Message from Father Jack

February 29th Leap Year Day 

Dear Families and Staff,

I’m sorry it has been since before the Holidays that I wrote to you. I got that bad flu on Christmas Eve and ended up in bed for Christmas night and the following days. While suffering from this, I became dehydrated and fell one night. After being taken to the emergency room, they found two broken ribs. That sidelined me for all of January and most of February. I am back at full steam now, so I thought I would catch up.

As always, I am very sorry for the residents who have passed since I last wrote to you – Lindsey DiOrio, Mary Blake and Nicky Panice from McAuley and Marybeth Omastiak from Quinlan. Thanks to all of the staff who so carefully and patiently cared for these folks on their final journey to God. Let me express my sympathy to families and staff who are affected by these losses.

The Christmas Season here at Misericordia is always so amazing to me. The countless people who come for brunches, meals, shopping and fun times lift all of our spirits and provide much-needed income. Thanks to all of the staff who made all of this possible, the Foundation Staff, Housekeeping, Maintenance (who thankfully have not had much plowing), the Kitchen, Gift Shops, Bakery and Administrators. All of these folks worked so hard throughout the Season. People are so good and generous. A special thank you to all of the volunteers under the direction of Paul Schwartz.

The New Year has gone well. We have opened a new CILA, Cohen House on Carmen Avenue, for six men. Various groups and committees continue to prepare for the completion of Sister Rosemary Park. Each area, including Kitchen, Housekeeping and all Residential Services, is looking at staffing and other needs in preparation for the completion of construction late next winter. Thanks to Ashley Hespen who is coordinating this effort with Mary Pat and myself. Several other new CILAs should be opening shortly. With so many people on the waiting list, we are working as carefully as we can.

The staff shortage continues, but is improving. Thanks to our Board and their subcommittees who are working to strengthen HR efforts and Financial Planning. Two weeks ago, we (Kevin Connelly, Mary Dempsey, our Board Chair, and I) met with the Cardinal and his team for our annual review. We had a very positive meeting. The Cardinal came out to have lunch with us on Sister’s birthday, and he again said how pleased he was and how proud of Misericordia he is. He sees us as such an important Ministry of the Archdiocese.  

The Women’s Auxiliary did an amazing job once again with the Chicago Auto Show event. The Women’s League also had a beautiful event. Our next events are the St. Patrick’s Day Party after the parade and Candy Days. We are restarting Candy Days again. We expect every one of our families to participate in the online program. We again hope to be out, but not on the streets. The Public Relations we get from this has been lost over the last four years. We hope to be in front of buildings, at train stations and wherever it is safe to collect and be ambassadors for Misericordia. Again, we are asking no one to be in the street, but to cover your area in whatever way you can.

The University of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture has begun a study of our campus in preparation for our future. They will look at our current operation and solicit future hopes and dreams from our Administration. Then they will help us make a plan. We are very grateful to Matt Walsh who has helped to make all of this possible.

I want to offer a special thank you to Bob Noga who has retired after all of his years of service. He has been on this campus since it was Angel Guardian Orphanage. He was the person behind so many of our events, as well as the day-to-day food and banquet operations. He will continue to assist Sister in whatever way he can, but will also have more time with his family. Thanks to Jim Ahlfeld, Kyle Rhone and Sammie Johnson who have stepped up to lead this area. I know we are in good hands.

Tomorrow morning, the Mayor of Chicago is coming out. At lunch, the Cubs have some folks coming out. That’s probably enough for now, Thanks and God Bless for all you do. After meeting with the MFA leadership, we will have more things to discuss with families.  

With gratitude,  

Fr. Jack