From the Chair. diary date. EDITION 29 winter Greetings

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1 EDITION 29 winter 2016 CONTENTS 1 from the chair 2 editorial 3 hands of mercy 8 ministry updates 14 leadership formation program update 16 reflection dr raymond campbell chairperson, mercy partners council From the Chair Greetings I HAVE JUST returned from doing the Company Directors Course of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. The particular difference about this course is that it was co-sponsored by the Broken Bay Institute. Although containing all that you would expect from a Company Directors course, this course is aimed explicitly at Catholic not-for-profit organisations. Some of the case studies have been created explicitly for this course and all of the participants were from Catholic not-for-profit organisations. This was the pilot course and it was excellent. I draw your attention to this because BBI and AICD will be looking to offer this course in the future, and the next one will possibly be in Queensland. If you have not yet done a Directors Course, I highly recommend it. Since the last newsletter the Council has hosted three Year of Mercy functions in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville. These events have brought people together to reflect upon and celebrate the mercy of God and our collective mission. The feedback has been very positive and we are already planning next year s events. Our thanks to Judith and Caroline and the team at Mercy Partners office for organising the events. PHOTOS: ST PATRICK S COLLEGE, ST RITA S COLLEGE The Directors and Leaders Gathering was an exceptional event from Council s perspective, and I hope for the ministry leaders as well. Having so many dedicated Directors, CEOs and mission leaders together to discuss the nature of this enterprise we call Mercy Partners was both exciting and humbling. The energy for discussion and collaboration was certainly affirming for the Mercy Partners Councillors. For me, there was a chance to meet and listen to people and to express how I understand the mission of Mercy Partners and the sort of Church organisation that See From the Chair, page 2 diary date Jul-Aug 2016 Regional Year of Mercy Retreats (Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville); Oct 2016 Leadership Formation Program Completion 1 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29

2 judith gardiner executive officer, mercy partners From the Executive Officer OUR HANDS ARE vital to our experience of the world they touch and caress, hold children, earn us a living, prepare our food, wash our bodies, do our hair, look after our gardens, drive our cars. They hold, get bruised, give away, receive, experience pain. We decorate them, we hold the hands of children and lovers, touch the faces of the sick and dying. We use them when we talk, to express our feelings. We hold the hands of others when they grieve. We wipe away tears of sadness and joy. How special are our hands. We are nearly halfway through the Jubilee Year of Mercy, and in this edition of the Mercy Partners newsletter, we celebrate the hands of mercy those people who have lived and received the mercy of God in their lives! The hands of mercy are among us every day as we go about our daily life. They look after the sick with tenderness, forgive those who have hurt others, advocate for those who are poor and disadvantaged, create safe spaces for the marginalised and vulnerable and show the face of Christ. At the Year of Mercy gatherings convened in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville, we have heard some inspiring stories of mercy, and reflected on how we might be the door of mercy to people. These gatherings have brought people from the ministries together, and in some cases, people have continued to work together on collaborative projects of mercy. If Jesus is to live in our world, we must make Him known. We are his hands, his eyes, his arms that embrace humanity and creation. That is our shared mission: to bring the experience of the healing, life-giving and liberating mercy of God to the world. While we celebrate those who do this in our ministries, let us also ask ourselves how we may do more, and do better. from the chair Continued from page 1 HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR HANDS? HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE? we are building. It is, as I said, still beginning, even though the Council has been operating since The vision of the Sisters of Mercy to bring together not only their own ministries, but to welcome other Congregations, is I believe coming to fruition. Currently comprising eight ministries from different charisms and across health, aged care, community services and education Mercy Partners is a fairly unique organisation in the Church. As we move from our consolidating phase into a shared future, I trust that we will continue to see such energy for mission on every front. All ministries are experiencing Pope Francis lets fly a white dove in front of pilgrims following his weekly general audience in St Peter s Square at the Vatican on May 15, (AFP/Getty Images) In