Please join us as we gather together at a member’s home a few times per year on the first Tuesday of the month at 8:30 am. Locations and dates for 2018-2019 TBD.
Prayer Requests:
Please let us know if you have a special loved one you would like us to keep in our prayers. Please forward their name to Donna Groskoph at depetg@comcast.net and we will add their name to our prayer list at our home masses. Prayer requests can be made at any time.
Did you know that some pieces of fleece left over after Blankets for Babies were used by Brayton Elementary’s Student Council to make blankets for Project Linus? Our Blankets for Babies chair Theresa Sweeney and Brayton’s Ms. Senko helped students at Brayton make four blankets to send to Project Linus, a non-profit that provides homemade blankets to children in need. Project Linus blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources.
Thank you to the Union Columbiettes
The women’s auxiliary of the Union Knights of Columbus #4504 generously sponsored a “Baby Shower” to benefit our Layette Program on April 18th, at their monthly meeting. The Columbiettes, an organization of Catholic women dedicated to our Patronesses, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Theresa the Little Flower and St. Joan of Arc, are comprised of affiliated Auxiliaries of the Knights of Columbus Councils. We are very grateful to our friends, the Union Columbiettes, who have donated adorable baby clothing for our layette program for the second consecutive year.
In Memoriam...
Nettie L. DeSantis (nee Lamattina), 91, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on Friday, October 2, 2015; a day so cherished – her wedding anniversary.
Nettie’s daughter, Marianne is a long standing member of the Summit chapter of the Christ Child Society, and the family has kindly requested that in lieu of flowers, friends consider making a donation to the Christ Child Society of Summit, P.O Box 125 Summit, NJ 07092-0125. Donations can also be made on line (click here).
Nettie was born and raised in Lyndhurst NJ and graduated from Lyndhurst HS. Prior to her marriage to Joseph F. DeSantis Sr. in 1955, she was an executive secretary for the Leslie Company. After her marriage, she moved to West New York, NJ and resided there for 55 years. For the past five years, Nettie resided at Juniper Village of Chatham NJ. She was a wonderful cook, an avid sports fan, and loved reading novels and newspapers.
Nettie lovingly raised her four children and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph of the Palisade Parish where she was a member of the Rosary Society and an active school and church volunteer. Nettie returned to work for the West New York Board of Education and was active in local politics, where she served as a district committee woman for many years.
Nettie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Joseph, her parents, Gennaro and Antoinette (Romano) Lamattina, and her siblings, Dominick, Josephine, Agnes Fazzio, and Theresa Piazza. She is survived by her children, Anthony (Esther), Joseph (Amy Lipton), Joanne Vernon (Russell) and Marianne (William Delaney) and her grandchildren, Caroline, William, Gabriel, Julia, Joseph, Alexandra and Annie. Nettie is also survived by her brothers and sister-in-law, Joseph (Sophie) and Louis and many nieces and nephews. Nettie’s strong will and lively spirit will be greatly missed.
National Christ Child Society Conference
The NCCS Conference was held on September 25th and 26th, 2015, in Bethesda, Maryland, home of the National office. The theme of this year’s conference was”Empowering Our Leaders: Telling Our Story.” Saturday night’s mass at Blessed Sacrament, the parish of Mary Virginia Merrick, was celebrated by Rev. Msgr. John Enzler, President and CEO of Catholic Charities in Washington, DC. Monsignor had just spent time with Pope Francis during his visit to DC a few days prior to the conference. See the video links below for Monsignor’s homily, and for the Keynote address by Julie Francavilla, Former Seattle KIRO TV anchor, Catholic and Communications expert, on how to communicate more effectively with key audiences using new NCCS branding and key communications/leadership principles.
Some wonderful children have recently helped the Christ Child Society in meaningful ways: An Oak Knoll School brownie troop made adorable fleece blankets for us, and also donated enough layette items for nearly 5 complete layettes! In addition, another little girl, Kendal, wanted to put her communion gifts to good use, and so chose to use some of the money received to purchase layette items for the Christ Child Society to donate to babies in need at local hopsitals. Thank you to all of these generous and kindhearted young ladies!
CCSS Past President Lambi Newsham Inducted onto the National Board
At the National Christ Child Society Convention in Scottsdale, AZ, the new National Board of Directors was inducted during mass at the Old Mission, an adobe church in the heart of the old town. Our own past president and founder, Lambi Newsham (wearing blue), joined the board as a member at large.
School Supplies Drive in the Press
Click on link below to see the article on our School Supplies Drive in the Alternative Press.
