care of on-site, and

has also been very involved in the St. Gerard Circle, a minis-

try for mothers of the Parish.

Elida works behind the scenes without concern for recogni-

tion. To quote a Christ Child member, "She is a Treasure".

Thank You!!

What an honor to receive the Starfish award, it

was so unexpected. A special “thank you” to

Teresa Donnelly for nominating me and for the

kind words. We all do this for the children and

never expect to receive anything for doing what

we love in the name of the Christ Child, so it is

always a surprise when we get acknowledge-

ment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Elida

Thank You!

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, St. Bene-

dicts Council #12246 for their very generous do-

nation of $500 to Christ Child Society.

A special thank you to Janet and Mick McLaugh-

lin for making the presentation and working so

diligently to accomplish this.

The Nominations Committee proudly announces the following slate of officers Christ Child Society of Phoenix

Spring Food Drive

Desert Mission Food Bank

There will be three containers identified as canned goods, dry goods and hygiene products placed at Mt Claret on February 26, 2015. Final day for donations is March 9, 2015, at our General Meeting.

Desert Mission will pick up our donations on March 12

Estimated cost should remain the same as the Thanks-giving Food Drive, between $25.00 to $30.00 or whatev-er you are comfortable in donating.

Top 5 most needed Items (no glass)

Canned fruit and vegetables CannedSoups/Stews Pasta/Rice Peanut Butter CannedTuna/Meat Snack Pacs

Each Friday, emergency food is distributed at area schools to children identified as at risk for going hungry over the weekend

Fruit or applesauce (individual packaging & low sugar) Canned Soup Ramen Noodles Granola Bars Pop Tarts Small Crackers Canned Fish Canned Chicken or Vienna Sausage Cereal (Individually packaged) Juice (small plastic bottles (low sugar)

Hygiene Products

Regular or Trial size of the following: Shampoo/conditioner soap body wash deodorant tooth paste and individually wrapped toothbrushes

Toilet paper—Variety of packaged sizes from 4-12 in a package

Remember the Christ Child Society will benefit if you shop at Fry’s or Basha’s with your card.

If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Don-nelly or Johanna Warner.

…just sayin’ by: Diane Scalise

…If you were at the General Membership Meeting in

January, you heard Ruth Hafner read Thank You Notes

from Sonia at Mt. Claret, Vista Colina, Desert Banner

Medical Center, Maricopa County Medical Center, Holy

Cross Mortuary, The National Christ Child Society

Board (for our help at the Convention in September)

and Rose Mary Miller. I wanted to remind you that so

many people are grateful for our efforts.

…Have you noticed the newly created “Used Book

Shelf” at Mt. Claret? Hardback books are priced at

$1.00 and paperback books are just 50 cents. So far

we only have books but please consider donating your

DVD’s, CD’s and Books on Tape. All proceeds go into

the General Fund. And… drum roll please… we have

collected $15.00 so far!!!

…God Bless Mary Riordan who donated a set of dishes

which Barb Badger advertised and sold for a nice sum

of $250.00. Thank you Mary.

…Nominating might be calling you “to serve”. Please

consider a position on the Board of Directors OR, as a

committee or project chair. It’s the hardest work you

will EVER LOVE.

… Remember the words of our founder…. “It is the per-

sonal element that we make with others that brings true

charity into life”

Each individual Christian and every community is mis-

sionary to the extent that they bring to others and live

the gospel and testify to God’s love for all, especially

those experiencing difficulties. Be missionaries of God’s

love and tenderness! Be missionaries of God’s mercy,

which always forgives us, always awaits us and loves us

dearly.

Pope Francis

Our dear Lord suffered that He might thereby leave

me an example of patience. I make His example

naught by impatience.

Mary Virginia Merrick


Lent 2015

Hard to believe that Ash Wednesday is coming up so quickly!

