Misericordia

[Pages:10]Misericordia

Heart of Mercy

N ewsletter Summer 2012

32nd Annual Family Fest!

September 9, 2012

Join us on Sunday, September 9 for Misericordia's Family Festival, held on Misericordia's campus between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 6300 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago (corner of Ridge & Devon). The Festival promises to be a fabulous day of live entertainment, food, drinks, auctions, raffles, games and more! It brings together thousands of Misericordia's family members and friends for a fun and exciting day that is now Misericordia's largest fundraising event.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children and seniors. Discounted tickets are available through August 20. Please use the enclosed ticket ordering form or call 773-273-2768 for more information. You can also purchase tickets at Thome Avenue Reception at Misericordia. S&C Electric is generously providing free parking for fest-goers, which can be accessed off Devon Avenue, just east of Ridge. A bus to the fairgrounds will be available.

Entertainment! Don't miss! WGN's "Mr. Fix-It" Lou Manfredini answering your questions in the North Tent; The Misericordia Heartbreakers and Heartzingers; The Jesse White Tumblers, the Shannon Rovers and more!!

Bid! Live auction with Lin Brehmer from WXRT 93.1 FM- 3:30 p.m. near the South tent. Fabulous prizes! Contact Lois at 773-273-4160 or loisg@ .

VOLUNTEER! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Family Fest. Contact Theresa Rooney at 773-273-4134 or theresar@misericordia. com to learn how you can help before, during and even the day after the Fest!

Donate! All of the food for the Fest is donated and it takes a lot of it to make 18,000 people happy. Please contact Jim Ahlfeld at 773-273-4199 or jima@ if you or your friends may be able to help with candy and food donations.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP! Just a few of the benefits are prominent signage at the Fest, ad space in the program book and complimentary tickets. Corporate Sponsorship accounts for the majority of the funds raised at Family Fest. To learn how you, your company, or your family can become involved, contact Father Jack Clair at 773-273-4165 or frjack@.

CAR & CASH RAFFLES! Organized by Pauline Greco and her fabulous committee, the cash raffle offers a top prize of $50,000, with additional prizes between $15,000 and $500. Tickets are $100, and only 3,000 tickets are available. Buy your ticket before July 24 to get an extra chance in the Early Bird Drawing! Enter the car raffle to win a 2013 Bright Silver KIA Sorento SUV compliments of Andy Francis of Evergreen KIA, in memory of Jerry Gleason. Tickets are $50, or 3 for $100. To enter, please call 773-273-4147 or mail your check to Misericordia, Attn: Cash/Car Raffle, 6300 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660. *Post office regulations do not allow Misericordia to send raffle ticket stubs by mail, but Misericordia will contact you with the ticket number. The stubs can be picked up at the Family Fest if you would prefer to have the actual stub. If you are the lucky winner of either raffle, you are not required to be present or have the stub in hand to claim your prize.

Dear Friends,

Most of us are fully aware of the financial crisis that the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago face! From an outsider's view, there still seem to be areas of excessive waste which should be abolished on every level of Government. This would take political courage on the part of our elected officials. My prayer is that they will leave politics aside and do what's right for all our citizens, especially those who have no voice in the existing political system. Many of you are aware that Misericordia is proud to claim many good friends in Government. (Yes, we do bribe them with cookies.) Most have taken a tour and without any exception, they are proud to be our friends and become believers that we are a very legitimate way to share life with persons with disabilities. This is so, in spite of the fact that there is a national trend that holds "big is bad" and all persons with disabilities, no matter how severely involved they are, belong in isolated houses in the community.

Recently, we have been notified that in the 2013 State budget all 400 of the 600 residents living in Campus homes licensed as ICF-DD (Intermediate Care Facilities-Development Disabilities) will have no funding available for home visits, hospitalizations, or rehabilitation periods. The exceptions to this cut-back are the 200 residents who are children or who live in our seven houses in the neighborhood and in our apartment building.