Catherine F.”Kay” Grant (nee Fellmer) of Madison, NJ passed away on June 12, 2014 at the age of 92. Catherine was a past president of the Christ Child Society of Summit. We would like to thank Catherine’s family for her years of service as President and her dedication to the Christ Child Society of Summit.
From the Star Ledger—Catherine was born in Newark, N.J., to the late Carl A. and Margaret Fellmer. She resided in Jersey City, N.J., then in New Providence, N.J., for 38 years before moving to Madison 20 years ago. Catherine received her bachelor’s degree in education from the former Jersey City State College and her master’s degree in special education from Kean University. She had worked as a New Jersey elementary school teacher in Oradell, Livingston, Wood- Ridge, Jersey City, and Berkeley Heights, where she taught the perceptually impaired and English as a second language for 20 years before retiring in 1985.
Catherine was a past president of the Christ Child Society- Summit Chapter and the Summit College Club.
She was the beloved wife for 63 years of Edward J. Grant; loving mother of Mary Catherine Crawford (Patrick) of Loughshinny, Ireland; Edward Robert (Julia) Grant of Arlington, Va.; Dr. Stephen (Barbara) Grant of Aiken, S.C., and Jean Kathleen Grant of Basking Ridge, N.J., and cherished grandmother of Catriona (Jamie) Routley, Lt. Brendan Crawford (USAF), Sinead Crawford, Niamh Crawford, Andrew and Patrick Grant, Patricia (Dr. Joseph) Mets, Esq., Lt. Valerie Grant (USAF), and Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Madeline Grant
She was the dear sister of Margaret Soule of Kent, Ohio; Francis (Valerie) Feller of Wayne, Pa., and the late Carl Fellmer and his wife, Elsa, of Tuckerton, N.J.
Visitation will be held at the Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial, 7 Summit Ave., Summit, N.J., on Sunday, June 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Church, 111 South St., New Providence, N.J., on Monday, June 16, at 10 a.m., followed by the interment at St. Teresa’s Cemetery, Summit, N.J. For directions or to send online condolences, please visit www.ippolitofuneralhomes.com. Catherine was born in Newark, N.J., to the late Carl A. and Margaret Fellmer. She resided in Jersey City, N.J., then in New Providence, N.J., for 38 years before moving to Madison 20 years ago. Catherine received her bachelor’s degree in education from the former Jersey City State College and her master’s degree in special education from Kean University. She had worked as a New Jersey elementary school teacher in Oradell, Livingston, Wood- Ridge, Jersey City, and Berkeley Heights, where she taught the perceptually impaired and English as a second language for 20 years before retiring in 1985. Catherine was a past president of the Christ Child Society- Summit Chapter and the Summit College Club. She was the beloved wife for 63 years of Edward J. Grant; loving mother of Mary Catherine Crawford (Patrick) of Loughshinny, Ireland; Edward Robert (Julia) Grant of Arlington, Va.; Dr. Stephen (Barbara) Grant of Aiken, S.C., and Jean Kathleen Grant of Basking Ridge, N.J., and cherished grandmother of Catriona (Jamie) Routley, Lt. Brendan Crawford (USAF), Sinead Crawford, Niamh Crawford, Andrew and Patrick Grant, Patricia (Dr. Joseph) Mets, Esq., Lt. Valerie Grant (USAF), and Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Madeline Grant She was the dear sister of Margaret Soule of Kent, Ohio; Francis (Valerie) Feller of Wayne, Pa., and the late Carl Fellmer and his wife, Elsa, of Tuckerton, N.J. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the Christ Child Society of Summit, P.O. Box 125, Summit, N.J. 07902-0125, www.christchildsummit.org. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=171331710#sthash.6MsPNrLU.8fxdzEwZ.dpuf
Catherine F.”Kay” Grant (nee Fellmer) of Madison, N.J., passed away - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=171331710#sthash.6MsPNrLU.8fxdzEwZ.dpuf
Catherine F.”Kay” Grant (nee Fellmer) of Madison, N.J., passed away at Pine Acres Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Madison, N.J., on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the age of 92. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=171331710#sthash.6MsPNrLU.8fxdzEwZ.dpuf
Catherine F.”Kay” Grant (nee Fellmer) of Madison, N.J., passed away at Pine Acres Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Madison, N.J., on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the age of 92. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=171331710#sthash.6MsPNrLU.8fxdzEwZ.dpuf
Catherine F.”Kay” Grant (nee Fellmer) of Madison, N.J., passed away at Pine Acres Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Madison, N.J., on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the age of 92. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=171331710#sthash.6MsPNrLU.8fxdzEwZ.dpuf
Summit Elks Lodge #1246 Sponsors Second Blankets for Babies Day at the Elks Club
Our second Blankets for Babies Day was held at the Summit Elks Lodge on April 26, 2014. We had such a fun day with men, women, girls and boys all coming together to make blankets for babies! We completed 35 blankets and have approximately 82 in various stages of completion. We are very grateful to the Summit Elks for providing us with a grant funding our fleece blankets for the year. We include a warm, handmade fleece blanket in each layette that we give to children in need at Overlook and Morristown hospitals.
