Formation for Mission: Building on Strong Foundations
As the newly appointed Director of Formation, I am excited to join Mercy Partners at a pivotal time in the evolution of our approach to Formation with our ministries. This moment offers an opportunity to consolidate the strong foundations built through the dedicated work of Mercy Partners who have consulted extensively with our ministries to shape an innovative framework for Governance Formation for Mission.
I extend sincere gratitude to Cath Bartolo for her generous handover and the significant leadership she has provided in advancing Mercy Partners’ Formation agenda. Over many years, a substantial body of Formation resources and practices has been developed by Mercy Partners, providing valuable insights and a rich legacy upon which we now continue to build.
Guided by the newly endorsed Formation for Mission Policy and Framework for Trustee Directors, and the Ministry Board Formations for Mission Policy and Framework my focus in my first few weeks has been beginning to plan and develop the next phase of our Formation initiatives. Initially, a key part of this work is the creation of a suite of Catholic Identity Formation sessions designed to strengthen the mission focus and governance capacity of our Ministry Boards.
Working in close collaboration with our Formation Consultants — Lisa McDonald, Jenni Hickson, and Christine Clarke — and with Cath Bartolo representing the Mercy Partners Board, I recently led two days of strategic and creative planning. This formative collaboration has set a clear pathway for developing Formation that is relevant, transformative, and firmly grounded in our shared mission to contribute to world where the healing, liberating, and life-giving mercy of God is experienced.
In my first month, I have greatly valued connecting with Mission Leaders within and across our ministries. Their commitment and insights continue to shape our collective endeavour to offer prophetic, wholehearted, and future-oriented Formation that strengthens our identity, governance, and mission in the spirit of Mercy.
