We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we walk, live and work. We recognise their living culture and their unique role in the life of the areas in which Mercy Partners ministries are located. We pay tribute to all of those who have nurtured this country over many thousands of years, deriving spiritual and physical needs from the seas, forests, soil, rivers, lakes and streams. We join with our First Nations people in honouring this land as sacred. We welcome the Uluru Statement from the Heart and support an Indigenous voice to parliament, enshrined in the Australian Constitution.
Sr Mary Franzmann pbvm
Chair and Steward Representative of the Queensland Presentation Sisters
Sr Mary Franzmann is the Congregation Leader of the Queensland Presentation Sisters. Sr Mary began her Ministry as a Secondary school teacher and taught Secondary school in Longreach, Yeppoon and Brisbane. After 18 years as a teacher, Sr Mary retrained as a parish pastoral worker and ministered for eight years in the mining town of Moranbah in the Rockhampton Diocese. In 2001, Sr Mary studied at All Hallows in Dublin, attaining a Master of Arts, Pastoral Leadership. On returning to Australia, she became the Director of Pastoral Planning in the Rockhampton Diocese.
From 2004 – 2009, Sr Mary was the Congregation Leader of the Presentation Sisters, Queensland. In 2010, Sr Mary worked in the Faith and Life Office in the Brisbane Archdiocese, taking responsibility for Pastoral Planning and the Formation of Parish Pastoral Councils.
Elected to the Leadership Team of the Congregation in 2014, Sr Mary became involved in the Formation Program of Brisbane Catholic Education, both in Guiding Lights – formation for Principals and school Leadership Teams, and Spirit Fire – formation program for APRE’s and teaching staff.
Sr Mary is presently Congregation Leader and a Steward Representative of Mercy Partners.