Mission Formation Coordinator Mary Aikenhead Education Australia Information for Applicants
Mary Aikenhead Ministries Foundations FOUNDING PURPOSE In 2009 the Sisters of Charity in Australia established an incorporated entity, Mary Aikenhead Ministries (MAM), to oversee, carry on and develop their various health and aged care, education and social services ministries transferred to MAM. The new entity was created partially in response to changing realities for the Congregation (fewer and ageing sisters) and partially in response to the demands and increasing complexity within the ministry works. Above all was the desire to ensure that the works of the Sisters continue, grow and flourish through the enhancement of lay leadership. MAM s official commencement date of 1 July 2009 was chosen to commemorate the 151st anniversary of the death of Mary Aikenhead, the founder of the Sisters of Charity. This followed MAM being granted canonical status as a Public Juridic Person (PJP) of pontifical right by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 25 April 2008. A PJP is the aggregate of persons or things with a purpose befitting the Church s mission. It is a Church body established to perform specific tasks entrusted to it in view of the common good, and to perform these tasks on behalf of the Church. The Congregation is also a PJP. The Sisters task is to ensure their ministries continue to flourish. They contribute their presence, experience, involvement, wisdom and spirituality in the collective enterprises of MAM. Our Congregation's spirit and our inheritance is the gospel privilege of serving others, especially the poor. Our story is one of innovation, courage and conviction. It is our hope that this will continue. We are confident that through Mary Aikenhead Ministries the spirit of service will flourish in new and progressive ways, always alive to the spirit of the times. Sr Elizabeth Dodds rsc, Congregational Leader at the time of MAM s establishment TRUSTEES OF MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES Under Mary Aikenhead Ministries, many of the works established and developed by the Sisters of Charity are governed by a group of Trustees, with the entity titled the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries (TMAM). The Trustees are: the canon law and civil stewards of the ministries (as such, the ministries report and are accountable to the Trustees); charged with ensuring that the heritage, tradition and charism of the Sisters of Charity are taken purposefully into the future. TMAM currently comprises six Trustees one member of the Congregation and five lay colleagues. Their profiles can be accessed on the MAM website <www.maryaikenheadministries.com.au>. The TMAM office is located in Bondi Junction, New South Wales. EDUCATION MINISTRIES To meet the rapidly changing and broadening complexity of the educational environment, Mary Aikenhead Education (MAE) Ltd was established in 2009 to have stewardship of four secondary colleges established by the Congregation and transferred to MAM. This structure calls for collaborative ministry that involves: The Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries who are also the Directors of MAE Ltd; The Board Directors of each of the four college companies; The Principal of each college and her staff.. 2
MAE Ltd s four secondary colleges are: St Vincent s College, Potts Point, New South Wales St Columba s College, Essendon, Victoria Catholic Ladies College, Eltham, Victoria Mt St Michael s College, Ashgrove, Queensland. Each college demonstrates a strong commitment to educating young women of faith, integrity and compassion in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity. Students are nurtured to be principled young women with a passion for life, a commitment to justice, and the courage to live out the teachings of Jesus. MAM s education ministry, consisting of the Colleges and wider educational initiatives, is titled Mary Aikenhead Education Australia (MAEA). The MAEA Office and Executive Officer are located in Brunswick, Victoria. HEALTH MINISTRIES In Australia, the Sisters of Charity have had a tradition of over 150 years of leadership and innovation in health, aged care and associated research. Now transferred to MAM and entitled St Vincent s Health Australia (SVHA), this entity is the largest non-government, not-for-profit provider of health and aged care services in Australia. The health and aged care services of SVHA and its partners span the public and private sectors in three states New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. SVHA is governed by one national board (since October 2010) that reports to TMAM. SHVA and TMAM work together to continue the Sisters compassionate tradition of service to those in need of care. SOCIAL SERVICE MINISTRIES Currently some of the social service ministries previously operated by the Sisters of Charity have been transferred to the auspices of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. These include the Sisters of Charity Outreach Sydney and the Sisters of Charity Outreach Toowoomba, both of which are directly supported by SVHA. Through these and other social service ministries, staff and volunteers continue to live up to the urging of Mary Aikenhead to go where no-one has gone before and reflect and maintain the Sisters commitment to their fourth vow' of service to the poor. Outreach Sydney provides diverse services, each responding to a need in the community. These include: Country Care Link for country people visiting Sydney for medical purposes; Court Support for anyone involved in the court system; Eastern Area Visit Program and the South West Visit Program, providing companionship, socialisation and support to the frail, aged, disabled and socially isolated, as well as respite to carers through home visits and outings; Parent Support Program for parents and pre-school children; and Safe Haven, providing short-term crisis accommodation for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Outreach Toowoomba responds to the needs of those who are disadvantaged or marginalised, using the skills of trained volunteers. The programs offered include supporting elderly, disadvantaged and disabled people in assisted accommodation; visiting people in their homes; assisting with transport and providing bereavement support. The service networks with many other agencies in Toowoomba, including the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia support groups. 3
