Formation Support

The Mercy Partners Formation Directorate offers a range of programs, events, resources and support for leaders in Mercy Partners ministries to foster and incorporate the founding congregations culture, values, charism and Catholic identity.

Formation Brochure

Our Mercy Partners Formation brochure provides an overview of the four core formation services available to our ministries along with details of formation opportunities for leaders of mission.

Formation Opportunities

Mercy Partners Formation offers a wide range of formation opportunities, resources and support for your ministry to access ‘by request’.

Formation Video Series

Mercy Partners has produced three videos on Leadership and Governance, Leadership and Catholic Identity and Mission which have been developed specifically for our ministry’s Board, Executive and Leadership teams.

Partners in Mission:   A Handbook for Leaders of Mercy Partners Ministries

The first book in the Partners in Mission Series: A Handbook for Directors offers leaders information concerning canon law expectations in the area ecclesiastical goods, stable patrimony and reserved powers in this area. The publication recognises that ministries sponsored by a PJP have clear responsibilities under Canon Law.

Partners in Mission:  Leadership Succession

The second book in the Partners in Mission Series: Leadership Succession outlines the importance of strategies for identifying forming, inducting and supporting directors on ministry boards. This practical resource provides questions to assist you in discussing implications of leadership succession with your Board.

Leadership in Mission Charism Series – Mercy

The second book in the Charism Series: Be as Shining Lamps – Preserving, Nurturing, Reimagining the Mercy Charism, was launched by Mercy Partners on 16 November 2022. This practical handbook provides key information on the life of Catherine McAuley along with reflections, prayers, liturgies, worksheets and suggestions for preserving the Mercy Charism into the future.

Leadership in Mission Charism Series – Presentation

Mercy Partners Formation is delighted to launch the first book in the Charism Series: Keep the Lantern Burning – Preserving, Nurturing, Reimagining the Presentation Charism. This practical handbook provides key information on the life of Nano Nagle along with reflections, prayers, liturgies, worksheets and suggestions for preserving the Presentation Charism into the future.

Prayer Resources

Mercy Partners Formation develops an annual Prayer Resource for use with ministry leaders, directors and staff in meetings and gatherings. Prayer is an important part of any meeting for focus, to reinforce Catholic identity and to call God’s blessing on the proceedings. Prayer time is also formative as it allows those present to examine aspects of life, faith and experience. Mercy Partners prayer resources have been popular with ministries across Australia because they provide a set of prayers (10 copies of each individual prayer) packaged ready for use in meetings. The prayers allow the focus on a particular theme or aspect of Gospel life, such as Laudato Si, Catholic Social Teaching and the Parables, enabling prayer to be both spiritually enriching and a catalyst for learning.

Prayer Resource – Fratelli Tutti

This prayer resource is based on Pope Francis’ third encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”. This resource is a call to build a culture of peace and dialogue, it explores the following themes: Dark clouds over a closed world; A stranger on the road, Envisaging and engendering an open world; A heart open to the whole world; A better kind of politics; Dialogue and friendship in society; Paths of renewed encounter; Religions at the service of our world; and Final words.  

Prayer Resource – Corporal Works of Mercy

This prayer resource is a call to live the Corporal Works of Mercy, it explores the following themes:  An overview of the Corporal Works of Mercy, Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Welcome the stranger, Visit the imprisoned, Visit the sick, Bury the dead, Care for our common home. The featured artworks on each card are by artist Kaye Redman www.kayeredman.com  

Prayer Resource – Spiritual Works of Mercy

This prayer resource is a call to live the Spiritual Works of Mercy, it explores the following themes:  An overview of the Spiritual Works of Mercy, Comfort the sorrowful, Counsel the doubtful, Instruct the uninformed, Admonish the Sinner, Bear wrongs patiently, Forgive offences willingly, Pray for the living & the dead, Care for creation. The featured artworks on each card are by artist He Qi www.heqiart.com. 

Prayer Resource – Parables

This prayer resource features the following nine parables: The Sower, The Labourers in the Vineyard, The Sheep and the Shepherd, The Good Samaritan, The Merciful Father (Prodigal Son), The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus, The Judge and the Widow, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the Temple, and The Mustard Seed as well as an introduction to Jesus use of parables in his ministry.

Prayer Resource – Ancient Wisdom, Set 1

This prayer resource explores the following themes derived from Ancient and Indigenous Wisdom: Connections to Earth and Cosmos, Attentiveness and Presence, Community, Seeking the Way, Uluru Statement from the Heart  – Sacred Land, Uluru Statement from the Heart  – We seek to be heard, Story-telling, Sacred Living, and Protection.

Prayer Resource – Ancient Wisdom, Set 2

This prayer resource explores the following themes derived from Ancient and Indigenous Wisdom: Connection, Hospitality, Ritual and Celebration, Sacred Symbols, Prayer, Friendship, Creativity, Childhood, Pilgrimage, and Sacred Places.

Prayer Resource – Laudato Si’

This prayer resource is focussed on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ and its challenge to the world about the treatment of the environment and all of creation. It explores the following themes: Everyone and Everything Matters, Connectedness: We are all Part of Creation, The Legacy and Gift of St Francis of Assisi, The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis, The Situation is Serious, Climate Change Harms the Poor, Solidarity: Working Together for Earth, The Challenge of Technology, The Throwaway Culture, and Towards a New Theology.

Prayer Resource – Catholic Social Teaching

Each card in this prayer resource focuses on one of the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Catholic Social Teaching An Introduction, Life and dignity of the human person, The Common Good, Solidarity – love of neighbour, Dignity of work and the rights of workers, The Promotion of Peace, Call to Family, Community and Participation, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, Care for God’s creation, and Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person.

To access our policies, protocols and procedures, along with forms and templates, please click on the tabs below.