Reflections on Misericordia from Father Jack
by Barb Quaintance
If you’re ever in the Misericordia’s administrative offices between 6-7am, you may well see Father Jack working at his desk. Since becoming Executive Director about two years ago, Father Jack has valued this quiet time before the rush of the day begins. He says that the biggest change he’s faced as Executive Director is that now he’s asked about everything by just about everyone.
Of course, Father Jack was at Misericordia for 22 years before becoming Executive Director and was responsible for many of Mis’ operations. In his new role, his mission is not only to ensure that Mis runs smoothly and efficiently, but to help staff see the big picture; i.e. to see how interdependent the various departments and functions are. One of Father Jack’s priorities has been to build a strong leadership team. He has expanded the team with several new Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents (AVPs), with several more AVPs and Directors to be hired. Father Jack believes that the “perfect” leadership team is one that combines long-term employees—who have been dedicated to Mis and have deep knowledge of how things work—with new people who can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas. Father Jack also believes it’s his role to ask questions: Is this the best way to do something? Could we do it in a new or different way?
Geana Connelly’s New Role - VP of Strategy, People & Culture
by Lisa Masucci
Continuing the series of profiles on Misericordia’s new leadership team, today we feature Geana Connelly, recently appointed to the position of Vice President of Strategy, People & Culture. After 30 years at Misericordia, Geana has the experience and relationships needed for this important new role.
Many of you may not know that Geana grew up on a farm in a small town in north central Wisconsin, the youngest of five children. Her interest in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities started in high school when she volunteered in a special education classroom. She went to St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI and studied psychology. While she was in college, Geana’s niece was born with Down syndrome, which further deepened her desire to work with the population that she has come to love and admire her entire professional career.
Art Therapy: A Path to Healing
by Barb Quaintance
We all know that Misericordia takes excellent care of the residents’ physical and health needs, but Mis is equally focused on their mental and spiritual well-being. One of the counseling techniques used to address that well-being is art therapy. Misericordia’s Art Therapists, Miriam Hudson and Sarah Peters, work within the counseling department led by Geana Connelly. Miriam and Sarah work with residents across campus and in the CILAs. To become a practicing art therapist, one must pursue a Masters in Art Therapy which includes 1500 hours of direct client contact through internships, as well as a rigorous course load, and a focus on self-reflection. After receiving a Masters, they work toward licensure as an art therapist and/or counselor by passing an exam and completing 2000 hours under supervision. These talented therapists bring a special creativity and empathy to their interactions with the residents.
Meet Chris Hegg-Krackenberger, Vice-President of Residential Services
by Ann Wilson
Under the auspices of Fr. Jack Clair, Misericordia’s Administrative Team has gone through a restructuring. In October 2022, long-time employee Chris Hegg-Krackenberger was promoted to Vice President of Residential Services.
Introduced to Misericordia in the summer between her sophomore and junior years of college, Chris says, “I worked in a program called ‘Summer Service Learning’ which involved an 8-week volunteer commitment at a non-profit. Misericordia was one of 200 sites across the country, and I felt called to choose this site and loved it! I came back to Misericordia after I graduated in the Summer of 1991. I was not planning on staying long, but I really fell in love with the work I was doing, the residents I worked with, and the people I worked alongside. I decided to stay and here I am almost 32 years later.”
Father Bart Winters Joins the Misericordia Ministry Team
by Ann Wilson
Since Father Jack Clair took on the responsibilities as President/Executive Director of Misericordia Home, he found he had less time for his ministry duties. Consequently, Misericordia welcomed Father Bart Winters to its Ministry Team in April 2022. In addition to collaborating with Andrew Blomquist and Kathy Morris in Ministry, Fr. Bart also works with Bob Myers in promoting the mission and values of Misericordia among its dedicated staff.
On any given day, Fr. Bart may meet with small groups and participate in spirit-sessions. He is delighted and grateful to be a part of this community. Fr. Bart says, “Misericordia truly is a sacred place where God’s presence is tangible and real.” But how did he find himself at Misericordia?
Up Close with Tina Stendardo, VP of Program Delivery 
by Kathryn Moery
Responding to an ad in the local Rogers Park neighborhood paper, Tina Stendardo began working at Misericordia thirty years ago this past November. Tina’s degree is in Special Education and she has worked in many different capacities during her tenure with Misericordia. Most recently, she was named the Vice President of Program Delivery. In her new role, her oversight has expanded to not only include Day Services, but also Misericordia School, the Recreation Department, Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center, in addition to the Outreach and Adult Enrichment programs. Tina considers herself fortunate to work alongside talented and inspiring leaders such as Mary Pat O’Brien to whom she reports, Geana Connelly, Kevin Connelly, Chris Hegg-Krackenberger and Madelyne Trejo.