this edition of our newsletter we have the opportunity to see examples of the caring hands, helping hands, creative hands of mercy in our ministries. I think it is wonderful that when we look across the ministries we see so many vibrant people, spanning the generations, willing to give their time, expertise and compassion to help others in their time of need. Volunteers, employed staff, students all play their part. In this issue too we celebrate a special milestone with St Rita s College 90 Years of service to the Catholic community in Brisbane. And we profile the Mercy Partners Formation Committee ably led by Sr Marie Melville, a Mercy Partners Councillor. This group is responsible for progressing the Formation responsibilities of the Council. difficulties in the current economic situation, and this challenges us all as we seek to contribute to the healing, lifegiving and liberating experience of the mercy of God in our part of the world. Wishing you all God s blessings PHOTO MH&ACCQ Hands of Mercy Mary Wickham s beautiful poem, The Hand, reminds us of our compassionate and nurturing God who holds all people, indeed all of creation, in the hollow hand of unconditional and unalterable love. This love, lived outward, fuels acts of mercy (large and small) in our world. As Pope Francis states: We are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us. The call to mercy and love for everyone we meet, no matter what they have done, where they have come from or their beliefs and practices, has its foundation in the God who more than holds all people tenderly but has all of us carved into the very essence of God. In this special issue we thank the ministries for showing their stories of the hands of mercy. Helping Hands In this Year of Mercy, Volunteers are most certainly a visible and tangible sign in our facilities of the Hands of Mercy. Volunteers Week was held from 9 to 13 May 2016 and at the Rockhampton Mater, a morning tea was held to thank and acknowledge the time, energy and enthusiasm shown by our Volunteers day in and day out at the Rockhampton Mater Hospital. The Volunteers provide a much appreciated and valued service to staff, patients and families throughout all areas in the hospital. Together we strive to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by providing a high standard of holistic care consistent with community need. Please find attached a lovely photo of the Volunteers with Ian Mill and Sr Maria Jean Rhule in the background at a Morning Tea the Mater held for the Volunteers in Volunteers Week to say a huge thank you to them for their Hands of Mercy. The Hand * The hollow of the hand of God is webbed with the world s story the lace of pain, the lines of love scooped by ages of hospital grace, pulsing with the cosmic blood of the truest heart. Safe and snug, loved and learning love, is the one who rests there, a being repossessed of innocent trust, infinitely, infallibly, cradled. That is not quite what the good book says it makes a keener claim, the more bold since spoken by Isaiah s God the actual speech of the actual God not resting in the hollow of the hand the child, but carved, incised as inseparable, cut into the flesh and blood, deep as bone, one. * See Isaiah 49:16 Mary Wickham rsm. Reproduced with permission from Souvenirs of Spirit: Poems and Prayers I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. Abraham Lincoln 2 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 3

3 In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you the key or the door to open, except yourself. J Krishnamarti Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven. Pope Francis Heart of Mater Mary s story Creative Hands An arbour was built at one of Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland s aged care facilities, Leinster Place, from funds raised by the Friends of Mercy Aged Care. Leinster Place used the $2000 donation from the Friends of Mercy Aged Care to construct the arbour which is their Year of Mercy Project. The door at the back of the Arbour is Leinster Place s Year of Mercy Door. Sometimes acts of compassion and mercy may seem to come in the form of small and practical actions, but can make a big difference. Noticing a continual need for clothing for patients, Mary established Catherine s Room named for Sisters of Mercy Founder Catherine McAuley to provide fresh and clean clothing for Mater patients. I hadn t realised something as simple as a pair of shoes or a belt could help restore someone s dignity and respect. I provided a belt for an 80-year old man to wear home on the plane as he had lost weight and his pants did not fit. He was from rural Queensland, so was far from home and family. By being able to provide something so simple, we eased a worry which for him was a big deal, and allowed him to focus on being happy because he was going home! Generous Hands Skilled Hands Mater Centre for Neurosciences Team Mater Centre for Neurosciences and associated Mater teams generously donated their time and skills to improve the life of a Filipino patient suffering from a rare neurological condition known as Lubag. Neurosurgeon Dr Sarah Olson and Neurologist Dr