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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate Sister Rosemary Connelly
4on receiving the 2023 Laetare Award from the University of
5Notre Dame; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary Connelly walked through
7Misericordia's doors for the first time in August of 1969; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary Connelly identified that there
9were no goals or challenges for the children to grow
10emotionally, psychologically, and educationally; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary Connelly contacted experts in
12academia and government, requesting their help in developing
13services and programs, but was told at every turn there were
14not programs for children with developmental disabilities; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Being told she should create her own programs for
16children with developmental disabilities, Sister Rosemary
17Connelly did, including building classrooms for primary
18education and developing programs for self-help skills, speech
19and physical therapy, and recreational activities; and
 
20    WHEREAS, In 1976, Sister Rosemary Connelly was in the

 

 

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1process of looking for a home for ambulatory children who did
2not require skilled nursing services that were provided at
3Misericordia; she sought a home-like setting where the
4children could develop independence; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The Archdiocese of Chicago offered a portion of
6the ceased 31-acre campus of the Angel Guardian Orphanage to
7Sister Rosemary Connelly, and she moved into the "North
8Campus" with 39 children; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Over 1,200 staff members and thousands of
10volunteers serve at the present Misericordia campus in the
11Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, serving over 600 children
12and adult residents; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The University of Notre Dame's president, Rev.
14John I. Jenkins, announced that Sister Rosemary Connelly will
15receive the 2023 Laetare Medal at the university's upcoming
16commencement ceremony; and
 
17    WHEREAS, This recognition is named for its announcement
18occurring during the celebration of Laetare Sunday, the fourth
19Sunday of Lent in the Catholic Church, and the medal has the
20inscription "Magna est veritas et praevalebit" meaning "Truth
21is mighty, and it shall prevail" in Latin; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The University of Notre Dame established this
2award in 1883 as an American counterpart to the Golden Rose
3papal honor and is awarded at Notre Dame to a Catholic "whose
4genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the
5ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity";
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, In his announcement of this award, Rev. Jenkins
8of Notre Dame stated that Sister Rosemary Connelly, with her
9characteristic tenacity, grace, and genius, has ensured that
10the residents of Misericordia have the quality of life and
11opportunities they deserve; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary Connelly transitioned to
13chairwoman of the board of the Misericordia Foundation from
14her previous role as executive director; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary Connelly has stated she is
16thankful that Misericordia exists, serving as a place where
17the children are respected and loved and the staff is very
18committed to them; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
20HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21we congratulate Sister Rosemary Connelly on receiving the 2023
22Laetare Award from the University of Notre Dame and for her

 

 

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1years of commitment and success to Misericordia Home; and be
2it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution may be
4presented to Sister Rosemary Connelly as an expression of our
5esteem and respect.