Christ Child Members were lucky to have the new pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish celebrate mass with us at the home of Angeli Breen. He referred to the day’s reading and gospel and how it is easier to answer God’s call when a friend invites you to do something than when you may hear God calling you directly—when we are more apt to say, “no, not me!” So we have to be more willing to accept God’s invitation like we would accept a friend’s. He spoke about the special connection that comes from having a friend ask you to join them in volunteer work, and how effective that can be. He also referred to our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, and how her physical disabilities did not hinder her in helping children, and in fact, inspired others to follow her example. We had a record number of members come to welcome Father Bob, and we thank him for taking the time to get to know the Christ Child Society of Summit a little better, and lend us his spiritual guidance.
We gathered 30-strong at Claire Toth’s home to celebrate our February Home Mass. What a great way to start the day!
Outside the weather was drizzly and gloomy, but inside Monsignor Guenther was talking to us about light — the light that each of us has and that we bring to all the children that we reach through the Christ Child Society and its programs. He shared how important it is for each person to be affirmed and how each of us provides that affirmation to the children through our personal service, whether we actually get to meet them or not, because our work shows that someone out there cares.
Thank you to Claire for hosting and to Monsignor for inspiring us!
“And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” - Genesis 1:31
Like the proverbial postman, neither snow, nor sleet nor ice kept Chapter members from gathering for our February Home Mass. Graciously hosted at Marjorie Waltzingers’ Home and celebrated by the inimitable Monsignor Guenther, the February Home Mass was a great way to recharge and to refocus on our important mission: helping children in need. As usual, Monsignor Guenther managed to weave together our mission, the life of Mary Virginia Merrick and the creation message of the daily reading with a simple message: our work with children helps bring out”the good” in God’s creation. What a great way to think about it!
Beginning Advent with a visit from the CCS National President
We are so thankful that our National Christ Child Society Board President, Anne Kelley, worked a visit to our chapter into her busy travel schedule this month. She spent time getting to know our board, sharing her goals for her presidency, and talking about the cause for the canonization of Mary Virginia Merrick, our founder. She was able to meet some of our members and experience our home mass held at Peggy Kane’s house on December 2nd. What an inspiring way to begin Advent together! Read more...
Msgr. Guenther celebrated the mass and eloquently spoke of how the work of the Christ Child Society “plants a seed”—the knowledge that someone cares for them—in the hearts and minds of those we strive to help. This seed can grow to make a difference in the life of a child. As Anne noted, it is a wonderful thought to begin Advent with, as we wait for the coming of the Christ Child, and see Him in the children we serve. Anne spoke about the progress of the cause for canonization, and her hopes for moving the process to Rome in the near future. There are so many people who feel passionately about the life and service of Mary Virginia Merrick, and their devotion to her cause is as inspiring as her works. We are blessed to have so many people working tirelessly on making her canonizaton a reality. As a chapter, we will continue to support the cause, raise awareness, and pray for the canonization of of our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick. Our visit from Anne strengthened the ties between our chapter and the National board, and the other 42 chapters serving children in need for the love of the Christ Child.
Msgr. Guenther celebrated mass at the home of member Margery Conniff on February 11th, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We were so inspired by his story of visiting the shrine in the 60’s and being chosen to be the main celebrant among 40 other priests at a mass attended by hundreds of pilgrims at 4:00 am! He recounted how affected and awed he was upon visiting the shrine, and saying mass on the spot that was once visited by Mary. He reminded us that God touches us all in different ways, and we do not need a medical miracle to be changed forever by his grace. Thank you to Father for celebrating this special day with us, and to Margie for opening her lovely home for our mass.
