August 31, 2022
"DSP/CNA week starts the Monday after the Family Fest (Monday, September 12th). The staff would love to get notes of appreciation and gratitude. If families would rather do a short video - 2 or 3 min -that would be wonderful, too. Now more than ever, they need to hear from you. They are working so hard and we continue to be short-staffed, their commitment to our residents is amazing. We have arranged for food trucks and raffles and bakery and have scheduled many events during the week. The notes should be written to staff in general, not someone specific. We will post in all the areas and if we get enough videos, we will share as well.
Please send your notes and videos to your director or administrator by this weekend. Thanks very much and looking forward to seeing you on Sunday the 11th at the Fest!"
Mary Pat O'Brien
Our Family Fest Cash and Car raffle tickets are selling like hot cakes. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets and maybe you will be this year’s lucky winner of the $50,000 Grand Prize or you can drive away in a 2022 Kia Forte FE, donated by our good friend, Andy Francis of Evergreen KIA. To purchase or for more information about the Cash and Car raffles, please go to Misericordia Family Fest 2022.For information about Family Fest or becoming a sponsor, please go to Misericordia Family Fest 2022 or contact Lois Gates' Office at
Family Fest is quickly approaching, and we're still in need of volunteers! Please share the link below widely with your friends and family. There are opportunities for people of all ages, and all volunteers receive free admission to the Fest! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-20221
During August, Misericordia is recognizing the hard work and dedication of the Supervisors. There will be Appreciation Events on August 25th, which will include catered meals, staff gifts and raffles.
While the Supervisors’ roles vary depending on the residential area, the Supervisors manage the day-to-day routines of the residents, staff and programming and the communication with families. Some areas have a Supervisor on-site 24/7 while others have AM and PM Supervisors. Supervisors are an integral part of the care Misericordia provides to its residents.
We will be making an Appreciation Video to show at the events. We ask that families create a short video (15-20 seconds) expressing your thanks and appreciation for the work of the Supervisors. Please keep the video general, for example, “Thank you Misericordia Supervisors for all you do” and please don’t reference a specific Supervisor or area.
The success of Family Fest, on September 11, 2022, relies on the generosity of the Misericordia community. We are looking for hundreds of volunteers to help in the days leading up to the Fest, as well as on the day of the big event.
Please take a look at the following links and share widely with your friends, family and loved ones -
Volunteer opportunities in the days leading up to the Fest - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-2022
Volunteer opportunities on the day of the Fest - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4caeac23a2f49-20221
On August 1, 2022 a number of changes to the MFA Board of Directors took effect. As a result of the MFA-wide election held in April - May 2022, the following Board positions/offices were filled:
MFA Chairs-Elect - Deborah & Scott Early
MFA Treasurer - Barb Rabinak
MFA Fundraising Chair - Holly Jennings
MFA Membership Chairs - Lisa Masucci & John Butler
Recording Secretaries - Barb Quaintance & Maryanne Marymont
McAuley Site Rep - Elizabeth Green
Representative-at-Large - Margaret & Scott Wagstaff
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:
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
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:
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,
July 2022
Dear Friends,
After a two-year pause, we are pleased to announce that Misericordia will hold its 40th 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.
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
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