Thank you to all who attended the MFA Meeting and Party! We felt all the good old vibes being together again. And, many thanks to those who worked behind the scenes to make our gathering happen. The next MFA meeting will be VIRTUAL and is scheduled for January 15, 2023. Click here to watch the recording of the October 2022 MFA General Meeting. (Please excuse the poor audio quality of the recording.)
Important takeaways from the meeting ->
by Diane Carpenter
When our daughter Beth was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 ½ and the severity of her disability became apparent, the never-ending worry began of who would take care of her when I no longer could.
As she got older, the realization that she would need to live in a residential facility someday was too heart breaking to contemplate, so it got pushed back to the “I’ll think about that later” part of my brain.
23 years ago when Beth was 14, Rob, a friend of ours whose daughter lives at Misericordia, told us all about Mis. He and his wife took us for lunch at the Greenhouse Inn and arranged for us to go on a tour to see what Mis was all about. We were quite impressed. I picked up an application which sat on my desk for 6 years because I wasn’t mentally ready to fill it out. Rob then gently reminded us that we should at least get the application in. So, I called Mis and got an updated one, and it sat on my desk for another 6 years.
This is a signup list of on-campus volunteer opportunities at Misericordia. MFA families and friends can signup for spots working at our on-campus events and the Sunday brunches, working in the kitchens prepping food on Saturdays, helping decorate the campus with Christmas decorations, working shifts at the Harlem Irving Park Giving Tree, distributing turkeys to staff, etc.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with sales at our on campus events. There are three separate areas needing volunteers - our Christmas Cottage, our Gift Shop and our table that sells resident-made artwork and crafts. Sign up to work with the Heartstrings Gift Shop and Christmas Cottage, which are in operation when we have on-campus events.
Click here for Holiday Sales Volunteer Opportunities
After two quiet years, the Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery is once again planning on having individual and group volunteer opportunities this holiday season! If you, your friends, or family members are interested in volunteering, please read more about the updated requirements for this and sign up at one of these links:
Click here for December Bakery Volunteer Opportunities
by Judy Wall
Christy was our first child and first grandchild for my family. Joy and excitement were ours during her early weeks and months. I began to get my feet under me as a mom, Jim adjusted to the newness of being someone’s dad, and Christy, well Christy was a happy, healthy, beautiful, bright infant full of smiles and coos. In December of 1977 Christy turned 5 months old, her seizures began, and life as we knew it ended. Any simple assumptions we had about the road ahead were erased, although we did not yet know this. The first seizure lasted 2 hours, brought an ambulance ride, a hospitalization, tests, and anticonvulsants. As well as the hope that terrible experience would never recur. Of course, within a few weeks another seizure came, and now through her 45 years they have never stopped coming. They sneaked around every anticonvulsant and treatment and continued to cause damage. As the years have gone on, they have robbed my precious daughter of so much. But those of you who know Christy see a happy, smiling, joking girl who has boundless love to give.
On Thursday, October 27, Misericordia is bringing the Cheesies Food Truck (grilled cheese sandwiches) to campus for an appreciation event for all Misericordia staff. Volunteers are needed to greet staff, check-in staff and hand out tickets. They will also help keep the area clean.
All volunteers must be fully vaccinated/boosted and wear a mask on campus. Please bring a copy of your vaccination card.
The Food Truck will be on campus at the Holbrook Lot (facing west) from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. There will be four shifts with two volunteers needed for each shift.
Please click here to sign-up: SignUp Genius online signup form
Thank you,
Lisa Masucci & John Butler
MFA’s Staff Appreciation Coordinators
During October, we are recognizing the hard work and dedication of the Misericordia Day Services Staff. There will be an Appreciation Event on October 20th, which will include a catered lunch, staff gifts and raffles.
Misericordia Day Services is an enrichment program that focuses on developing and enhancing the residents’ daily living skills, economic self-sufficiency and independence. Day Services include Developmental Training, Community Day Services and McAuley Day Services.
Please check out the Artist in All website and become a sponsor, purchase tickets or preview a sample of the art that will be on display and auctioned off on November 16th at the Art Institute of Chicago. We are thrilled to be back and looking forward to celebrating 25 years of beautiful art produced by our Misericordia siblings and their amazing art instructors.
After two quiet years the Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery is once again planning on having individual and group volunteer opportunities this holiday season! If you, your friends or family members are interested in volunteering, please read more about the updated requirements for this and sign up at one of these links:
October and November Opportunities
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-misericordia6
December Opportunities
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-misericordia7
We're also looking for volunteers to help on Sundays in our on-campus restaurant, the Greenhouse Inn! Whether you're looking for service hours for school or supporting us on behalf of a friend or family member at Misericordia, we really appreciate the help! Click here for more information about this opportunity and to sign up.
by Linda Buchalo
The Shannon Apartment building was constructed in 1991, thanks to the generosity of Brian and Sue Shannon. The building is situated on the perimeter of the campus, directly across the road from the Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center.
Shannon Apartments is currently home to 56 male and female residents who are moderately independent and able to perform daily living activities with limited assistance. Staff are available to provide guidance, supervision, training, and other assistance. The apartments are also home to some very special residents, including Sr. Rosemary and Fr. Jack.
While Shannon Apartments has had various renovations over the years, the basic structure of the building has remained the same - a multi-unit dwelling with a large common gathering and dining area. Residents live within their own apartment, and these vary in size, serving between one to five people. The building is co-ed but each apartment is all male or all female. Each apartment has its own living room, dining room, and kitchen, in addition to the bedrooms and bathrooms. There are several offices and a meeting room on the main level. The lower level has a social center, game room, computer room, and three-lane bowling alley. These rooms are well-used, but during the recent pandemic, residents were especially appreciative of these extra amenities.
The MFA invites you to attend our first IN PERSON Membership Meeting since October of 2019. Wait there’s more . . . We are also inviting you to join us at an After Party to celebrate our first chance to be together, live, in three years.
Welcome Back Re-connect with your friends and other members. Meet the MFA Board and Past Chairs. Welcome our new members. We’ll offer conversation, food and beverages and a TV watch corner will be set up for diehard Bears fans. Leave your checkbook at home -- this is just meant to be a fun way to re-engage with each other!
Sunday, October 30, 2022 in the Jean Marie Ryan Center
MFA Membership Meeting: 11:00 until 11:55 am (Doors open at 10:30 am)
Masks required on campus when not eating/drinking. The meeting will be recorded for those who cannot attend.
After Party: Noon – 3:00 pm (Bears vs Cowboys @ noon)
PLEASE RSVP! We’re ordering food so we ask that you RSVP here: http://rsvp.m-f-a.org
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