The workforce at Mercer Health and Benefits in Morristown, NJ held a baby shower for the Christ Child Society of Summit in early May. We received hundreds of adorable outfits,”stretchies,” onesies, and other items to complete our layettes. Each piece of clothing was more adorable than the last—it was obvious that all were chosen and purchased with care. We will be packing up summer layettes in early June and will use all of these beautiful donations. Thank you Mercer for your thoughfulness and generosity which will directly benefit children in need at Overlook and Morristown hospitals!
...And Another Baby Shower Held at Marsh
in Hoboken!
“We in Marsh Model Office Hoboken Team heard what our sister company Mercer had done and wanted show our support for such a wonderful cause so, we held a baby shower in an effort to help the CCS of Summit.
Junior League of Summit Donates Warm Winter Snowsuits to Our Layette Recipients
January 2014 - Many thanks to the Junior League of Summit who generously donated 42 snowsuits to the Christ Child Society of Summit so that we can provide warm winter outerwear to babies in need at Overlook and Morristown hospitals. With the coldest winter in years upon us, the donation of these snowsuits was truly a timely, wonderful, and much needed gift. We have already packed them up and brought them to the clinics to be distributed to those in need. Junior League members “sponsored” snowsuits at their December and January meetings. We thank them for their generosity and welcome their community partnership.
First Annual Christ Child Society of Summit Scholarship Awarded
The Christ Child Society of Summit awarded its first annual scholarship on June 12, 2013, to Jackie Balandiuk, a Summit High School senior who will attend Boston University this fall to study psychology. The Scholarship is awarded to a High School senior in good standing academically, who has volunteered or worked with children, and is continuing their education after high school.
Pictured above L to R: Christ Child Co-President Kathryn Colao, SHS Director of Guidance Dr. John Schnedeker, Christ Child Board member Maura Perier, Recipient Jackie Balandiuk, Vanessa Balandiuk, Christ Child Co-President Lori White, and Christ Child Board member Christina Amundson.
The Summit Elks Lodge #1246 partnered with the Christ Child Society of Summit to sponsor a”Blankets for Babies” Day on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Elks Lodge at 40 Maple Street in Summit.
We thank the Summit Elks for sponsoring our Blankets for Babies day at the Elks Lodge. Their generosity provided the beautiful fleece that enabled us to complete 27 baby blankets, with 134 more in various stages of completion. The blankets are included in each layette that the Christ Child Society gives to needy newborns at Overlook and Morristown hospitals. Many babies will benefit from a warm, adorable blanket thanks to the Elks Club and their members, as well as the members and friends of the Christ Child Society of Summit.
This”Blankets for Babies day” was a very special day filled with community, camaraderie, good cheer, and good works - all on behalf of needy children. Thank you again to the Elks for their support and hospitality!
First Annual Blankets for Babies Day held at Memorial Hall on
February 6, 2013.
Volunteers stopped in all day and evening to help make our signature fleece blankets for babies. Grandmothers and teens, members and new friends, were able to cut, pin, sew, iron, fringe and tie about 150 blankets! Each layette that we donate to a child in need at Overlook and Morristown hospitals includes one of these adorable blankets which are appreciated and cherished by the recipient families. Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers! In the words of our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick,”Nothing is ever too much to do for a child.”
At the 2012 Convention in Detroit, the Summit Chapter was honored to have received the Membership Award for having the largest growth in membership over two years. Lori White and Kathryn Colao accepted the award from the President of the National Christ Child Society, Patty Myler.
CCS Blog started in September 2011
The Christ Child Society of Summit has its own blog as of September 2011. See what is happening in the Chapter from the mouths (keyboards) of our members. Check it out!
Summit Chapter Welcomed into NCCS Fold
On Saturday, September 18, 2010, at the National CCS Convention in Cleveland, our chapter became fully chartered. The culmination of a four-year process, the awarding of a charter, taking us from provisional status to full membership, affirms the work of our volunteers on behalf of children in need in our community.
As a symbol of our newly chartered status, each chapter presented a layette from their chapter to us during a mass held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
some cool and easy-to-use web tools (no code required)? Marybeth Robb is looking for another pair of hands to keep the website up to date and to create a “self-service” environment for leadership and members. Interested? Call Marybeth at 908-578-8821.