As many of you are aware, Misericordia Heart of Mercy Center stands in contradiction to the national trend that all persons, no matter how disabled they are, should be living in isolated houses in the neighborhood. We believe in these isolated houses in the neighborhoods for a segment of our population who are more abled and do enjoy this environment. We will be opening our 8th house in the fall and our 9th home in the neighborhoods in the New Year. But the reason our residents living in the neighborhoods have great lives is because our campus complements their daily lives beautifully. I still hold that if they did not have access to our Campus, their lives would be more restricted than those living on Campus.

Is it not ironic that the residents living in our homes on the campus are the ones who have been selected by the "powers that be" to be limited by this home-visit restriction? Is it another way the bureaucrats who have input into the budget priorities, are telling us we might be good, but we are still big ? and therefore unacceptable? This might be too judgmental on my part. If it is, I apologize!

As many of you are aware, Misericordia has a huge annual deficit which we cover through fundraising. Yes, our fundraising is successful but it demands much sacrifice on the part of everyone who works so hard within our home. You see in our newsletters how involved we all are in the many fundraising events throughout the year. You also see how many wonderful individuals, groups, and organizations share our ministry with us through their fundraising and volunteer efforts.

This recent cut-back for 400 of our 600 residents has the potential to increase our 2013 deficit to 14 ? million dollars, which must be raised through private fundraising. In spite of this, we will be announcing in the fall a major capital development drive which will provide new housing for more of our aging population. Today we have 16 residents older than 60 and 68 residents older than 50 years of age. This is a new phenomenon.

So, dear Friends, life continues to be challenging! But we face it with great confidence and hope. We know we are doing God's work for the Lord has walked this journey with us throughout these many years. We feel His Presence in your loving friendship and generous support. You have never disappointed us and we are truly blessed to claim you as our family, our friends.

Enjoy the summer! We hope to see you at our September 9th Family Festival. It's always great fun for all! God bless you and yours. Gratefully,

Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM Executive Director

Sibling Jim Viverito works with his brother Jeff on the lakefront on a beautiful day!

Jack K adds his touch to the painting with the help of staff Chris Centeno and parent Marvin Bloom as Ben B. awaits his turn.

THe Greatest Painting in the

WHOLE History of the World

It began with a group of men who live in the McAuley Skilled Nursing Residence,

aptly named The McAuley Men's Group. Starting in October, the group formulated

a new project to paint a 30x40 canvas with hopes it could be exhibited at the 2012

Artist in All. This endeavor, carried out over the course of six months, included

forty residents from the McAuley residence, each adding strokes and color with

absolutely no intention of following a set paradigm. Residents added to the

canvas in any way that they pleased. The Men's Group not only worked on their

painting in the familiar McAuley

settings, but in all sorts of settings

throughout Chicago such as; The

Gold Coast, Millennium Park,

Grant Park, Wrigley Field, The

Lakefront, The Chicago River

Walk, and even Daley Center Plaza.

Painting in and around town was

often tough with a canvas that was

prone to sailing due to Chicago's

familiar winds, but the residents Ben B and Kevin M at "The Bean," with had fun integrating their community staff members Ryan Flood and Kevin Hricik. experiences with their art. When

work was carried out on the

Misericordia campus, music was

a big part of fostering a creative

environment. Led by Kevin Hricik

and Ryan Flood, many residents

contributed to the painting with

hand over hand assistance and

some added paint independently.

However, it was a collective

movement on behalf of many

Jack V, Michael B, and Nicky S with staff Chris Centeno, Ryan Flood and Kevin Hricik at Wrigley Field.

people at Misericordia that allowed Men's Group to carry out such a unique and determined adventure.

Bequests & Annuities

To those friends who wish to help assure the continuation and growth of Misericordia by mentioning Misericordia in your will, the following general form is suggested: "I give, devise, bequeath to Misericordia Home, an Illinois not-for-profit organization located at 6300 N. Ridge, Chicago Illinois, the sum of $ ___________ (or percentage, or specifically described property)." Contact Kevin Connelly at 773-273-4167 / kevin@ or visit the planned giving page at misericordia. org. Additionally, gift annuities will give you an opportunity to receive an annual fixed income for the rest of your life, as well as possible tax deduction in the year the gift is made. Gift annuities require a gift of $5,000 or more and the donor must be at least 60 years of age.

