In September this year, the Stewards and Board of Mercy Partners met for a day of formation. This year the Chair of the Stewards, Sr Margaret Endicott and the Chair of Mercy Partners Board, Dr Ricki Jeffery, designed and led this formation session.
After our Acknowledgement of Country, we prayed a Mercy Partners Thanksgiving Prayer which was written by Sr Berneice Loch in 2008 as we moved towards the approval of Mercy Partners from Rome.
With uplifted hearts, hearts full of gratitude,
We sing this prayer of Thanksgiving.
May it rise to you, Gods of Gifts and Grace.
We are thankful
For times of stillness which allow us to listen to your creative love
Flowing in the heart of universe.
These times of quiet heal us, within and without.
Strengthen our spirit with renewed hope and joy.
We are thankful for the opportunity we have of working together
For the Common Good of Mercy Partners,
A new little piece with your creation,
Which we hope will serve your mission and
Spread the message of your mercy to all whom it will touch.
Thank you for justice, for compassion, for respect, for hope,
And for all the unheeded touches of your grace.
At our session we began looking at some key aspects of the beginning years, the preparation and establishment of Mercy Partners. In 2006 the four Sisters of Mercy Congregation wrote the following Statement of Intent which highlights the reason they articulated for the establishment of a Ministerial Public Juridic Person.
- The hope we experience in seeing many lay people respond with enthusiasm and dedication to the call to take leadership and responsibility within these ministries
- Our conviction that the vision expressed in Vatican II of lay people taking increased leadership in the Church and its ministries can be furthered through our actions.
- Our hope to see these ministries continue to exist, to grow strong and to flourish in the name of Jesus and true to the vision of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters who founded and developed them.
- Our hope to set up a future structure that could be open enough to include other congregations with a similar vision and purpose as ours if they desire to join us.
When looking over all the years since then, it was clear to see that all these hopes were being achieved, including now four different charisms and multi ministries within Mercy Partners. One other key feature of Mercy Partners that has grown, developed and changed, is the Formation Program. The resources and programs have ensured the ongoing development of Catholic identity within the ministries of Mercy Partners.
Time was also spent on looking at the Roles and Responsibilities of both the Stewards and Mercy Partners Board. We compared these and identified how each group understood the roles, the overlaps and ways that we can ensure we continue to build relationships and contribute to the life and growth of Mercy Partners together. The Synodal process was used to reflect on Chapter 3 of the Theological Framework ‘Relation of Mercy Partners to the Mission of the Church’. This is a very significant chapter in the framework and speaks strongly to the commitment of Mercy Partners Board and its ministries to act in communion with the mission within the church.
Feedback from the session was very positive and dates have been set for July next year when we continue to deepen collaboration and working for the common good of Mercy Partners into the future.
Sr Margaret Endicott rsm
Steward Representatives Chair
Mercy Partners
