Historic first meeting of the Mercy Alliance Australia/New Zealand

Representatives from the four Mercy Ministerial Public Juridic Persons in Australia and New Zealand held their first ever in-person meeting in February in Melbourne.

Joining their hosts from Mercy Ministry Companions were two Trustees/Stewards from each of Mercy Care, Mercy Partners and Whānau Mercy Ministries. 

The Alliance was formed in 2021 after several years of discernment and dialogue, with the purpose of strengthening the collective expression of the Mercy mission in contemporary contexts in Australia and New Zealand.  This is done by collaborating on leadership, formation and governance and working together to ensure the Mercy charism continues to flourish.

Since 2021, they have built strong relationships, shared formation resources and opportunities, learned from each other’s governance structures and strategic challenges and participated actively in wider Mercy networks and initiatives.

Having met solely online from the beginning, it was agreed to convene in person for a deeper dive into the current challenges and insights.

One highlight from their time together was meeting with leaders from one of Mercy Ministry Companion’s ministries: MacKillop Family Services.  Robyn Miller (CEO) and Esmai Manahan (National Director of First Nations Practice and Partnerships) talked through the creation of their Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which outlines a three-year programme of listening, respecting, relationship building, truth-telling, healing, culture-change and accountable initiatives. 

The RAP is part of a wider campaign to close the gap in participation and achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over a range of dimensions to ensure healthy, safe and flourishing children, young people, families and communities.   They described an extensive process of engaging with indigenous elders and community organisations to enable deep listening, truth-telling, cultural insight and trust-building.  What was most impressive was their commitment to go local, meet with indigenous people in their own place and on their own terms and take the time to listen, learn and understand. 

Another highlight was group time with Gaby Kinsman, who coordinates Young Mercy Links in South Australia.  Gaby was appointed to the Board of Mercy International Association (MIA) in May 2024, so she was able to share an update on MIA's strategic priorities leading into the bi-centenary of the House of Mercy. 

A discussion was held on the shared commitment to open the doors of Mercy to a world hungry for welcome, connection, encounter, justice and care for our common home.  There was further discussion about initiatives to form lay people in the Mercy charism, while fostering community and engagement in mission.  

Other common priorities discussed included opportunities for joint formation, measuring the mission impact of ministries, finding and developing future Mercy leaders and ways of describing and expressing Catholic identity.

The convenor and Chair of Mercy Ministry Companions, Margaret Bounader, reflected at the close of the meeting on the palpable sense of shared stewardship of the Mercy charism and values that was present in discussions and on the importance of encounter to relationships, shared understanding and commitment to collaboration. 

The gathering concluded with a full agenda planned for the next year or two and a renewed appreciation for the genius of Catherine McAuley who continues to challenge and inspire 200 years after opening the House of Mercy.

ENDS

Photo: Mercy Trustee/Stewards with Gaby Kinsman in Melbourne, Australia.

Dilexit Nos, la encíclica de 2024 del Papa Francisco, ofrece una reflexión inspiradora sobre el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y cómo esta imagen familiar nos ayuda a meditar sobre cómo el amor humano y el amor divino coexisten como uno solo en la persona de Jesucristo. La imagen del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús conecta el tiempo y la eternidad, lo humano y lo divino, el ayer, hoy y mañana.

Anna Burke nos invita a volver al Sagrado Corazón para una segunda mirada. En quince reflexiones sobre los muchos aspectos del corazón —cósmico, auténtico, valiente, perdonador, renovador— nos anima a regresar y descubrir lo que es nuevo en cada siglo, antiguo en cada libro de historia y universal en cada lengua: el amor de Dios.

Con lecturas bíblicas sugeridas, referencias a Dilexit Nos y puntos de reflexión, La Imagen Viva es la guía perfecta para reconectarse con el Sagrado Corazón. A través del Sagrado Corazón, puedes fundamentar tu vida en lo que el Papa Francisco ha llamado “el principio unificador de toda la realidad”.

Anna Burke es una religiosa irlandesa de las Hermanas de la Misericordia. A lo largo de su carrera, su trabajo en enseñanza, desarrollo de la fe, reflexión sobre las Escrituras, capellanía escolar y escritura espiritual la ha llevado a Florida, EE. UU., Zambia, Sudáfrica e Irlanda. Ha escrito extensamente y publicado varios libros sobre reflexión espiritual.