Alex Lehn performed Deep Brain Stimulation on patient Gerhard Infante to help alleviate pain caused by the genetically inherited dystonia only seen in males on the island of Panay in the Philippines which causes debilitating Parkinsonism symptoms. Dr Olson and Dr Lehn were proud to donate their services in the tradition of Mercy for which Mater is renowned, to provide compassionate care to those who need it most. It depends what the driver is from your work that satisfies you and for both of us it s making a difference for people, said Dr Lehn. Four years ago, Mater epilepsy patient Peter, a foster parent to five young children, suffered his first seizure while hiking, with no memory of the event. Peter s epilepsy escalated until he was involved in a work accident, driving a boat into a pontoon with no recollection of the event afterwards. Peter was reviewed by Mater s Advanced Epilepsy Service, and recommended to undergo an SEEG procedure. Mater is one of only two hospitals in Australia that offer the procedure, which provides advanced monitoring and diagnostics by mapping the brain and localising areas of potential epileptic activity. Based on the two week evaluation following the procedure, Peter was referred for a left anterior temporal lobectomy, from which he recovered well. Six months after his initial presentation, and following surgery performed by the Mater Centre for Neurosciences team, Peter is now seizure-free. PHOTOS MATER MISERICORDIAE AND MH&ACCQ PHOTOS MATER MISERICORDIAE AND MH&ACCQ The Lenten display at Mackay Mater focussed on providing tangible support to those doing it very tough in the West as a result of the prolonged drought. Mackay Mater Executive Officer, Beth Thomas presenting Sr Lila Galvin with the proceeds of the drought fundraising efforts by Mackay Mater staff to be forwarded through Sr Lila to Sr Rita Connor who lives in Barcaldine and who will use the funds raised to support drought-affected families. Mater Mothers Supports The Nappy Collective Mater Mothers Hospitals recently donated Mater Nappies for families in crisis through a donation to The Nappy Collective, a community initiative designed to support families in need. The donation will provide 100 families with a full supply of nappies for a year, reflecting Mater s commitment to deliver on our Mission to meet the needs of the community. 4 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 5

4 ministry updates Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 6:7 Professor David McIntyre Mater s Director of Obstetric Medicine, Professor David McIntyre, was recently awarded the 2016 Norbert Freinkel Award by the American Diabetes Association for his research into diabetes and pregnancy. Professor McIntyre has focussed on diagnosing and treating diabetes in pregnancy and has been closely involved in translating research into clinical care. For Professor McIntyre, the most exciting and rewarding moments are helping women have a successful pregnancy and healthy baby. Women under-emphasise their own health while doing things for the family and community. We need to focus on supporting women and their own health as a foundation stone for their family s health, he said. Celebration of the Year of Mercy at Mater Rockhampton Each Ward at Mater Rockhampton was asked to make a banner or poster to highlight the significance of the Year of Mercy to the hospital. Shown at left is a sample of what the staff in the various Wards at the Rockhampton Mater put together to mark the Year of Mercy. Compassionate Hands Mater Hospital Bundaberg regularly holds a Memorial Service for the family and friends of those that have passed away in the care of the hospital. A recent such Service in this Jubilee Year of Mercy provided an opportunity for the Executive Officer to offer attendees an understanding of how the original spirit of mercy demonstrated by Catherine McAuley is still evident today within the facility. The legacy of Catherine McAuley is a very powerful ingredient in the compassion and care shown by our dedicated staff every day. There is a direct connection because those human values held so dearly by Catherine have continued to be the cornerstone of our facility since our commencement 70 years ago. To host your family member or friend during their final days is a responsibility we take very seriously and we believe that today s Service is integral in our ongoing role in providing the hands of mercy to our community. The Service includes readings, reflection and lighting of candles by family members and fellowship afterwards. Attendance is always high and gives many an opportunity to share the grieving process in a supportive and understanding environment. The response from family is always extremely positive and frequently emotional. Staff often also attend in their own time and find it a valuable and rewarding experience. PHOTOS MATER MISERICORDIAE AND MH&ACCQ PHOTO NBC NEWS.COM Mercy I think we too are the people who, on the one hand, want to listen to Jesus, but on the other hand, at times, like to find a stick to beat others with, to condemn others. And Jesus has this message for us: mercy. I think and I say it with humility