Catholic Health Australia National Conference
26-29 August 2024, Sydney
On 26-28 August 2024, Catholic Health Australia held their “Rejoice Reimagine” National Conference in Sydney. The conference is a unique opportunity for industry leaders within the Catholic health, aged and community care sectors to gather to discuss what they have learned over the past year and assess the challenges that lie ahead. The conference comes at a crucial time for Australia’s health and aged care sector. The industry is being squeezed between rising costs of delivering care and falling income; a national health care policy that needs refocussing; and many of those at the margins of society – those who need health care the most – are falling between the cracks.
Mercy Partners Chair Ricki Jeffery, Board Director Steven Rubic and CEO John Leahy all attended the Conference and joined in the on the conversations with other Catholic health care providers on the challenges facing the health and aged care industries.
AMPJP Forum
25-26 August 2024, North Sydney
On 25 and 26 August 2024, the Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (AMPJP) held their annual Forum. Mercy Partners as a member of AMPJP is able to attend this event where attendees gather to network, receive input on key issues, and discuss responses to shared challenges and opportunities.
The Deputy Chair, Kieran McCarthy and Board Director, Cath Parker as the nominated Mercy Partners AMPJP representatives attended this event and enjoyed the opportunity to listen to Dr Jamie Caldner SJ and Dr Christiaan Jacobs- Vandegeer on Ecclesiology, Synodality and Ministerial Public Juridic Persons. In addition, the Forum provided the members with an opportunity to listen to AMPJP Strategic Directions for 2025-2027.
Kieran and Cath also enjoyed attending the Forum dinner where they had the pleasure of listening to Susan Pascoe AM, member of the Vatican Commission on Methodology planning for the Synod on Synodality, who spoke to Synodality.
The Forum provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with other members of the AMPJP.
Attendees in one of the sessions at the AMPJP Forum.
Representatives at the AMPJP Forum.
St Ursula’s College Board Formation
24 August, Yeppoon
On Saturday, 24 August, Mercy Partners Chair, Ricki Jeffery and Director of Formation, Caroline Thompson facilitated a formation session with the Board of St Ursula’s College. The session focussed on building a culture of peace on a Board with inspiration being was taken from the lessons of Nano Nagle and St Francis of Assisi.
The formation session also provided an opportunity to connect and build relationships with the St Ursula’s College Board.
St Rita’s College Board Formation
10 August, Brisbane
On Saturday, 10 August, Mercy Partners Chair, Ricki Jeffery and Director of Formation, Caroline Thompson facilitated a formation session with the St Rita’s College Board. The key focus topics discussed at the session included Governance, What is a PJP and What is the Role of a Board of a Mercy Partners Ministry. The formation session also provided an opportunity to connect and build relationships with the St Rita’s College Board.
Assembly of Catholic Professionals Luncheon
6 August 2024, Brisbane
The Mercy Partners Board recently hosted a table at the Assembly of Catholic Professionals luncheon and enjoyed the company of the Mercy Community Chair – Rowena McNally and Mater Chair – Patrick Brady. The lunch was an opportunity to catch up with the ministry chairs and share a meal together while they enjoyed listening to the lunch guest speaker, distinguished American legal scholar, author, and advocate, Helen Alvare. Helen shared her thoughts on advocacy for the vulnerable, and her dedication to the principles of justice and equality.
St Patrick’s College NAIDOC Community Celebration
7 August 2024, Townsville
Mercy Partners Board Director, Cath Parker had the pleasure of attending the St Patrick’s College 2024 NAIDOC Community Celebration on Wednesday, 7 August. The celebration included a traditional family dinner, cultural dance performance and market stall holders and was filled with joy, laughter, and a wonderful display of culture.
Cath Parker loved the opportunity to join the College community for this event and celebrate how fortunate the College is to be enriched with diverse backgrounds, allowing the College community to come together and celebrate this precious culture and shared knowledge.