The practice of asking for donations to a favorite charity to commemorate the death of a loved one is very thoughtful. In the past few months, such requests have resulted in donations that benefit Misericordia. We thank those benefactors and their families, and respectfully ask that you remember them in your

thoughts and prayers

James Asnis; Mary Ann Clarke; Philip H. Corboy; John M. "Jack" Donegan; Rollie M. Goodrich; Marian D. Grale; H. Tom Griffith; David Hedberg; Carol C. Heffernan; James F. Henry, Sr.; Michael Peter Hermes; Robert K. Hobson; Margaret Barrett Kavanagh; John William "Jack" Kelly; Isabelle M. "E" Kurowski; Kathy Lehnerer; David Charles Leis; J. Maurice Lopez; Michael Joseph Lynch; Grace L. Manning; Margaret Ryan McMahon; Ruth E. Monson; Mary K. Morrison; Charlotte I. O'Brien; Judith Schoenbaum-Wood; Anne Donato Sorrentino; Joseph F. Tersch; Edward R. Williams

Congratulations to our very own Lois Gates who was included in Today's Chicago Woman magazine's "100 Women to Watch" in the July issue. We are grateful you are ours!

Who is in your FAMILY tree?

There were more than 2,500 people in our family tree at

the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont in

June. The Annual Dinner Dance, hosted by the Misericordia

Family Association, was an exciting evening of cocktails,

a sit-down dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions and

raffles. We know everyone is sitting on the edge of their

seats to find out who went home with the keys to the brand

new 2012 Jeep Patriot donated in memory of our dear friend

BUMS making the

Jerry Gleason by John Kaye's DuPage Dodge, Chrysler & Jeep Dealership in Wheaton...so we will tell you! It was Rita

world a better place.

Only a BUM would be caught on a golf course on a Monday afternoon...a truly generous and caring BUM that is! Olympia Fields North and South, Idlewild and Flossmoor Country Clubs

Mellor! Congratulations! The lucky winners of the cash raffle are: $5000 Grand Prize - Herb & Bernadene Flentyke; $1000 Prizes - Joan Lemasters, Barb Stretch, Steve Wang, Maureen O'Brien, and Amador Alba. Special thanks to the sponsors who believe so deeply in Misericordia and helped made this evening very special.

were inundated with more than 550 of Legacy Sponsor: Carol & Jim Palmer

those BUMS on June 11, for the annual Misericordia's BUMS Golf Outing.

Platinum Heartfelt Hero:

Golf was followed by cocktails and The Calabrese Family, Cafe Touche and Zia's Trattoria

an exquisite dinner at Olympia Fields, Red Heartfelt Heroes:

along with a live auction and door prizes. Congratulations to Bill Napleton who was presented with the coveted Brian O. Shannon "BUM of the Year" Award for his dedication to the mission of Misericordia. Our most sincere thanks to the BUMS who hit the

The Hersh Family, Micheline & Reginald Rabjohns, Cheri & Jim Rafferty, The Veldman Family, Wintrust Financial

links to raise almost $400,000 for Misericordia and to the faithful

ladies who volunteer at the outing for an event that helps change

the lives of the residents of Misericordia.

Special thanks to those parents pictured with Sister Rosemary Connelly: Fundraising Chairs, Jean and Everett (not pictured) Miller; Benefit Chairs, Joanne and Joe Grano; and MFA Chairs Deb and Gaylord Villers.

PRodromos' and Ketter are a hit!

The Concert for Misericordia "Opera and Show Tunes Greatest Hits" was a reSOUNDing success! The concert, held May 12, in the Jean Marie Ryan Center at Misericordia, featured the wonderfully talented Stephany Prodromos (Soprano), Lexy Prodromos (Soprano) and Christian Ketter (Tenor) performing incredible operatic medleys and showtunes from Broadway greats like Phantom of the Opera! A special guest appearance by the Misericordia Heartbreakers rounded out a spectacular evening that raised over $5,000! To sneak a peek, visit . Stay tuned for next year! Pictured: Lexy and Stephany Prodomos and Christian Ketter with the Misericordia Heartbreakers.