that this is the Lord s most powerful message: mercy. Pope Francis, Homily on March 17, 2013 Mercy Partners Council Meets with Brisbane Ministry Leaders From left-right: Adjunct Professor Iyla Davies (All Hallows School Board Chair), Dr Ray Campbell (Mercy Partners Chair), Ms Dianne Hearn (Mercy Partners Councillor), Catherine O Kane (All Hallows School Principal); Dr Ray Campbell, Dr Shane Kelly (Mater Health Services CEO), Mr Vince O Rourke (Mater Health Services Deputy Chair) and Mr Les Jones (Mercy Partners Treasurer) Mercy Partners Council invited representatives from two Brisbane ministries, All Hallows School and Mater Health Services, to join them at their meeting on Wednesday June 8. These meetings with ministry Chairs and CEOs provide an opportunity to understand and discuss the achievements and challenges faced by the ministries. 6 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 7

5 Above: Dr Ray Campbell, Sr Catherine Reuter rsm (Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation Leader) and Mr Brian Flannery (Chairman, Mater Board); Below: The refurbished Whitty Building mater misericordiae Celebrating a new era of learning by Veena Herron The transformation of Mater s Whitty Building into a unique education precinct for Mater and The University of Queensland s medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health students was recently celebrated at a special blessing and opening event at Mater s South Brisbane campus. THE HERITAGE-LISTED WHITTY Building, constructed in 1911 as the first Mater Misericordiae Public Hospital, was refurbished to create a modern facility conducive to collaborative learning, without compromising its original architectural features, including original pressed metal ceilings and stained glass windows. After almost two years of works, the newly refurbished building was blessed by His Grace, The Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane at an opening which was attended by Queensland Health Director-General Michael Walsh, Chair Mercy Partners Council Dr Ray Campbell, Mater and UQ Board and Executive members, and the redevelopment project team. In October 2013, Mater and UQ agreed to strengthen a relationship spanning more than 60 years by entering into an Alliance Agreement to create an outstanding clinical teaching environment which allowed students to experience the best of theory and practice in a tertiary teaching hospital. The refurbishment of the Whitty Building formed part of this agreement, and provides an education facility for Mater and UQ students across medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health. The Whitty Building has always had significant historical value to the Mater Community and it s wonderful to see it returned to its former glory as an educational facility for Mater and UQ students now and into the future, Chief Executive Officer, Mater Group, Dr Shane Kelly said. What has been created is a beautiful learning space which I hope will support and inspire those who use the building to take their careers in healthcare to new and exceptional heights, Dr Kelly said. Veena Herron is Mater Health Services Senior Marketing and Communication Officer PHOTO MATER MISERICORDIAE PHOTO ST URSULA S COLLEGE, YEPPOON St Ursula s College, Yeppoon, Faith in Action Captain Meagan Cook, collecting donations for the Winter Appeal. st ursula s college, yeppoon Justice in Action by Karyn Redmond St Ursula s College, Yeppoon, is home to a dedicated group of students who meet each month to discuss social justice issues, fundraising options and oncampus awareness campaigns. THE COLLEGE S FAITH in Action Captain, Year 12 student Meagan Cook, leads the Justice Action Group (JAG) meetings, and describes each one as a huge brainstorming session about ways we can help people. Working for social justice and putting faith in action is important, and I want to make it a daily part of the girls lives here at school, Meagan said. JAG members researched homelessness and put together a short video, which they presented to their peers at an assembly to launch their fundraising and awareness efforts for the St Vincent de Paul Society s Winter Appeal, their Term 2 project. The JAG members want to support the campaign financially, but also raise awareness, and help people right here, in our community, said Meagan. Students were encouraged to decorate small welcoming hearts to pin onto their uniforms, as a reminder to act with compassion and mercy towards others. Coupled with this, the JAG members demonstrated the difficulties of sleeping rough by setting a lunchtime challenge; construct a shelter using only some supplied cardboard, and make it waterproof and big enough to fit two people. Students were encouraged to purchase clothing from Vinnies Yeppoon store, and wear it to Free-Dress Day for a gold coin donation; the money raised was donated, along with a collection of non-perishable goods, to the local Vinnies conference members to assist those in need on the Capricorn Coast. Karyn Redmond is the Public Relations Officer (Communications) at St Ursula s College, Yeppoon 8 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 9

