The Ministry Department at Misericordia: Tending to the Spiritual Needs of Residents, Staff and Families 
by Barb Quaintance
Misericordia takes care of the physical needs of its residents, of course. It also offers them day services and recreation and employment opportunities and fun and friendship. But Misericordia also tends to their spiritual and religious needs, a privilege and responsibility joyfully attended to by the Ministry Department: Father Bart Winters (VP of Mission), Andrew Blomquist (Director of Ministry) and Kathy Morris (Ministry Coordinator). Under the overall guidance of Fr. Jack Clair, who began his journey at Misericordia as Chaplain (and who now serves as President), they approach their ministry as one of “presence”, accompanying residents, staff and families alike along their journey of life and faith.
Many of us have encountered Ministry through Saturday Mass in the Jean Marie Ryan Center. Daily Mass is also offered (in the Mercy Chapel) Tuesday-Friday and on holy days. In addition to Christian services, Ministry offers Jewish services, such as Shabbat, and attends to the faith traditions of all residents.
Ministry supports residents, staff and families during times of transition, including significant times of grief. Such work includes planning memorial or funeral services for a recently deceased resident. They ensure that each service celebrates the life of the respective resident and includes not only immediate family, but also the resident’s Misericordia family.
The Restore & Remember program, with collaboration from the Counseling Department, focuses on bringing staff together after the passing of a resident. This includes staff from the resident’s last home and, as appropriate, homes where they lived before. The staff are encouraged to tell stories about passed residents, in acknowledgement of both the impact the residents make and the sense of loss in their absence. They also discuss how to sustain their efforts with the other residents while coping with their loss. They incorporate art therapy into the program; for example, making cards or notes that honor the resident. Ministry also visits the deceased resident’s home, where they are in conversation with the other residents about their loss. Music is an important part of their ministry.
The “Heart of Mercy in Action” volunteer program is an innovative way to engage young people in the Misericordia community. Andrew and his family (his wife, Aroma, who works in Social Services, and their three beautiful young children) live at Driskill Home, near the main campus. They share this home with undergraduate students, in conjunction with their respective volunteer/internship program: some of whom stay for a summer, others for six months to a year. The students experience Misericordia by working four days a week, most often in a residential area. They gather for dinner with Andrew and his family weekly to share their experiences, work out any challenges they may be facing and build community. If you know a young person who might be interested, please contact Andrew at
How lucky we are to have such warm, compassionate people tending to our family members’ spiritual needs. Thank you to Fr. Jack and the team he has assembled in the ministry department: Father Bart, Andrew and Kathy.
Send yours to