What began as a golf "get-together" between coworkers and vendors 36 years ago has blossomed into a beautiful partnership between AT&T, its employees, retired employees and vendors. Over the years AT&T has generously supported Misericordia through corporate sponsorships, program grants, employee volunteer programs and the proceeds from the annual AT&T Network Golf Outing. This year's outing was the 35th annual and was held on June 5 at Glen Eagles Country Club. A great day was had by all as 275 golfers hit the links to benefit Misericordia. We thank the good people at AT&T for their friendship and devotion to the children and adults of Misericordia Home.

Artist in All Anniversary

An artist's dream... a show in the Art Institute of Chicago. Well, that dream came true on May 23 for the artists who participate in Misericordia's Art Therapy, Resource and Developmental Training Programs when the 15th Anniversary of the Artist in All exhibition and auction was held at the Art Institute. The event, organized by the Misericordia Sibling Organization, featured over 250 amazing works of art created by resident artists under the direction of their dedicated instructors. This unique event raised over $400,000. We are incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors, especially Northern Trust Bank and Office Max, and sponsor and Honorary Chaircouple Lovie and MaryAnne Smith. Special thanks to event co-chairs Caren Anderson and Margaret Babjak, Sibling President Barb Piwowarski, Misericordia Advisory Board member Bill Meyer, the Misericordia development team and instructors and of course...the talented artists! Those talented artists gathered May 21 in the Jean Marie Ryan Center at Misericordia, where every single artist who contributed creative expression to the Artist in All Exhibition was honored and celebrated by family, friends and peers. Pictured (from top left) Artist Maria R is clearly excited to see her painting on display; the 2012 Misericordia Sibling Board; Bird's eye view of the exhibition; The talented artists proudly wearing their medals at the Red Carpet Celebration; Sister Rosemary with sponsors and honorary chaircouple Lovie and MaryAnne Smith.

HERE WE GROW AGAIN! Misericordia

is proud to announce our 8th CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement) home, located in the Edgebrook neighborhood in Chicago. The Moore Home will be home to seven men with developmental disabilities.

Heartstrings Evanston is One Year Old!

Congratulations to the Heartstrings Evanston Gift Shop on their one year anniversary. Jill, Misericordia resident and employee at the gift shop, says it is her favorite job! She hands out samples of our baked goods and welcomes shoppers. Jill says, "Stop by! We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm!" The Heartstrings GiftshopEvanston is located in St. Francis Hospital at 355 N. Ridge Avenue. Pictured: Kris McDonell, Mary Nocek, Jill H., and Margaret Dillon.

Visit us downtown!

The Hearts & Flour Bakery will be at Chicago's Farmers Markets this summer!

Daley Plaza

(corner of Washington & Dearborn) Thursdays from 7 am - 3 pm May 24 through mid-October.

Federal Plaza

(corner of Adams & Dearborn) Tuesdays from 7 am - 2pm

beginning May 29th through September.

Our delicious baked goods are always available online at .

TOGETHER WE MET OUR GOAL!

2012 Misericordia/Jelly Belly Candy Days raised $1,283,185.54! We are awed and humbled by this record breaking total. God was certainly with us, the dedicated coordinators, thousands of volunteers and generous friends throughout the City and suburbs. Candy Days is one of our most demanding events but it is also a major source of income. We are trying to become less dependent on government funding and this event is one of many held to help Misericordia develop and maintain special programs to meet the unique needs of the 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities who call Misericordia home. This year we must raise $11,000,000 to cover program expenses that are not reimbursed by the State. Our programs are expensive but we believe they are absolutely necessary for quality lives. Thanks again to Bill Kelley and the Jelly Belly Candy Company for their generous donation and support, and to Bob Soudan and Gregg Hartemayer for all their hard work making Candy Days so successful!

Thank you CTA for supporting Miserircordia Candy Days!