6 st rita s college, clayfield 90 Years of Education by Dale Morrow Mother Ursula Kennedy pbvm (pictured at left) and Mother Patrick Madden pbvm must have had a good giggle to themselves when they named St Rita s College, Clayfield after the Saint of Impossible Causes. How could two Sisters in 1926 possibly borrow 22,000 and start a school? THE EARLY YEARS were tough, and at many times it probably felt like an impossible feat. However, just as St Rita overcame many hardships in her life and what seemed like impossible requests were granted her, the College has surpassed many hardships and now proudly stands at the forefront of education in Brisbane as it celebrates its 90 th anniversary this year. Time has changed a lot of things since St Rita s first opened on 27 September 1926 with a single building (Stanley Hall), 11 Students and four Sisters as teaching staff. Boys and boarders have come and gone. Ten principals have stood at the helm and many notable students have passed through the halls. Buildings have been built, torn down and built again. Originally a coeducational boarding school, the last five male students left in 1960, and boarding was completely phased out by The original Stanley Hall building still stands as a reminder of the school s heritage, and is listed on the National Trust Register. The school now educates more than 1000 girls from Years 7-12, approximately 140 of whom are daughters and granddaughters of alumnae. One thing however, has not changed. That being the College s commitment to producing women of heart. An ethos based on the great legacy of Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters. For Year 12 student Sophie Matthews, this has been a core feature in her experience at the school. St Rita s turning 90 means to me that the vision of Nano Nagle has followed through for 90 years, giving thousands of children an education, she said. I think religious and wellbeing perspective is what makes St Rita s what it is. The pillars and statues of St Rita and Nano Nagle and the many cocurricular activities. To mark the College s 90 th anniversary, on Tuesday 26 April, a commemorative statue entitled Nano Nagle- Woman of Heart was unveiled on the 232nd anniversary of her death. The statue, crafted by Sydney based sculptor Engelbert Piccolruaz, is a replica of that which stands on the grounds of Ballygriffin, the birthplace of Nano Nagle in County Cork, Ireland. As you walk past this statue, may you always be reminded of the great legacy of Nano Nagle that you have inherited. Throughout your life, may you, like this lantern, be a light in the darkness, Principal Dale Morrow said. Students will continue 90 th celebrations throughout the year with a project entitled 90 Deeds for 90 Years. Deeds Cards were distributed to students at their recent St Rita s Day celebrations and the girls are now tasked with the challenge to spread compassion into their local community by volunteering with charities, donating to worthy causes and offering acts of kindness being Women of Action, Not Words as the motto of St Rita s College advocates. The school is aiming to collectively reach out to at least 90 organisations and to create a movement of compassion, empowering students to be the change, following in the footsteps of Nano Nagle and St Rita. A set of banners mapping the years of St Rita s adorns the College driveway and #Flashback Fridays on Facebook attracts thousands PHOTOS ST RITA S COLLEGE, CLAYFIELD PHOTOS ST RITA S COLLEGE, CLAYFIELD of hits each week. The College Open Day and Carnival this year will be one of the biggest events presented and the whole St Rita s community will come together at the Cathedral of St Stephen in July at a commemorative Mass. The year of celebrations will culminate in October with the presentation of Rita s Longest Lunch on the College s Hogan Place. The foresight and determination of Mothers Kennedy and Madden is to be admired. A seemingly impossible cause has flourished into being one of the jewels of girls education in Brisbane that has seen many generations of young girls become Women of Action, Not Words and will continue to for many generations to come. Mrs Dale Morrow is Principal of St Rita s College, Clayfield Above from opposite far-left: Sr Elvera Sesta A young Elvera Sesta in her St Rita s uniform. Sister Elvera Sesta pbvm came to St Rita s as a Year 4 boarding student in 1947, finishing in 1955 as the College s Prix d Honneur, the highest award of the College. She entered the Convent in 1960, going on to be a renowned educator and pioneer of Catholic education for girls, and the longest serving Principal of St Rita s College. School Official Opening October 1926 St Rita s College opened its doors on 27 September 1926 with a single building (Stanley Hall), 11 Students and four Sisters as teaching staff. The Official Opening celebrations took place in October that year whole school The whole of school photograph taken in Below: Nano Nagle-Woman of Heart was commissioned to mark the 90 th anniversary. It is a replica of that which stands on the grounds of Ballygriffin, the birthplace of Nano Nagle in County Cork, Ireland. Clockwise from left: Eloise Amberger Class of 2004 student Eloise Amberger represented Australia in synchronised swimming at the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Claudia Dean ATC 2007 P Acclaimed ballerina Claudia Dean joined London s Royal Ballet School in 2009 and was with the company until 2014 when she returned home to Brisbane. Rachel Effeney with Medal Rachel Effeney (2005) was the only Australian female academic athlete to attend the UNESCO organised Olympic Games of Science and the Physics Olympiad held in Salamanca, Spain, both held in Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 11

