Connected: A Gathering of Vision, Mission, and Shared Purpose
In late March, the leaders of Mercy Partners ministries from across the eastern seaboard came together for the 2026 Mercy Partners Ministry Board Chairs Gathering— an event shaped by collaboration, reflection, and a deep commitment to stewarding Catholic ministries into the future.
Held in Brisbane with a theme of Connection, the gathering commenced with a warm and convivial dinner on Tuesday evening, giving Board Chairs and Mercy Partners representatives the chance to reconnect, welcome new faces, and reaffirm the strong relationships that underpin this shared mission. With attendees representing education, health, aged care and community disability services, social enterprise and social justice ministries, the room reflected the diversity and vibrancy of the multi-charism ministries across Australia.
Wednesday’s formal program opened with words of welcome from the Mercy Partners Board Chair, Ricki Jeffery. This was followed by an Acknowledgement of Country and prayerful reflection on the servant leadership modelled by Jesus at the last supper by the Director of Formation, Kate Garrone. These early moments set a tone of groundedness—anchoring the day’s discussions in gratitude, respect, and faith.
A highlight of the morning was a keynote from The Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay, Archbishop of Brisbane, who spoke to the central role of ministry Boards as leaders of Catholic ministries in today’s evolving landscape. His reflections invited attendees to consider not only governance responsibilities but also the spiritual and ethical leadership intrinsic to board service.
The mid-morning sessions led by Prof Lee‑Anne Perry, Cath Bartolo, and Kate Garrone turned attention to the practicalities of living mission within governance. Discussions on accessibility, mission alignment, and the emerging Ministry Boards Formation for Mission Policy and Framework underscored the organisation’s commitment to supporting the ministry Boards in ongoing Formation and clarity of purpose.
These sessions served as valuable touchpoints, reminding participants that governance in Catholic ministries is both a responsibility and a privilege—guiding organisations that have shaped communities for generations.
In the afternoon, Ricki Jeffery led a session exploring Mercy Partners’ 2026–2028 Strategic Priorities, presenting a unified vision for the years ahead—one grounded in mission alignment, sustainable governance, and the ongoing strengthening of mission‑led service in contemporary settings.
The afternoon continued with a return to strategic focus through an update on the Ministry Board Liaison structure, designed to ensure Boards remain supported, connected, and well‑informed. This was followed by a briefing from Patricia Bergin on the Nudgee Trust, offering valuable insights into the work underway as part of the grant review and the transition to an online grant application process.
Finally, the gathering came to a close in prayer, once again led by Kate Garrone—bookending the day with a blessing of our Chairs, the vital role they play in realising our share mission of contributing to the emergence of a world where the healing, liberating and life-giving Mercy of God is experienced.
