From the Archive: Postcard from Fr. Quille

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 by Joe Hallissey

Tagged archive     Posted in 125th anniversary     Comments: Leave a comment

Leader Council Celebrates 10 years, graduates at Luncheon

Friday, May 11, 2012 by Mark Schmeltzer

Leader Council, Mary Dempsey Celebrate 10 years

What: 10th Annual Leader Council Graduates’ Luncheon

When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

Who: Founding Leader Council Chair, philanthropist and former Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library Mary Dempsey provides keynote address. Newsradio 780 WBBM-AM Chicago’s Felicia Middlebrooks emcees.

Why: To celebrate the accomplishments of our young men and women who are graduating from elementary and high schools, vocational schools and colleges and to support the academic success of all young people at Mercy Home. 

Join the members of the Leader Council on May 22 as they celebrate 10 years of empowering youth through education. Founding chairman Mary Dempsey will provide the keynote speech at this special anniversary edition of the Leader Council Graduates’ Luncheon. The event is the Leader Council’s signature annual fundraiser for Mercy Home.

In 2002, Fr. James J. Close and Fr. Scott Donahue approached Dempsey, a longtime friend of the Home, and asked her to help them organize a group of prominent women who would help us generate greatly needed support for our educational programs. A strong advocate for the power of education to transform young lives, Dempsey graciously accepted. During her tenure, the Council grew dramatically and today draws members from among the top levels of Chicago’s business and civic institutions.

Leader Council members donate their time, talent, financial support and professional resources to open doors to academic and vocational opportunities for Mercy Home’s children. These accomplished professionals work throughout the year with our young people, mentoring them and guiding them in school and career planning through events like its annual job skills workshop, held each spring. Thanks to their efforts, young people from severely disadvantaged circumstances have gone on to succeed in higher education and have secured good jobs.

Graduation is a milestone that many of our young people might have thought unatainable before coming to live with us. But with the academic, as well as therapeutic support that they receive at the Home, they catch up and excel. Last year, for example, 100% of our high school seniors graduated.

And, they are taking the next step—college.

The list of colleges that have sent acceptances to Mercy Home’s seniors this year include Northern Illinois University, DePaul University, Saint Xavier University, Lake Forest College, Kendall College, Elmhurst College, Trinity Christian College, Indiana State University, Marian College, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, University of Iowa, Marymount Manhattan College, Western Illinois University and Xavier University.

 

Tagged     Posted in Mentoring     Comments: Leave a comment

30th Anniversary Mass Celebrates Fr. Scott’s Ministry

Thursday, May 10, 2012 by Mark Schmeltzer

Family, Friends Honor Fr. Scott at 30th Anniversary Mass

Historic Holy Family Church on Chicago’s near West Side was standing room only on April 29 as Mercy Home President Fr. Scott Donahue celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination as a Catholic priest.  An estimated 1,000 friends, family, coworkers, and supporters filled the pews and folding chairs set up in the back of the church to celebrate this milestone and this mission of Mercy, which has accounted for 22 of Fr. Scott’s 30 years of priestly service.

Concelebrating Fr. Scott’s 30th anniversary Mass were Most Reverend, Raymond E. Goedert, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Monsignor Michael M. Boland, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Monsignor John Canary, Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Reverend Mark Francis, csv , The Superior General of the Viatorian Community and the Reverend Jeremiah Boland, Pastor of Holy Family Parish. Young people from Mercy Home served as alter servers, gift bearers, and petitioners. Fr. Scott’s brother Peter Donahue gave the first reading, and coworker Sr. Diane O’Donnell gave the second.

In his homily, Fr. Scott reflected on the ways that everyone gathered shared in his personal ministry. Drawing inspiration from the feast day of the Good Shepherd, which was Sunday, Fr. Scott said that when we listen to the voice of the Shepherd, Jesus, we become one flock, and “together we show the world the best of who we are. We care for one another. We nurture one another.” The key to his ministry, Fr. Scott said, has been listening, especially to our young people and their stories. He said that when he listens “I learn. I grow. I change.” He then called upon everyone to continue to pay attention and participate fully in life–to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd; to the invitation to love. By doing so, our lives will be made better and we will love more deeply.

Mercy Home Board of Regents Chairman Darryl Schimeck congratulated Fr. Scott on this special occasion and compared the challenges involved in running an organization like Mercy Home with the walking on a high wire. “Fr. Scott faces the challenges of a typical CEO…without losing sight of the fact that he is the spiritual center of this great Catholic institution.” Schimeck said that the job of leading Mercy Home requires incredible balance, with 125 years of successful history on one side of the wire, and the need to innovate and evolve on the other.

Fr. Scott credited and gave thanks to many for keeping him forever focused on the course ahead, saying that he continues to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd. “All I’ve ever tried to do is follow the path that God has shown me, and through it all I’ve been blessed by the love, friendship and prayers of my family, loved ones — and incredible friends like you.” He expressed his deepest gratitude to his coworkers and board members, whose insights have also helped guide his ministry at Mercy Home.

A reception was held after Mass at St. Ignatius College Prep, next door to Holy Family Church. Mercy Home would like to thank those who made this celebration a success, including our gracious hosts, the Reverend Jeremiah Boland, Pastor of Holy Family Church and the Reverend Michael Caruso, S.J., President of St. Ignatius College Prep, and Rich Daniels, Bradford Newquist and our musicians.

Fr. Scott asked that in lieu of gifts supporters would consider making a donation to our Legacy of Learning campaign.

Tagged Fr. Scott Donahue, Legacy of Learning     Posted in Education, Events, Mentoring     Comments: Leave a comment

Seniors Look toward Graduation and Beyond

Friday, May 4, 2012 by Joe Hallissey

We love this time of year—when almost every day brings with it another college acceptance letter or invitation to senior prom. So many of our kids are wrapping up their last year in high school and are busy preparing for the opportunities that await beyond our walls, thanks to good friends like you. These days, our halls are buzzing with excitement—for graduation, for college, for a future these kids never knew they’d have before coming to our Home.

One of our boys, Mohamed, recently decided on Elmhurst College for the fall. “I had the opportunity to try out for the soccer team, a sport which I am really passionate about,” he said. “They also offered me a scholarship which in my case is a huge break. Since I’m an international student, I’m not eligible for any type of student loan. I am really happy with my decision.”

Like any family, our Mercy Home family is tremendously proud of each young man and woman who will be crossing the stage to accept their diploma this year. Later this month our seniors—along with our 8th graders—will be honored for their academic achievements at our 10th Annual Leader Council Graduates’ Luncheon.

Education is so important at Mercy Home and it’s a critical component in our children’s care—instilling in them a confidence they’ve never before had, and giving them the opportunity to build for a brighter, more successful future.

For any graduating senior, this time of year promises to be one of great change and growth. Additionally for our kids, it’s also an incredible reminder of the strength, courage and perseverance they’ve harnessed to overcome the pain of their pasts.

Our Mercy Home family is grateful beyond measure to see our seniors so excited about this moment in their lives. Many thanks to good friends like you, whose support and partnership put great achievements like these within reach for our children.

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Career Programs Pay ‘Massive Dividends’ for Youth

Friday, May 4, 2012 by Joe Hallissey

How do we teach our young people to become self reliant? By giving them opportunities to see the world of work first hand. And you can play a part.

Learn how our internship and summer jobs programs are helping kids build successful futures, and how earning valuable work experience impacts so many other areas of their lives.

 

Tagged career resources, video     Posted in Education     Comments: Leave a comment