Facilitative Leadership Training
30 May – 1 June 2024
Lavella Centre, Rosalie
Mercy Partners Formation was building and developing new skills at the Facilitative Leadership Training at the Lavella Centre, Rosalie when Libby Blom put her training wheels on to support the facilitation of this event lead by Sr Margaret Endicott rsm and Pam Searle (EREA – Flexi Schools). The three-day program is based on the work of Kouzes and Posner, Presencing Institute/Otto Sharmer/Theory U, Pope Francis/Laudato Si and the Technology of Participation. It is offered in the context of an Eco-Justice way of living and leading. The next opportunity to participate in this training will be in Melbourne from Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 October.
Sacred Heart College, Geelong
30 May 2024
ONLINE
This event was open to all staff of Sacred Heart College Geelong to engage in a staff spirituality event. Caroline Thompson presented on the topic: The path of mercy building cultures of peace. Sr Margie Abbott rsm was also in attendance and it was lovely to spot her in the audience encouraging us in the work we do!
Staff Formation Afternoon
29 May 2024
All Hallows School
Caroline Thompson attended the All Hallows School staff formation afternoon on Wednesday 19th May. The theme for the event was Listen with Curiosity, Speak with Courage, Act with Integrity: Catherine McAuley Cultures of Peace.
Mercy Partners 4th Annual Indigenous Encounter Day
22 May 2024
St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Garbutt
Over 60 participants from ministries across Townsville joined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and religious leaders to participate in a day of listening, connection and reconciliation at the 4th Annual Indigenous Encounter Day at Saint Teresa’s Church, Garbutt.
On Wednesday 22 May the day began with acknowledgement, welcome and prayer. The morning session featured a keynote address by Fr Frank Brennan SJ on the topic: “Where to from No?”
We then enjoyed presentations from Carl Lymburner, leader of the Aboriginal Men’s Healing Group, who shared with us how his work has grown since we first met him and Zacarias Nogar in 2021. Fr Manh Le SVD, who was assigned to St Anne’s Parish on Palm Island, also shared his reflections and hopes for the future.
The final session of the day was led by Aunty Dulcie Isaro who shared, through her artwork, the story of her early years as a child on Palm Island before they were removed and sent to Woorabinda, Central Queensland.
The participants included Mercy Partners Townsville ministries’ board members and leaders from St Patrick’s College Townsville, Mater Hospital, Mercy Community and local Sisters of Mercy.
Bishop Tim Harris and many diocesan clergy also attended throughout the day, as well as representatives from St Vincent de Paul, Caritas, Catholic Mission, Holy Spirit Sisters and Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH Sisters) and local parishioners.
The day was a meaningful and reflective experience, with a focus on prayer, storytelling, building connections and planning for the continuing journey.
The Garbutt Catholic community, Trudy Clarke and Mercy Partners are dedicated to working together to support this important annual event.
To know more about this event please read Mercy Moment #170 entitled: Upswelling of Support. https://www.mercypartners.org.au/mercy-moments/upswelling-of-support/
Front row (L-R) Carl Lymburner, Aunty Dulcie Isaro, Fr Manh Li, Back row (L-R) Fr Rod Ward, Geoff Gowdie, Bishop Timothy Harris, Dr Caroline Thompson, Trudy Clarke and Fr Frank Brennan SJ
Ecclesial Movements and PJPs
16 May 2024
Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo
Dr Caroline Thompson and Libby Blom were invited to present at the Holy Spirit Seminary Transitional Program (diaconate to presbyterate) on Thursday 16th May. The theme of this event was: “Diocesan Agencies, Ecclesial Movements, Eastern Churches, Safeguarding and other matters,” with the intent to strengthen understanding and collaboration between the Diocese and other Church entities.
We really enjoyed the opportunity to speak about Pontifical and Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (PJP), of which Mercy Partners is both.
We discussed the following to explain the history and role of Mercy Partners and the interrelatedness between us and ‘the diocese’:
- PJPs are first and foremost agencies of the Church granted specific canonical authority
- Mercy Partners are the canonical sponsor and civil owner of ministries founded by the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, Presentation Sisters of Queensland, Sisters of Mercy Brisbane, Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Sisters of Mercy Parramatta, Sisters of Mercy North Sydney, The Carmelite Province of Our Lady Help of Christians, Australia and Timor-Leste
- Steward Representatives and Board Directors are selected for their ability to hold and exercise canonical authority according to requirements of canon law
- PJPs make a practical and financial contribution to church priorities and developments (e.g., Catholic Professional Standards Ltd, national and state education, health and community service agencies).
- Mercy Partners is currently one of 13 PJPs in Australia
- PJPs collaborate to ensure the mission is protected
- Mercy Partners Formation’s practical ways in which we continue to fulfill God’s mission for the Church
- We are all pilgrims on the road together (Syn – hodos) and we have legitimate co-responsibility for the church’s being and action. You can’t have one without the other (p94). A New Vocabulary: Delta, Omicron, Co-responsibility, Synodality, Tony Hanna, 2022
And we asked the following questions to foster and engage in effective relationships between the diocese and Mercy Partners:
- Why do we need new ecclesial structures?
- Why do you need to know this?
- How do you see yourself working alongside a PJP?
The conversations and questions were enlightening as we connected and discovered the common threads that make the Catholic Church such a rich and beautiful tapestry in which we all share in its care and flourishing.
Next month the transitional deacons pictured above will be ordained in Brisbane (7 June) and Townsville (13 June) by respectively, Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Bishop Tim Harris.
Photo Details from left to right: Deacon Brad, Deacon Will, Bishop Robert McGuckin (retired Bishop of Toowoomba), Pat Keady (Moderator Emmanuel Community, Caroline Thompson, Fr Neil Muir (Rector, Holy Spirit Seminary, Brisbane), Libby Blom and Deacon Michael.
Holy Cross Services Board and Leaders Meeting
14 May 2024
Brisbane, QLD
Director of Formation Caroline Thompson, attended the Holy Cross Services Board and Leaders meeting on Tuesday 14th May. The group discussed Building Cultures of Peace in response to national and international events and the prevalence of violence in our world. Using St Francis and Catherine McAuley as exemplars of peacemakers, the participants examined principles of peace for family, community and workplace situations.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta, Board Formation Meeting
13th May 2024
MP Board Chair Dr Ricki Jefferey and Director of Formation Dr Caroline Thompson, attended the OLMC Board Meeting for a formation session with directors.
They also had the privilege of attending the Mothers’ Day Mass celebrated that afternoon.
