Pope Francis. Photo credit: Daniel Ibáñez / CNA / EWTN News
ACU Webinar: Bioethics and moral philosophy in the Francis pontificate
6 May 2025, Online
Representatives from the Mercy Partners Board recently participated in the ACU webinar on Bioethics and moral philosophy in the Francis pontificate.
The webinar was held on the eve of the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor and featured three guest speakers who offered a critical appraisal of Pope Francis’ contribution and explore what he taught us about the human drama of health and illness.
AMPJP Wisdom Circle
15 and 22 May 2025, Sydney and Brisbane
Mercy Partners Board had the pleasure of attending the Association of Ministerial Public Persons (AMPJP) where they had the opportunity to share experiences and hear how others are addressing common issues and opportunities.
The evening also included hearing guest speaker, ACU Associate Professor Jamie Calder SJ, speak about his insights into Ministerial Public Juridic Persons as a Small Christian Community.
The Wisdom Circle concluded with a shared dinner enabling the conversations and connections to continue.
Mater Staff Long Service Awards
20 May 2025, Brisbane
Mercy Partners Board Director, Cheryl Caughley joined the Mater team to celebrate the dedication of Mater people, recognising their years of service to Mater’s Mission.
Their dedication and commitment to Mater is what allows Mater to deliver exceptional, compassionate care to patients from across Queensland.
Photo credit: Brody Grogan Photography
St Rita’s Day Mass
23 May 2025, Brisbane
St Rita’s College celebrated the feast day of St Rita of Cascia, after whom their college is named.
An Augustinian nun from 14th-century Cascia, Italy, St Rita is the patroness of impossible causes and hopeless circumstances because of her difficult life.
Mercy Partners Board Director, Cheryl Caughley joined the St Rita’s College community at their St Rita’s Day Mass to remember a great saint of the Church.
Ministry AGMs
12 and 26 May 2025, North Sydney, Townsville and Melbourne
As part of the governance Mercy Partners undertakes with its ministries, it is responsible for chairing each ministry’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). May was another busy month with three AGMs scheduled – Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, St Patrick’s College and Whitefriars College.
The Mont Sant’ Angelo Mercy College AGM was held on 12 May and was chaired by Mercy Partners Board Director, Jon Anderson. Then on 26 May there were two AGMs held parallel – St Patrick’s College in Townsville, chaired by Lee Anne Perry and Whitefriars College in Melbourne that was chaired by Patricia Bergin.
The Mercy Partners Board Directors always enjoy chairing the ministry AGMS as it provides them with an additional opportunity during the year to connect with the ministry Boards.
Mercy Partners Ministry Board Induction
22 May 2025, Brisbane
On 22 May 2025, Mercy Partners hosted an induction session for new ministry Board Directors. This session ran for two hours and provided ministry Board Directors and Leaders with a structured overview of the following:
- The history of Mercy Partners
- An overview of the Reserve Powers of Mercy Partners (being the Sole Member of each of their ministries)
- Ministry Reporting Responsibilities
- An introduction to the Mercy Partners Annual Ministry Planning Guide
- Overview of formation governance of Mercy Partners
- Ministry Board’s role in formation within their ministries
- Ministry Charisms
- Catholic Identity
- Mercy Partners Theological Framework
The induction session also provided the attendees with the opportunity to connect with other ministry Boards Directors and Leaders.
Australasian Secondary Mercy School Conference
29-30 May 2025, Perth
Mercy Partners Board Director, Lee Anne Perry attended the Australasian Secondary Mercy School Conference in Perth on 29-30 May to represent Mercy Partners as four of the nine Mercy Partners education ministries offer an education in the Mercy tradition.
The conference theme: Mercy: Community, Connection and Celebration, had a central focus on the importance of relationships and connection for high-performing leaders, teachers and learners. Lee Anne participated in multiple workshops on visionary leadership, Mercy culture audit, equity and inclusion and artificial intelligence – all of which were informative and thought provoking.
