by Ann Wilson
Since Father Jack Clair took on the responsibilities as President/Executive Director of Misericordia Home, he found he had less time for his ministry duties. Consequently, Misericordia welcomed Father Bart Winters to its Ministry Team in April 2022. In addition to collaborating with Andrew Blomquist and Kathy Morris in Ministry, Fr. Bart also works with Bob Myers in promoting the mission and values of Misericordia among its dedicated staff.
On any given day, Fr. Bart may meet with small groups and participate in spirit-sessions. He is delighted and grateful to be a part of this community. Fr. Bart says, “Misericordia truly is a sacred place where God’s presence is tangible and real.” But how did he find himself at Misericordia?
The Misericordia Family Association 63rd Annual Benefit Raffle ticket sales are now live!
3 fabulous prizes! Cash! Car! Grand!
Click here to learn more about the prizes and purchase Raffle tickets.
Click here to download the Cash/Car/Grand Raffles Flyer/Solicitation Letter to send to your family, friends and work colleagues to help the MFA generate more raffle sales.
Go to www.mfabenefit.org to learn more about the Benefit.
During March, the following departments are being recognized and there will be an appreciation luncheon on Wed, March 22nd.
Maintenance/Building Operations who work tirelessly in every season to keep the campus safe and beautiful for everyone.
Human Resources/Staff Development who recruit, train and work hard to retain the Misericordia staff. They hold specialized trainings and provide resources for the staff.
Reception covers the all-important Thome and McAuley reception areas. The receptionists are great ambassadors for Misericordia.
Behavior Services support the mental and behavioral well-being of the residents. Services include individual and group work to enhance the social, communication and interpersonal skill development of the residents.
Social Services maintains funding and compliance for all Misericordia residents. This includes working with families, scheduling staffings/meetings, working with state agencies and maintaining records.
In October 2022, CMS visited Misericordia and conducted a heightened scrutiny review to determine if Misericordia's Community Day Services (CDS) setting complied with the home and community-based services settings criteria. After three months of patiently waiting, Misericordia learned that the CDS inspection was passed, and Misericordia was noted strongly in the "Promising Practices" section of the report.
CDS Passes Federal Inspection by Michael Diaz
In October ’22, as part of a years’ long process, Misericordia’s Community Day Services was inspected by a team of federal and state authorities. As one of only three campus-based facilities surveyed in Illinois, the purpose of the inspection was to determine if the CDS program had any “isolating” qualities in services provided to the residents, due to services originating from campus.
Misericordia is once again recognizing the hard work and dedication of its Staff this year. Different departments are recognized each month with a catered lunch, staff gifts and raffle drawings. The calendar below shows the schedule for the year. In addition to asking Misericordia families to provide e-mails of thanks and appreciation for the departments, we will be asking for volunteers to help with the events. Please check Mis Biz at the beginning of each month for additional information.
by Kathryn Moery
Responding to an ad in the local Rogers Park neighborhood paper, Tina Stendardo began working at Misericordia thirty years ago this past November. Tina’s degree is in Special Education and she has worked in many different capacities during her tenure with Misericordia. Most recently, she was named the Vice President of Program Delivery. In her new role, her oversight has expanded to not only include Day Services, but also Misericordia School, the Recreation Department, Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center, in addition to the Outreach and Adult Enrichment programs. Tina considers herself fortunate to work alongside talented and inspiring leaders such as Mary Pat O’Brien to whom she reports, Geana Connelly, Kevin Connelly, Chris Hegg-Krackenberger and Madelyne Trejo.
We need you to make your giving page today!
Dear Friends and Families,
Welcome to the 37th Annual Candy Days scheduled for April 28-29, 2023. It has been three years since our families and friends were out on the streets collecting donations for Misericordia. Despite sore feet, this annual event was one that many of our families and friends looked forward to and served as a testament to our belief in the mission of Misericordia. After careful discussion, we have once again made the decision to remain virtual for one more year - 2023. We are so grateful to everyone for the support you provided over the past three years. Last year, families and friends established 461 fundraising pages that reached nearly 11,324 donors and raised more than $2 million!
The MFA Benefit will be in person this year at an exciting new location, the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, on Sunday August 27th.
To learn more about the Benefit and to access the Benefit documents, click on the website www.mfabenefit.org and then click on the word Documents in the menu bar at the top of the page. All the documents that are “live” are available there to read/print/download as needed. Other documents will be added to that list as those portions of the Benefit go live.
The Women’s League will celebrate St. Paddy’s Day at the annual Heart of Gold benefit on Friday, March 17th!
We have been blown away by the interest in this year’s benefit, and are currently sold out of tickets! If you are unable to join us this year, we still have a number of ways you can join the fun and support Misericordia.
Raffle tickets are still available for our incredible prizes, including a diamond bracelet valued at $3,500, a 65-inch flat-screen TV, and a $2,500 cash prize. Raffle tickets are $100 and you need not be present to win! Click here to purchase your raffle tickets today!
Dear Friends,
It has been a very long three years since we last gathered in person and I have so missed seeing all of you. Our Annual Sibling Meeting, Halloween Party and the Artist in All Signature Event have always been some of my favorite events as they allowed my fellow SIBs to come together and share in our common bond of having a Misericordia sibling. It has been 22 years since my own dear brother Fred was called home to the Lord. Knowing Fred, he is surely dancing on the mountaintop. Like you, I am so grateful that my sibling was able to be a part of the Misericordia community and live a dignified and joyous life.
As the pandemic moves into our rearview mirrors, our new SIBs Executive Board, led by incoming President Megan Biggam is working hard to re-engage and re-energize our group. I ask each of you to make time on Sunday, February 26 to join us in the Jean Marie Ryan Center at 1:00 p.m. Outgoing President Lisa Paradis and incoming President Megan Biggam are looking forward to sharing with you all of our successes in 2022 and plans for 2023 and beyond. Afterward if time allows, please join us for refreshments to re-connect with your fellow SIBs.
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