With Heart and Hands at CTU

Here is your chance to see Misericordia's resident artwork on display! From June 28 through August 14, With Heart and Hands, an exhibition celebrating Misericordia's artists, will be on display at The Mary Frances and Bill Veeck Gallery at Chicago's Catholic Theological Union, located on the 4th floor of CTU's Academic and Conference Center at 5416 S. Cornell. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm. Weekends by appointment, please call 773-371-5416. For more info: ctu.edu/programs-amp-centers/mary-frances-and-billveeck-gallery.

Get a game in before the winter comes!

A contribution of $500 or $2,000 per

foursome will cover 18 holes of golf on

the beautiful Donald J. Ross course

in Skokie, golf cart, lunch,

cocktails, and dinner on Thursday,

September 20, 2012. Take a

chance on the Silent Auction,

Live Auction and Raffle. $100

a ticket gives you a chance to

win $5,000 1st prize, iPad3

2nd & 3rd prizes! Only 300 tickets will be sold. Or join us for

lunch $50 and/or dinner $100. To get involved as a golfer or

sponsor, to purchase raffle tickets or join us for lunch/dinner, please

contact Lulu Wirtz at 312-373-5030 or lwirtz@.

Running

to make a

Matt works at S&C Electric Susan works at Target

Supported Employment Services

We are here to help YOU! Meeting the needs of your business, while providing the dignity of work for people with developmental disabilities. Misericordia Supported Employment Services match work-ready adults with disabilities with employers who are looking for reliable, dedicated employees. We are available to work at your site or pick up work to be completed at our Production Center here at Misericordia. Every adult receives the support of a Job Developer, pre-training and on-going follow-up. Please contact Charles Ranker, Community Employment Coordinator, at 773-273-3013 or charlesr@ with questions, requests and referrals.

difference.

The Misericordia Heartracers are undertaking the Chicago Marathon in October. Each racer has pledged to raise $1,200 for Misericordia AND run 26 miles and 385 feet to do it! If running isn't your "gift" but you would like to help the Heartracer Team reach their goal, go to misericordia. com, click donate online now and designate your gift for Bank of America Chicago Marathon. For more information, please contact Tom Zipprich at tomz@ or 773-273-4195.

BUMS honorees Bill Napleton, Mike Schmidt, Pat Mulchrone, John Scully, Rob Figliulo, Paul Napleton, Pat Scully, Tim Gallagher and Tom Arundel.

Sue Hartemayer, Sister Rosemary, Gregg and his mom Dorothy Hartemayer.

Women's Board members Carol Whiting, Mary Beth Schweihs and Patsy Caruso

It's time for the Women's Board to Play BALL

Ok, it is a little play on words, BUT, the Women's Board really is getting the BALL rolling for their annual Heart of Mercy Ball which will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, Millennium Park Chicago on November 9, 2012. The team got started with a kick-off party, chaired by Patsy Caruso, held at the Jean Marie Ryan Center in June. It was there that the Board announced that they have chosen to honor Gregg & Sue Hartemayer, recipients of the Heart of Mercy Award, and to all the hosts of the BUMS Golf Outing: Tom Arundel, Michael Burton, Pete Castellarin, Rob Figliulo, Tim Gallagher, Bill Kingore, Terry Lavin, Ron Miniat, Pat Mulchrone, Bill Napleton, Paul Napleton, Joe Offerman, Michael Rooney, Mike Schmidt, John Scully, Pat Scully and Frank Stone - recipient(s) of the Sister Rosemary Connelly Service Medallion. Under the leadership of Women's Board President Carol Whiting and Ball Chair Mary Beth Schweihs, this year's black-tie optional affair will feature the Ken Arlen Orchestra, an exquisite dinner, dancing, cash raffle and a live and silent auction. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit .

The Wellness Fair

held in May in the Agape Gym at Misericordia was a huge hit! The residents took time from their busy day to visit the fair that featured information about healthy lifestyles such as food choices, activities, stranger danger, cooking and recycling. Residents could also participate in fun activities throughout the day like cooking demos, chair yoga, games and music. Pictured left: Jimmy checks out the display about gross motor skills. Pictured right: Chair Yoga in the garden.

