Mercy Sister Rosemary Connelly, longtime president of Misericordia Heart of Mercy and champion of people with developmental disabilities, died on June 19. She was 94. Born on Feb. 23, 1931, in Chicago, to Bridget and Peter V. Connelly from County Mayo, Ireland, she grew up in a family rooted in faith and service and joined the Sisters of Mercy at 18. In 1959, Sister Rosemary earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Saint Xavier University. She earned a master’s degree in sociology from St. Louis University in 1966 and a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago in 1969. When Sister Rosemary was appointed administrator at Misericordia Heart of Mercy on Chicago’s South Side in 1969, there were no services for children with disabilities. So she started a variety of programs designed to help the children there achieve the highest level of independence possible. In 1976, Sister Rosemary, 39 children and 35 dedicated staff members moved to the former site of Angel Guardian Orphanage on the North Side at 6300 N. Ridge Ave. Today, Misericordia serves more than 600 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more than 50 years, Sister Rosemary guided Misericordia through enormous growth, touching and ultimately changing the lives of thousands of children, families and supporters in the process. Always humble, Sister Rosemary credited her staff and the residents themselves for making Misericordia an extraordinary place, providing exceptional programs for those who need its services, giving peace of mind to families and sharing its mission with supporters across the country. “At Misericordia, we look upon each one of our children and adults as a person with individual needs, feelings, aspirations, limitations and gifts,” Sister Rosemary said. “Each one is unique, a gift to us today, a loving a loved person made by God with a purpose in life — no matter how wrapped in mystery that purpose is. We believe, we accept, we love each person and we are a better people because they have touched our lives.” Sister Rosemary lived out the Catholic belief that every person is created in God’s image and worthy of dignity, Cardinal Cupich said in a June 20 statement. “A fearless pioneer in making that core value real in the lives of the people she served and their families, she created innovative programs and gathered the resources to bring them to life. Renowned for her indefatigable work ethic, she was an irresistible advocate who raised awareness about the challenges and inequities facing people with disabilities. In doing so, she altered the existing paradigm, shaking society from prejudices that had governed decisions for centuries,” Cardinal Cupich said. “While she received numerous awards for her work, we will remember Sister Rosemary foremost as the heart of the Heart of Mercy. We vow to carry on her work and invite all to join us.” Sister Rosemary was awarded the University of Notre Dame's 2023 Laetare Medal, considered the oldest and most prestigious honor given to an American Catholic. She also received numerous honorary degrees, awards and honors throughout her life. Her funeral was scheduled for June 24 at Holy Name Cathedral.
Gardens at Misericordia enrich residents’ lives The gardens outside the residential homes on Misericordia’s North Side campus are more than just pretty spaces. They are places where residents can grow their own fruits and vegetables, can explore nature through their senses, can do yoga or therapy and more.
Thousands turn out for Misericordia’s annual Family Fest Over 10,000 people turned out for Misericordia Heart of Mercy’s annual Family Fest on Sept. 10 on its campus at 6300 N. Ridge Ave. The event is the agency’s biggest fundraiser and organizers expected to bring in $1 million.
Misericordia’s Sr. Rosemary Connelly to receive ND’s Laetare Medal Mercy Sister Rosemary Connelly, the former longtime executive director of Misericordia Home and a well-known member of the Chicago community, will receive national recognition for her work with people with developmental disabilities when she receives the University of Notre Dame’s highest honor, the Laetare Medal, during the university’s commencement ceremony on May 19.