Welcome Madelyne Trejo - Misericordia’s new VP of Clinical Services
by Judy Wall
Madelyne Trejo is Misericordia’s new Vice President of Clinical Services. She comes to us with a wealth of education and rich experience. Madelyne has a Master’s Degree in Nursing, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, is a registered nurse, and most recently completed the NEA-BC certification (Nurse Executive Advanced Certified-Board Certified). The majority of her career has been in nursing leadership and management. While she has held positions at North Shore Health System’s Skokie and Glenbrook hospitals, Madelyne was most recently at Swedish Covenant Hospital as the Associate Vice President of Nursing, Perioperative, GI, and Anesthesia departments. Madelyne is a Chicago native and shared that her favorite thing to do in Chicago is to eat! (She is already a Misericordia Bakery fan.) She is married and has 2 sons and 1 daughter.
The Artist in All: A Gift from the Siblings
by Kelly Burgess Mayer
The Misericordia SIBS were thrilled to return to an in-person Artist in All event! On Wednesday, November 16, 1000 artists, family and friends gathered at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute to celebrate our residential artists. Guests bid on artwork, noshed on delicious snacks and enjoyed being together with our Mis family.
Chairs Sheila Canavan, Colleen Cirulo and Kathleen Davy gracefully guided us back to the in-person event. The evening broke fundraising records: we ended the evening with $1.2 million (before expenses). The auction proceeds for the residential artwork was up $26,000 from our previous high. Guests were so excited to bid on our siblings’ artwork in person, once again!
Thanks to all the Misericordia staff for their hard work, especially Lois, Julie, Anne and the art instructors. You make our residents shine! Shout out to Mike McDonogh and Earle Atwarter who always make sure the artwork arrives safely at the Art Institute.
Upward and Onward in the Ravenswood Bakery and Cafe Building
By Kathryn Moery
Those two magnificent floors in the building above the new Misericordia Hearts & Flour Bakery and Café invite the curious eye upward from street level. These floors house the Ravenswood programs, which include the art studio for Misericordia residents, and coffee production, creating more opportunities for competitive employment in the community. Visiting the building with Michael Diaz, Administrator of Employment Services and Community Day Services, and Charles Carper, supervisor of the coffee packaging program, we talked and toured the upper floors of this incredible site to see what is happening, and to learn what the future holds.
The second-floor art studio enjoys panoramic terrace views. On any given day, six to eight residents will find inspiration for creating their Artist in All works under the guidance of Allison Slak, a painter and jewelry-maker in her own right. The views outside on the terrace may activate the creative juices and rhythms to flow, but Allison also integrates chair yoga outdoors on the terrace to encourage spirituality and sensory stimulation. On our recent visit, we encountered colorfully masterful renderings of ’57 Chevies, the greens of a peaceful golf course, and the leaves of a tree bursting forth with color as the artist worked. These artists will receive fifty per cent of the proceeds of the sale of their art, closely comparable to private art sales by artists in the community at-large.
Hugh Connolly - Mastermind behind new construction at Misericordia
by Ann Wilson
Many of us enjoy Misericordia’s beautiful, leafy campus, with its modern brick buildings, impeccable landscaping and a happy, positive vibe. The campus we know today was the vision of Sister Rosemary Connelly. With the help of her brother-in-law, Bob Connolly, then several decades later, her nephew, Hugh, she spearheaded a slow, steady improvement plan that began in the 1970s and continues today.
In March 1976, 39 children moved to Misericordia North from their south side location, and the campus was in general disrepair. Bob Connolly was the first person to work at the site. Prior to his arrival, it had been the vacant location of the former Angel Guardian Orphanage. Bob spent the first two years readying the stage for the campus we know today. He successfully oversaw the rezoning of the entire property to a Planned Unit Development which allowed Misericordia to legally build and operate a multitude of dwellings. Bob created a master plan; he tore down approximately 80% of the old buildings that could not easily be made to meet the new life safety codes and renovated those that could be repurposed. He installed all of the site utilities and infrastructure that Misericordia currently uses to support both the renovated buildings, as well as the newly-built buildings. Additionally, Bob had overseen the physical planning and physical development of Misericordia‘s campus for 30+ years. He was also responsible for the development of each of the off-campus CILAs, often searching for, and finding them, himself.
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