\

Misericordia's Outreach Group had a WILD Time

Tina's Playgroup, an interactive playgroup for children 0-7 years of age with special needs who are part of Misericordia's Outreach Program, was invited to spend an afternoon in the Greco Greenhouse and Gardens, the horticultural work opportunity at Misericordia. The residents who work in the gardens were happy to show their new friends around their work area, which

resembles a miniature tropical jungle complete with a fish pond, turtles, lizards and temperate greenery. It was the perfect place to learn what types of animals make good pets, to learn about plants, and get a chance to plant their own! Tina's Playgroup serves children aged 0-7 with special needs and their families and is open to all levels of ability. Participants are not required to attend every meeting. For more information, please contact Anne Maddock at annem@misericordia. com or 773-273-3064.

Can't remember the hours for the Greenhouse Inn Restaurant? Who to call for the Bums Golf Outing? There's an app for that! (iPhone and Android app stores) Free to download!

Switching to

the electronic

version of this

newsletter

will save

The Heartzinger Choir sang a rousing rendition

Misericordia of the Star Spangled Banner on April 27th (bet-

postage

ter known as Candy Days) at Cellular Field before

and help the environment! To cheering on the White Sox against Boston. Thanks to

make the switch, please email Bob and Madge Erlenbaugh for their direction of the

your request to newsletter@ Heartzinger Choir and the White Sox Management

. To stop

for this wonderful opportunity.

receiving the paper newsletter,

you must include your name,

address, and zip code or, if

available, the 5 or 6 digit ID

number located to the right of

your address on this newsletter.

Save the Date

Daley Plaza Farmers Market Thursdays, May through October

773-273-4759

Federal Plaza Farmers Market Tuesdays, May through October

773-273-4759

Art Exhibition at CTU June 28 - Aug 14 - 773-371-5416

FAMILY FESTIVAL Sun, Sept 9- 773-273-2768

FALL FESTIVAL GOLF Thurs, Sept 20- 312-373-5030

Women's GOLF Outing Mon, Oct 1- 773-273-4163

CHICAGO MARATHON Sun, Oct 7 - 773-273-4195

Heart of Mercy Ball Fri, Nov 9 - 773-273-4160

Join us for the Holidays!

Reservations accepted beginning July 1, 2012 for Misericordia's Christmas Brunches in the Jean Marie Ryan Center AND the Courtyard Inn!

Champagne Brunches Sun, Dec 2 & 9 - 773-273-4738

May Crowning

On May 19, Father Jack Clair lead the devotions and ceremonial crowning of the statue of Mary to honor the virgin as the Queen of Heaven and for bringing us Jesus. He was joined in celebration by residents, friends and family.

Sundays, December 2 & 9 Courtyard Seatings: 10:30 am & 1:30 pm Jean Marie Ryan Seatings: 10 am & 1 pm $55 for adults; $15 for children 8-12.

For reservations: 773-273-4738 or christmasbrunch@

Private Shopping events are available in our Heartstrings Gift Shops. If you are interested in hosting your own private shopping event, please contact Nancy Turry at 773-2734189 or nancy.turry@

Summer is here, and there is no better place to be than in Chicago! The gentlemen who live in the Miniat Home at Misericordia took a trip down to Navy Pier to celebrate one of their staff member's birthday. Pictured: Peter on the Ferris Wheel

Misericordia is a residential facility serving children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities from diverse ethnic, religious, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. A not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, Misericordia is operated by the Sisters of Mercy under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. Misericordia is located at 6300 N. Ridge, Chicago, IL 60660, 773-973-6300. You can find Misericordia on the Internet at or . The Misericordia Newsletter is published quarterly and is written and designed by Susan Whitwell. Please send any comments about the newsletter to Sue at sue@ or to 6300 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660. If you would like to add, remove or change your contact information on the newsletter mailing list, please contact Tessa

Garcia at 773-273-2768 or tessag@.

MISERICORDIA u 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660 u 773-973-6300 u

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