by Barb Quaintance
Nestled on the corner of the Misericordia campus sits The Greenhouse Inn. For thirty-six years, The Greenhouse Inn has been a destination for residents, families, and friends from the community. Good food, good service by residents and volunteers, and the possibility of saying hello to Sister Rosemary or Father Jack makes The Greenhouse Inn the place to be.
The Greenhouse Inn serves approximately 30,000 diners per year. Patrons include families who dine with their residents, residents who are on dates or eating with friends, and large groups from the community. It’s not unusual to see a group of thirty having lunch or brunch at The Greenhouse Inn - and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Managers Lily Devey, a twenty-nine-year Misericordia employee who started at The Devon Café, and Katie Lewis, who joined Misericordia two years ago, keep The Greenhouse Inn humming. Felix Rivera is the head chef, responsible for the delicious offerings, and Manny Aguilar and Jorge Perez also cook. Believe it or not, they are the only paid staff!
by Sue Hartemeyer and Merrily Smith
The acronym, CILA, stands for Community Integrated Living Arrangement. The first one opened in 1996. It was called Hulseman-Murphy and was donated by the family who invented Red Solo Cups. Since then, the following CILAs were added:
1998 McAllister
2002 Farrow
2004 Walsh
2006 Houlihan
2007 Maxwell
2009 Eisenberg
The…in the 2010’s:
Baumgartner, Gerber-Hoag, Leland, Madden, Moore, Rafferty and Walsh-Slattery followed.
With the opening of the Cohen Home in February, the total number of CILAs will now be 15.
Hello, MFA members!
There was a great turnout and a lot of fantastic energy in the room for our General Membership Meeting on Sunday. Thanks to all for attending, volunteering, and participating. Special thanks to Jim Capraro, video wizard, for creating the slide presentations and for recording and editing the meeting for your viewing enjoyment. Our thanks also goes to Pam Capraro for organizing and executing the wonderful welcoming meeting for new families.
We would like to call your attention to three items which were discussed at the meeting and which make us feel particularly blessed to be a part of the MFA:
For those of you who missed the meeting, it is available to view by clicking this link:
During April, the following departments are being recognized, and there will be an appreciation luncheon on Thursday, April 18th for most of the departments:
Housekeeping whose work impacts the quality of life for our residents and the entire community.
Laundry which provides clean linens and clothing to many areas on campus.
Kitchen/Food Services which prepare meals for residents on campus, as well as Misericordia events and special events.
Misericordia Businesses which include the Greenhouse Inn Restaurant, Heartstrings Gift Shop, the Sweetheart Shoppe in Glenview, and the Hearts and Flour Bakery Drive Thru & Café.
Bakery whose hand-working staff produces the delicious baked goods that Misericordia is famous for while supporting the residents who work in the Bakery.
Security which works around the clock to ensure that Misericordia is safe for the residents and staff.
Please send us your notes of thanks and appreciation to the staff in each of these departments as soon as possible. (Please don’t name individual staff as not all staff will receive a mention.) We will compile them and share them with the staff prior to the luncheon. Email us at
Click here to read the March 2024 Campus Connections Newsletter and to catch up on any past ones you've missed.
The Campus Connections Employee Monthly Review Newsletter will follow a new format and schedule. It will now be distributed at the end of the month to provide staff with sufficient time to learn about and seek clarification on important organizational news. This also helps Campus Connection capture weekly events and stories about our staff and residents, as requested by readers. So please look for us in Mis Biz, following the last Wednesday of the month. And as always, thank you for reading!
Click here to read the Misericordia Spring 2024 Newsletter.
by Katie Jennings
The Misericordia Young Professionals Council (MYPC) supports the Misericordia community and its fundraising efforts while meeting new people and having fun! The MYPC consists of young professionals in their 20s and 30s and is based in Chicago.
MYPC members are involved in on-campus volunteer opportunities with Misericordia residents, such as the CILA BBQ, Shannon Apartments Pumpkin Painting, and creating centerpieces for the Irish Fellowship Luncheon in the Bakery. The MYPC also plans and hosts multiple fundraising social events, e.g. Summer Party, Holiday Party, and the Red Heart Bash, to raise money for Misericordia.
The MYPC's biggest fundraiser of the year is the Red Heart Bash. This year, the Red Heart Bash will take place on Friday, April 12 at Walden Chicago, starting at 7 PM. The Red Heart Bash is a cocktail style event with an open bar, food, a live band, and more! All are welcome and we encourage you to attend and bring your friends!
If you are interested in joining the MYPC, please fill out your information here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPLryLn0Bc8CJJ7VAVuOgx5wKX27kSFIuGA_VIJ0RPihvIfw/viewform
If you are interested in purchasing a ticket to the 2024 Red Heart Bash, you may buy your ticket here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/ANj/
Dear Staff and Families,
I’m sorry it has been so long since I have written. I broke two ribs right after Christmas and ended up in the hospital. Then, I returned home for a long recuperation. I am fully back now and going to the gym several days a week. Thank God for health.
We have been glad to welcome Kevin Knoll to our staff as our General Counsel. He will be coordinating all of Misericordia’s legal issues, such as contracts and the like. Our hope is that he will form a committee of attorneys that is connected with us to help him in directing our needs. We have already met with the Cardinal’s staff of Legal Services and have begun a good relationship with them.
WE SENT A SURVEY. YOU RESPONDED. WE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR! YOU WANT TO GET TOGETHER… LIVE… IN PERSON! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. THIS IS YOUR MEETING! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!
WHEN? Sunday, April 14th
WHERE? Misericordia’s Jean Marie Ryan Center
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Dear MFA members,
A number of our MFA Board position terms will end on 7/31/24. If you would like to nominate another MFA member or yourself for one of these positions, Click here to complete the form, and submit it by midnight 3/22. You may nominate as many people as you like, but you will need to submit a separate form for each nomination.
Your nominees will be taken into consideration by the Nominations Committee, and a slate will be prepared. This slate will be voted on by the entire membership at the April 14th General Membership Meeting.
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