Misericordia 2022 Heart of Mercy Ball Hearts + Home United!

On Saturday, October 15, the Misericordia Women’s Board will break out the bubbly and welcome guests back to the International Ballroom at the Hilton Chicago for its first live Heart of Mercy Ball since our last in-person gala in 2019. Our theme, Hearts + Home United, will bring us together to celebrate both people and place, as we recognize our 2022 honorees and highlight Misericordia’s beautiful homes that provide a loving environment, quality of life, and a continuum of care for residents.

In 2021, the Women’s Board observed Misericordia’s Centennial Anniversary with a Virtual Ball that recognized Sister Rosemary Connelly’s visionary leadership of more than five decades and honored the McGuire family, paying tribute to Frances McGuire, who founded the Women’s Board in 1921. As Misericordia begins its second century in 2022, the Women’s Board is privileged to present three awards of distinction to longtime friends of Misericordia:

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Regarding letter from Independent Service Coordinator (ISC)

July 25, 2022

Dear Families: (This only applies to residents in campus housing and does not apply to residents in CILAs or Shannon Apartments.)

I am writing to inform you that you will be receiving a letter from an Independent Service Coordinator (ISC) regarding your family member living at Misericordia. The ISC is a contractor for the State of Illinois; he or she is not an employee or representative of Misericordia.  The ISC will follow up his or her letter with a phone call, email or text to you. 

The purpose of this contact is to inform you of the availability of home and community-based services (HCBS) as an alternative to Misericordia’s campus homes. Illinois is reaching out to the guardians of all men and women who live in Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) in the state to make sure they are aware of community-based services and other living options. The homes on Misericordia’s campus are ICFs (except for Shannon Apartments).  

You will be given the opportunity to meet with the ISC to discuss HCBS services. It will be up to you to decide if you wish to meet with the ISC to discuss these alternatives for your family member. If you choose to pursue such a placement for your family member, the ISC will put your family member on the state’s waiting list for HCBS services. This outreach will be done annually. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,
Mary Pat O'Brien
Assistant Executive Director

Calling All Writers!  

We are always looking for interesting articles for the MFA-Sibs website. Join us in telling the Mis story! There are two kinds of writing opportunities:

• Articles about Misericordia: Is there something in particular that interests you about Mis? Maybe CDC/DT programming? What is the day-to-day work of the new Misericordia Foundation? How does Mis find off-campus jobs for residents? If you'd like to write articles on topics like these or be given other suggestions, please sign up!

• Articles about your family member: These articles are more personal and focused on the experience of your family member. Tell us a story. For example, what was the experience like when you dropped off your resident for the first time? How has COVID changed your resident? Does your resident have a special relationship with a staff member? You write the story.

Please note: We are looking for articles that are upbeat and reflect the wonderful place that we know Misericordia to be. 

If you would like more information about writing for the website--or would like to submit an article--please contact Barb Quaintance, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Family Fest is Back!!

July 2022

Dear Friends,

After a two-year pause, we are pleased to announce that Misericordia will hold its 40^th Family Fest on September 11, 2022. As in the past, we honor the memory of our dear friend Pauline Greco, who was called home to God on December 3, 2016. Pauline was the driving force for the success of our annual Car and Cash Raffles. We remember her with fond memories and grateful hearts. The Greco Family and Friends Committee will continue this tradition in raising the private dollar that is desperately needed to provide quality care for more than 600 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Misericordia Sunday Brunches - We need your help! 

Greetings Misericordia SIBs,

I am writing to let you know that we are currently in need of volunteer assistance with our Sunday brunches in the on-campus restaurant, the Greenhouse Inn. Volunteers work with our staff members and residents, and help us in a variety of roles including seating guests, waiting on tables, assisting at the carving station, and washing dishes. The Sunday brunches have historically been staffed primarily by the SIBs, so we are really hoping that you, your friends and family will be able to step up and help us by signing up for at least one Sunday.  This is a great opportunity for high school students 16 and older to complete service hours too!

At this time all volunteers are required to be up-to-date with vaccinations against COVID, and a digital copy of your vaccination card must be sent to our volunteer office before your shift.  You can read more information about volunteering at the brunches as well as sign up for shifts at this link -  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4eadac29a57-sunday1

Thank you 

Paul Schwartz
Misericordia Home Volunteer Coordinator
773-273-4161 

Watch or rewatch the MFA Benefit Video!

Click play and enjoy! ->

You can still donate to the Giving Tree and the Misericordia Ministry at www.mfabenefit.org until July 7th. The Ad Book is available to view on the website also. 

The MFA Benefit Raffle Winners!

Here are the results of the Misericordia Family Association Benefit Raffles. Congratulations to the winners! You will be contacted soon.

You can still donate to the Giving Tree and the Misericordia Ministry until July 7th at www.mfabenefit.org. The Ad Book is available to view on the website also.

Staff Appreciation

During June, Misericordia is recognizing the following departments with Appreciation Events, including a catered luncheon, staff gifts and raffles.

• Information Technology (IT) supports Misericordia staff with their computer and network needs. In addition to day-to-day computer support, IT recently completed a campus wide Wi-Fi and the resident care system (AWARDS).

• Purchasing & Receiving consists of 4 employees and 2 residents who order supplies for the campus, including diapers, wipes, cleaning, office and PPE supplies, which they deliver to all residential and administrative departments. They also handle deliveries to campus.

• The Business Office supports Misericordia by conducting all financial transactions/needs of the campus, including oversight of the residents’ personal funds; billing the state to receive program funding; payment of expenses incurred by the Home; oversight and cash disbursement to support staff/resident needs on outings, activities, etc.; and cash management of fundraising funds.

• Development/PR/Volunteer Office continues to raise awareness and funds for Misericordia Home. Under the indefatigable leadership of Lois Gates, these departments work with the fundraising groups and volunteers to support Misericordia. Paul Schwartz is the Misericordia Volunteer Coordinator.

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