Beautifying and Expanding the Misericordia Campus: The Notre Dame Study
by Barb Quaintance
If you ask, they might just say yes.
When Father Jack and Sister Rosemary went to Notre Dame for Sister Rosemary to accept the 2023 Laetare Medal, they were joined by Matt and Joyce Walsh. The Walshes had not only funded an architecture school at Notre Dame, but they also have a niece who resides at Misericordia. Knowing this, Father Jack and Sister Rosemary asked the Notre Dame architecture department if they would conduct a study of the Misericordia campus, recommending improvements and enhancements. And Notre Dame said, "Yes"!
The Dean of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture came to Misericordia to explore possibilities. He was immediately impressed by the campus and assigned a team of architects to work on the study. The scope of the study was the physical plant, not services or current residences. Their focus was on using the campus most efficiently and building/modifying structures to meet Misericordia’s evolving needs.
Support Misericordia at the register throughout the month of March at all 188 Jewel-Osco locations! Help keep #MisericordiaStrong! Don't forget the register says: "Would you like to donate to Support People with Disabilities? All proceeds go to the Misericordia."
Misericordia has partnered with Camp Courageous to offer a camp experience exclusively for our residents from July 26–31, 2026. Camp Courageous is located about 3.5 hours away in Monticello, Iowa. Misericordia will be arranging transportation for our campers.
Misericordia needs to gauge the level of interest, so if you think you might be interested and would like to learn more about Camp Courageous, click here to sign up for an Information Session by March 13th.
by Barb Quaintance
They say that aging is not for the faint of heart. We all hope to age with grace and dignity, surrounded by people who will support and love us throughout the aging process.
Misericordia has an aging population. Geana Connelly saw that many residents were facing the challenges of aging. She also heard from families who had questions about what to expect as their family member aged. Aging is not a chronological number, but rather, a biological process. Would it happen sooner than it would for the general population? What are the signs? What might the trajectory be? What can a family do to support an aging family member?
Because Misericordia is so attuned to the residents and their families, Geana decided to host a webinar series addressing aging issues. Coordinated by Sarah Peters, this three-session series addresses various components of the aging process:
ATTENTION ALL MFA FAMILIES! (March 6th Deadline)
The MFA Board is beginning the process of creating a slate of candidates to serve on the board with terms running from 08/01/2026 to 07/31/2028. This slate will be presented to the membership for a vote at the upcoming MFA General Meeting scheduled for April 12, 2026.
Current Board Status and Opportunities for New Members
We currently have an engaging board which has been serving you well, and most of the board members whose terms will be expiring on 07/31/2026 have expressed interest in continuing their roles. This continuity is excellent for maintaining a smoothly running organization. However, we want to emphasize that the board is open to all and not a closed club.
by Linda Buchalo
Misericordia is a “happening place” and now even more so, thanks to the creation of the Resident Events department, led by Jordan Atkins with the assistance of Ken Gasch and Julia deGruchy. The team works alongside the Recreation and Leisure and the Pool and Fitness departments to promote participation in existing programs, increase exposure to various activities through large-scale on-campus events, and promote a sense of community within the greater Misericordia family. The result is increased program attendance, a greater focus on more diverse experiences, and more opportunities for families, staff, and residents to engage with each other and have fun.
by Julie Carpenter (with excerpts from Linda Buchalo’s November 2023 story)
If you’ve spent time at Misericordia, you’ve likely felt the influence of Madge and the late Bob Erlenbaugh — two extraordinary volunteers whose music, kindness, and unwavering dedication have shaped our community for more than four decades. Their lives together truly embody the spirit of the 66th Annual MFA Benefit theme - A Legacy of Love, and we are honored to celebrate Madge and remember Bob with this year’s Legacy of Love Award.
Click the link at the end of this article to view a slide show of Bob/Madge and the Heartzingers!
For new Misericordia families, or those learning about Bob and Madge for the first time, the couple began volunteering in 1983 through Candy Days for the pure love of Misericordia’s mission. Their relationship with Misericordia deepened further in the late 1980s, when their daughters Jamie and Marijo were working at a recreation camp that served Misericordia residents. Bob was teaching guitar and leading a church choir at the time and brought the group to perform at Family Fest – the first of many musical gifts he would share with our Misericordia community.
Campus Connections is a monthly publication for Misericordia Staff. BUT, it’s chock full of features of interest to our families: meet the staff, see our new residents, and be amazed at the great things happening behind the scenes at Mis!
Click here to read the January issure of Campus Connections.
To view previous Campus Connections click on Misericordia Info in the menu bar at the top of the page, and then click on Campus Connections.
Join us this spring for "Aging With Grace", a 3-part virtual workshop series. Professionals from Misericordia Home will share information on how to support your aging disabled loved one across multiple areas, including: physical health, communication, diet, emotional wellness, behavioral changes, and opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 12 – 1 pm
Click HERE to register for Part One: Physiological Changes
Submit questions to
The MFA Membership Meeting was chock-full of interesting, informative and fun things you want to know! If you missed it or want to watch it again, click here to view the meeting.
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