This is a wonderful liturgical time for us. Six weeks to reflect, and walk with Jesus through his ministry, passion, death, and resurrection. It is a time for us to consider where we are in relationship to God. What do we need to strengthen our relation-ship? Have we loosened our relationship or strengthened it in the past year?

There are wonderful tools for us during Lent to ex-plore all of these questions. Perhaps joining a Lenten program in your local parish or here at the Monastery. Making a special time for lectio divina, spiritual reading, meditation, making the Stations of the Cross [communally or privately] or going to Mass more frequently during Lent.

How are you called to make an extra special time with Our Lord during Lent? Take time to be in-spired by God…you will be grateful for this special time.

Blessings,

Sister Linda Campbell, OSB

Prioress

Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery

Lent

Many times we offer prayers to God for various

reasons. Not too often do we think of enhancing

our prayers by some form of fasting or penance.

Yet throughout Scripture prayer and penance go

together.

Lent helps us to focus on the importance of do-

ing some form of penance and fasting for 40

days. It takes an effort and a commitment to do so

but the effects are many - it helps us focus on

what we can do to enhance our spiritual life rather

than thinking of what others can do for us.

We all know that pruning a tree is essential for

good strong growth. Fasting and prayer does the

same for the spiritual life. It can take many forms -

giving up something or doing something extra.

Now is the time to decide to do something special

during the season of Lent. You will find doing

some form of penance and prayer will have a

good effect on your spiritual life.

Blessings,

Msgr. Tom

Spring soon will be here

When Spring unlocks the flowers To paint the laughing soil;

When summer's balmy breezes Refresh the mower's toil;

When winter holds in frosty chains The fallow and the flood;

In God the earth rejoices still, And owns her Maker good.

~Reginald Heber, "Spring," in The Christian Observer, January 1816


Items to Date

Layette - Jen Donovan

4

7 6

1

AZ GIVES

The website for the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits states: “Arizona Gives Day is a powerful 24 hour online giving experience that unites Arizonans around causes they believe in.” On April 7, 2015 the entire state of Arizona will join together to help nonprofit organizations like the Christ Child Society of Phoenix. But it reaches beyond Arizona --- donations can be made from anywhere in the country or the world as long as the donor has access to the internet. The AZ Gives Committee for the Christ Child Society has been preparing for this day. Committee members have participated in several webinars about AZ Gives and continue to learn about participa-tion in this event and to plan for its success. Would you like to help in this effort? It’s really very simple. We need to develop a database of po-tential donors. That simply means making a list of names and contact information, particularly email addresses. Elaine O’Toole has already started this list. Included are those that donated to our Fall Fundraiser, the agencies we serve, and others we ‘do business with’. But we could still use more…if you know of someone who might want to participate, please let Elaine know. We would like to attract a well-known individual or company / organization in the community. Do you know of one? Once they make a donation, others will more than likely follow because of their association with that donor. Being a part of something bigger, like a statewide effort, attracts donors as well. We would also love to have someone willing to ‘match’ donations. If you know of someone, a business, or an organiza-tion who might fit into one of these categories, please let Grace know. In addition to the donations that are made, AZ Gives is offering $160,000 in prizes this year for a variety of reasons – the nonprofit who has the most donors, who collects the highest number of dona-tions during a specific hour, and other things like that. Yes, this is our first year, and we will learn a lot and hopefully will develop a special relationship with donors we don’t even know yet. All we are asking from our members is to share the contact information of those you think might want to participate in AZ Gives. Yes, it could be family and friends, but it could also be businesses, agencies, your insurance agent, your banker, your doctor, your jeweler, your grocer, your next door neighbor, or someone who is dedicated to helping children….you get the idea. Please give it some thought and contact Elaine O’Toole if you know someone you think might consider donating to the Christ Child Society on AZ Gives Day, April 7, 2015.