7 Principal Ms Paulina Skerman (centre) and St Patrick s College, Townsville students are enthusiastic about the new Women s Career Network Front Row, left right: Joanne Baird, Catherine Bannerman, Cheryl Rens, Sonya Franklin (Mater Rockhampton); Back Row, left right: Joanne O Connor, Director of Mission Trudy Clarke, Mater CEO Gerry Wyvill, Rev Eric Cave (Tas) Absent : Gail Pertherick st patrick s college, townsville St Patrick s College Women s Career Network mhsnq CPE Graduation Ceremony by Julie Plath St Patrick s College Townsville is launching the Women s Career Network, an alumni-based program that seeks to connect past students with current students, creating a network of career mentors. THE COLLEGE IS now calling on past students to register as mentors and supporters of the program that will involve a series of functions and opportunities for past and current students to meet and develop career-based relationships. St Patrick s College Principal, Ms Paulina Skerman said the program is already gaining momentum with past students contacting the college, eager to be involved. This program is about connecting education with the real world, said Ms Skerman. Women who support other women give a very powerful gift to one another. This is a unique opportunity for our senior girls to make contacts with women in the industries and career paths they are interested in pursuing. We are calling for past students who have worked, or are currently working, in all industries be it the arts, mining, agriculture, law, medicine, education, design, science, economics, trades all industries and professions. Everyone is warmly welcomed to be involved and share their experiences with our girls. St Patrick s College has been educating generations of girls for more than a century and therefore we have a very rich and interesting alumni to call upon. We are also very keen to share the stories of our past students from all generations on our alumni website. The Women s Career Network will be launched at the inaugural St Patrick s College Winter Gala in June. If you are a past student of the College and wish to be involved and share your experiences and stories, visit alumni. Julie Plath is St Patrick s College Director of Communications and Enrolments PHOTO ST PATRICK S COLLEGE, TOWNSVILLE PHOTO MHSNQ by Linda Souter Six students recently graduated from a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) course organised by the Mater Townsville at a ceremony at the hospital. CPE IS A formal program of education and formation for the ministry of pastoral care. The program s methodology utilises the action reflection model of learning. The goal of the program is that participants will be acknowledged first-hand as bearers of the sacred and distinctive providers of spiritual and pastoral care. Mater s Director of Mission Trudy Clarke said she had identified there was a need for the formal program in Townsville. It was not available anywhere in the North, so for anyone who would like to do this course they would normally have to do it as a three month intensive in one of our southern capital cities, which is not only very costly but also very time consuming, Mrs Clarke said. The course has taken six months for the students to complete with facilitator Rev Eric Cave travelling up once a month from Tasmania to deliver three days of training. Eric is an Anglican Priest who spent 11 years in Parish Ministry before becoming the co-ordinator of Chaplaincy at the Royal Hobart Hospital in He retired in 2010 to concentrate on Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Eric s years of experience have brought a wealth of knowledge and skills to the students as well as enabling them to grow both personally and professionally, Mrs Clarke said. Mrs Clarke said the course had been a great success and the students had thoroughly enjoyed the training. We now have six more locally trained people in the pastoral ministry, she said. Linda Souter is Mater Health Services North Queensland PR and Marketing Manager 12 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 13

