June 26, 2020
Dear Families,
Last Saturday, I became overwhelmed by the creative efforts of our Misericordia Family, including our Executive and Administration teams, to reach out to our Misericordia families. This was necessary because of the reality of cancelling so many of our yearly benefits – such as our annual “Misericordia Family Association Benefit” scheduled in June. This seriously threatened our yearly budget, which depends greatly on our fundraisers to offset the annual deficit. In normal times, this shortfall often reaches $20 million per year. It is still unknown how much this virus will increase our 2020 deficit.
As always – but most importantly more so this year, our Family Association really stepped up to meet the challenge of Covid-19. There are no words to ever fully express my feelings of gratitude to all those family, friends and “virtual attendees” who joined in and came together by supporting the event in so many ways. Whether you contributed to our Ad Book, participated in the Paddle Raise, the Giving Tree, the Auction or if you “took a chance” and purchased a Car or Cash Raffle Ticket; every donation, gift or purchase was greatly, greatly appreciated. To everyone who joined in on the fun that night – hosted a virtual cocktail party, shared and pumped up the spirit of the event – you were sharing the spirit of Misericordia! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You probably tire of me saying this – but I truly believe Misericordia has the best Family Association in the country! And the 2020 MFA Benefit was just another example of our Family Association doing what you do best.
Being technologically limited, you can imagine how impressed I am with all the sophisticated efforts involved in the reality of making this “virtual celebration” a reality! I always hesitate to mention names – for fear I might overlook someone – but I’m going to take the risk! This effort was incredibly successful because of the shared talents of our endlessly creative, passionate and generous MFA Benefit Co-Chairs, Holly Jennings and Beth Merlo, their wonderfully dedicated and driven benefit committee, and of course the technically savvy and determined Jim Capraro who spearheaded getting everything up and online. Their team was complemented with the ardent support of our Executive and Administration teams, with the assistance of Julie O’Sullivan, and Kathy Watts. I must also sincerely thank MFA Presidents Bill and Laurie McCarthy for their leadership and ever present support, and Jim Spellman and Bret Matthews of DuPage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for their most generous donation of the 2020 Jeep Compass Latitude, for the Car Raffle. How blessed we are to claim all involved as our own!
At Misericordia I’m amazed at the ability of our “leadership team” in every area of Misericordia. When difficulties arise, they don’t become overwhelmed, but use their resourcefulness to resolve the challenges. And believe me, there are many! I am absolutely in awe of the inventiveness of the members of our Executive Team: Lois, Kevin, Fr. Jack and Mary Pat, along with our Administrators: Denise, Chris, Joe, Michael, Tina, Geana and Abby. Together they have not only kept our children and adults safe, but also have creatively joined together to motivate our wonderful staff to not only come to work – but maintain the safety levels of the “new normal” here at Misericordia. Additionally, they continue to “brainstorm” ways to compensate for the great losses to our yearly budget, due to cancellations or changes of so many of our fundraisers in response to restrictions put upon us due to Covid-19.
These last three months have been difficult for all of us! Please know how grateful we are for all of you. Your loving trust and generous involvement – at many different levels – makes this “time of uncertainty” manageable. Please continue to live in hope and know how blessed we all are!
God keep you safe and well! You are always in my prayers.
Lovingly,
Sr. Rosemary Connelly, RSM
Executive Director