A Gift of Fabric by Barbara Badger

Sensory Goods makes weighted blankets for autistic children and comforters for the disabled. Cal

Shurrab, the owner, has donated fleece and flannel strips to the Christ Child Society. Although the

fabric is in narrow strips, the quilters have found a way to use this fabric. He is continuing to give this

fabric to us because it would be thrown away if we didn’t use it. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Shurrab for

this ongoing generous donation.


Meet the Founding Members of the Christ Child Society of Phoenix

Emmy Byrne, JoAnn Donnelly and Kathy Henes through their love of the Christ Child Society formed a long and lasting friendship. They each had the heart, courage and strength to follow the mission of “serving children in need” and from that dedication, the first meeting of the Christ Child Society of Phoenix was held in 1985. JoAnn met Kathy Henes when she joined the Detroit, Michigan Chapter. It was when JoAnn moved to Harbor Springs, Michigan that she became the founding member and first president of the Northern Michigan Christ Child Society Chapter and later became a National Board Member. With her friendly personality and love of the Christ Child Society she became familiar with several members throughout the United States. JoAnn and Kathy moved to Arizona and soon thereafter became friends with Emmy Byrne, who was very familiar with the Omaha Chapter in Nebraska. While living in Phoenix, the three friends formed a lasting bond. JoAnn said to Kathy Henes “Kathy why don’t you start a chapter” and as the story goes…the idea of a Phoenix chapter of the Christ Child Society was con-ceived. They all shared the philosophy of our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, …‘Nothing is ever too much to do for a child’. JoAnn is the only living member of the three founding members , even though she moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to be with her family in 2011, she is still a member of our Chapter. She loves sharing and hear-ing about the Christ Child Society. The Christ Child Society of Phoenix has grown by leaps and bounds and offers so much to so many and just think it all began 30 years ago with friends sharing their dedication for helping children. We applaud all the wom-en back then who worked so hard and were so dedicated to helping children in need! A history book of our chapter is available. f you would like a copy please contact Barbara Badger, Vice Presi-dent-Communications.

Meet Our New Members Fran Enzone Fran has joined our chapter and will carry on the Christ Child work of her Mother, Dottie Kida, who was instrumen-tal in making the tags and labels for our Bedtime Bags Program. Cissy Frakes Over the years Cissy has worked with the Christ Child Society as the Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Phoenix. Cissy knew when she retired she would join our chapter. Cissy is an active volunteer for Book Club Buddies. Pat Mansfield Pat has been a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church for 30 years. She became aware of our chapter through the Sodality at OLPH. Pat retired as an Executive Assistant for a major airline and has put her talents to work crocheting our beautiful afghans. Ginny Palamara Ginny learned about the Christ Child Society from her husband Frank, a Knight of Malta, and Barbara Gallagher. Ginny is an active volunteer for Book Club Buddies and has also joined the crocheting and knitting group. Teresa Severson Teresa’s sister-in-law has strong ties to the Milwaukee Chapter and it was there that Teresa learned about the Christ Child Society. Teresa and her sister-in-law attended a layette gathering and she knew it was time for her to offer her talents to the Christ Child Society of Phoenix. Teresa is retired from the YMCA as a Fitness Specialist. Judy Tucker Judy has attended the Red Wagon Fare with her friend Mary Smith and heard all about the wonderful programs the Christ Child Society of Phoenix has to offer. Judy is a retired school principal from California and is an active member of Book Club Buddies. We welcome all of this year’s New Members and wish them a long and rewarding membership in our chapter.


Mt. Claret Center

4633 N. 54th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85018-1904

Let not a day pass without having learned something, without having overcome yourself in something, without having per-

formed a kind act, without having accomplished something.

I must not rush through my daily duties worrying that I cannot get all that I wish done. I must do but one thing at a time and

by that one duty do my best not worrying over what will become of the others.

Mary Virginia Merrick

Red Wagon Fare

Saturday, March 28

Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale

Chairpersons: Elida Desmond & Carol Engel

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