8 formation update formation update Year of Mercy Celebration Mercy Partners hosted a celebration of the Year of Mercy in Townsville on May 10. Once again, it was a great opportunity to gather together as partners in mercy to reflect on what mercy means in our ministries and our lives. Mercy Partners Director of Formation, Caroline Thompson, led the reflection urging everyone present to truly live out Pope Francis call to be a Church of Mercy by not just walking through a few doors, but becoming a door to model as Jesus Christ did radical love. God s love! Caroline quoted Anne Gilroy who says opening the door to mercy is a personal as well as a communal challenge. Just as a door is an entry and an exit, so the work of mercy is within and around us. It suggests opening our minds, rearranging the priorities of our hearts, softening our judgements, dropping our carefully cooked resentments, reassessing our certainties, chipping away at our rigidity, relieving suffering and we have a year to practise. dr caroline thompson mercy partners director of formation program Mercy Partners Leadership Formation Retreats, 2016 Take the opportunity to listen, reflect on, and discern the power of Mercy in your life. Take a retreat with Mercy Partners in the Year of Mercy! Townsville July at the Prayer House Rockhampton July at the Dreamtime Centre Brisbane 7-8 August at Ormiston Retreat Centre Cairns August at Seville Retreat Centre From the Formation Corner WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEXT BIG EVENT IN FORMATION, THE YEAR OF MERCY RETREATS TO BE HELD IN JULY AND AUGUST. THESE WILL BE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER ON GOD S CALL TO MERCY. FOCUSSED ON THE SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY, THE RETREATS HAVE A GENTLE BALANCE OF PRAYER, MEDITATION, SCRIPTURE STUDY AND REFLECTION. Mercy Partners is also convening a Leadership Formation Program conference to enable those who were unable to complete the program to catch up on the topics they missed. The conference will be on October in Brisbane, at Brisbane International, Virginia. To Register visit Meet the Formation Committee The current strategic evaluation of the formation program is being informed and developed by our Formation Committee which has worked through a review of policy, development of a conceptual framework and establishment of strategic directions for Mercy Partners formation. These ideas are then discussed and ratified by the Mercy Partners Council before their inclusion in the Formation Program. Sr Marie Melville rsm, Committee Chair Mr Terry Power I am indebted to the Formation Committee for their expertise, vision, hard work and support in developing a new framework for formation which will be multimodal and targeted at areas identified in last year s formation consultation. Ms Vicki Ward Ms Julie Morgan Sr Marlette Black pbvm 14 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 29 Edition 29 Mercy Partners NEWS 15

9 reflection In her book Open the Door Joyce Rupp writes about the illusions which prevent us from growing and changing. These illusions convince us that we are open to being catalysts of God s love and mercy in our world, whereas our behaviour would suggest otherwise. Her list of commonly held illusions is a gentle reminder to us all of the importance of being truly open to the selfreflection and transformation needed to be true hands of mercy in our world. > > Pretending to be a caring door of compassion yet resisting the precious time it takes to listen to another person s suffering; > > Pretending to be an open door of friendship while exerting control over relationships with subtle demands or jealous requirements; > > Pretending to be a door of humility but actually being fearful of accepting or using the undeveloped or unrecognised talents within oneself; > > Pretending to be a door of trust in God yet anxious and worried whenever things do not go as planned or hoped; > > Pretending to enjoy the achievements of others while envying and desiring their spiritual growth or professional success; > > Pretending to be a door of gratitude but feeling entitled to every opportunity and gift that presents itself; > > Pretending to be a door of forgiveness while harbouring hateful feelings for someone whose words and actions sliced like a knife; > > Pretending to love oneself yet continually giving in to mental put downs and emotions that perpetuate a lack of self-esteem. A Prayer for Openness May the door of my inner home be wide enough to receive those who hunger for kindness, those who are lonely, or isolated from friendship. May it welcome those who have cares to unburden, thanks to express, hopes to nurture. May the door of my heart be narrow enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity. May the door of my heart be closed to selfrighteousness, selfishness and harshness. May its threshold be no stumbling block to receiving those who are different from me. Amen Source: The Siddur of Shir Chadash in Rupp, 2008, p Mercy Partners. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of Mercy Partners. Supplied content is used with permission of the copyright holder as noted and ownership of this content remains the property of the original copyright holder. Please apply to the Editor in writing for permission to reproduce any part of this publication: judith.gardiner@mercypartners.org.au. Note: this publication may be transmitted without permission for the purpose of genuine promotion of the mission of Mercy Partners and its ministries, or for study. MERCY PARTNERS info@mercypartners.org.au PO Box 424 Banyo Q 4014 Lvl 2 McAuley Bldg 131 Queens Road Nudgee Q 4014