VISUAL IDENTITY: THE MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES CREST The MAM Crest is the primary, symbolic component of MAM s visual identity. It comprises four elements the initials MA, the heart, the flame and the cross. The initials represent a direct personal link to the founder of the Sisters of Charity, Mary Aikenhead, and establish the ministries essential characteristic of staying connected with the charism of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity. The script of the initials is that of Mary Aikenhead, conveying that the ministries are personal and relational. The use of MA also connects to the Congregational Crest of Maria Angelorum. The heart, flame and cross symbols which are integral to the Catholic tradition represent the deep Gospel values being embraced by MAM love, hope, compassion and justice. The colour blue has long been associated with the Congregation, and the colour purple is symbolic of spirituality, divinity and knowledge. FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS Amongst the original foundational documents of Mary Aikenhead Ministries with relevance to the education ministry (see below) are the: Theological Statement; Ethical Framework (incorporating four Permanent Principles); and Educational Philosophy; In 2012 the Trustees added the Leadership Formation Framework - Formation of the Heart to these foundational documents. 4
Foundational Documents of Mary Aikenhead Ministries THEOLOGICAL STATEMENT FOR MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES Preamble The Theological Statement presents an understanding of how we see ourselves and the Congregation s ministries at this point of time. It gives a particular context to our thinking, and it is a way of recording how we reflect theologically on the work we carry out in the name of the Church. It is a way of saying how, in the light of the Gospel, we think about how we live, what we stand for and what we hope for in the future. It is a statement to align our legal and canonical entities with the mission of the Church. And no-one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth to an old coat; for then the patch tears away from the coat, and leaves a bigger hole. Neither do you put new wine into old wine-skins; if you do, the skins burst, and then the wine runs out and the skins are spoilt. Mark 2:22 In the spirit of renewal and responding to the needs of the Church in the 21 st century, the Sisters of Charity look towards the future with joy and hope. In considering a new sponsorship model, we have focused on the ministries, with respect for and celebration of the rich heritage of the works originally undertaken and developed by the Sisters of Charity. We trust that the newly chosen sponsorship model will further these ministries. To live justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 The biblical image of God s people is that of a people on the way, a pilgrim people who have received God s promises but await the fulfilment of God s plan. The Church is primarily a community drawn together by God. The Church is the people of God. Every Christian disciple is centred in Jesus the Incarnate Word, who constantly calls us to life, relationship, and action for justice. Jesus inspires hope, encourages reconciliation, challenges oppression and responds creatively and courageously to people s needs. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 The Australian Sisters of Charity, energised and inspired by Mary Aikenhead, were founded to continue Christ s mission in the world. The love of Christ continues to inspire those who work within this mission to bring about God s reign of justice for all, especially the poor and marginalised. Our task is to act in communion with the Church in recognising and promoting the Holy Spirit s presence and activity in our world, with openness to the needs of all humanity. At the heart of this commitment is our service of the poor, understood to include every manifestation of poverty at any time or in any place to which we are called. (RSC Constitutions, Norm 25) The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. John 14:13 Mary Aikenhead valued the tradition of St Ignatius of Loyola which informed the Congregation s Constitutions, spirituality and decision-making. This new sponsorship model will embrace and acknowledge the movement of the Spirit of God discerned through prayerful reflection which enables truth to be known and lived. 5
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44 As faithful stewards of these ministries, we have been entrusted by the Church with the patrimony which allows these ministries to continue to flourish in response to the needs of God s people. I tell you in so far as you did it to the least of mine, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 All the baptised are called to be prophetic in challenging the prevailing culture in light of the gospel announcement of the presence of God s reign in the world. The Australian Sisters of Charity story is expressed within the context of Christ s mission and the Church. The central prophetic elements of this culture are found in stories, rituals, service and advocacy, the hope and the humour, the risks and the vision. This prophetic culture discerns the signs of the times and recognises the image and voice of God in all humanity and all creation. In this spirit we are committed to collaborate with others as we strive to be: welcoming and embracing passionate and compassionate strong and courageous contemplative and creative inclusive and empowering inspired and inspiring in service for and with others while always trusting in Divine Providence. 6
ETHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES Introductory Statement The permanent principles of the Church's social doctrine... are: the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity. These principles, the expression of the whole truth about the human person known by reason and faith, are born of "the encounter of the Gospel message and of its demands summarised in the supreme commandment of love of God and neighbour in justice with the problems emanating from the life of society". Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, par.160 The Dignity of the Human Person THE FOUR PERMANENT PRINCIPLES God has imprinted his own image and likeness on man (cf. Gen 1:26), conferring upon him an incomparable dignity... In effect, beyond the rights which man acquires by his own work, there exist rights which do not correspond to any work he performs, but which flow from his essential dignity as a person. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991, #11 The Common Good It grows increasingly true that the obligations of justice and love are fulfilled only if each person, contributing to the common good, according to his own abilities and the needs of others, also promotes and assists the public and private institutions dedicated to bettering the conditions of human life. Gaudium et Spes, 1965, #30 Subsidiarity Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organisations can do. Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 1931, #79 Solidarity Solidarity is undoubtedly a Christian virtue... In the light of faith; solidarity seeks to go beyond itself, to take on the specifically Christian dimension of total gratuity, forgiveness and reconciliation. One's neighbour is then not only a human being with his or her own rights and a fundamental equality with everyone else, but becomes the living image of God the Father, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and placed under the permanent action of the Holy Spirit. John Paul II, Solicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987 #40 THE ETHICAL FRAMEWORK This is an ethical framework, rather than a complete code of ethics. It is meant to be used in conjunction with other relevant documents, including the Theological Statement of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, the Leadership Framework for Mary Aikenhead Ministries and relevant canon and civil law and the teachings of moral theology. The Ethical Framework is a public statement of what the works of Mary Aikenhead Ministries stand for and what the wider community can expect of these Catholic services. 7
In faithfulness to the Gospel, the social doctrine of the Church and its moral teaching, the Ethical Framework for Mary Aikenhead Ministries will: Provide a guide for the behaviour and decision making of all persons in Mary Aikenhead Ministries Facilitate a prophetic stance against policies, positions and practices contrary to the vision and values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries Encourage an organisational culture which expresses the vision and values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. Human Dignity Recognises the dignity of each individual human person as inviolable Brings with it natural rights and duties Promotes the human rights especially of those who: lack services, lack access to services, cannot participate or are refused the opportunity to participate in significant national, state and/or community activities and discussions Ensures that every person, especially the most disadvantaged and marginalised, has reasonable access to more than just the basic necessities of life. The Common Good Actively seeks conditions that enhance the good of all Requires that the poor, the marginalised and in all cases those whose living conditions interfere with their holistic growth should be the focus of particular concern Ensures a response to injustice at local and global levels and a commitment to working for a more just society and a more humane world Takes the issue of poverty beyond charitable acts and into the questioning and challenging of social values and structures Demonstrates responsible stewardship in the quality and professionalism of individual and collective work Fosters collaboration rather than hierarchical management, ensuring a cohesive engagement of all involved Contributes to the achievement of a quality common life together Takes responsibility for caring for the environment. Subsidiarity Enables participation of and among those who make up the organisation Fosters life within the organisation, without undue social control and unwarranted interference Ensures participation in decision making processes affecting personal and organisational life Promotes decision making that is empowering of those involved and affected in the process Ensures that decision making processes include consultation with those who will be most affected by them. Solidarity Acknowledges that our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, cultural, economic and ideological differences Respects and promotes personal, social, economic, cultural and political rights Presents a spiritual and material solidarity with all people, especially those who are marginlised, vulnerable or distressed, giving priority to those in greatest need. This document (The Ethical Framework) is copyright Sisters of Charity of Australia. It may not be reprinted, distributed or altered without the written permission of the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity of Australia. 8
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY FOR MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OUR VISION CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS Through our trust in Divine Providence, our vision is to witness the Gospel through our commitment to the values of hope, justice and compassion in loving service of God s people, especially the poor and the marginalised. 9
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT MARY AIKENHEAD (AGED 20) Since 1838, the Sisters of Charity of Australia have made a profound contribution to the education, wellbeing and social fabric of Australian society through health care, aged care, welfare and education. On July 1 2009, the Sisters transferred the majority of their incorporated works to Mary Aikenhead Ministries. Today the work of these ministries is undertaken with compassion, courage and conviction by visionary women and men whose shared commitment is to the call of Jesus in the Gospel... to life, relationship and action for justice. The company constitutions of Mary Aikenhead Ministries incorporated entities specify the responsibilities of each: 1. To operate at all times as part of the mission of the Catholic Church and in conformity with canon law, and 2. To conform to the ethical framework and/or education philosophy of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. PURPOSE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY The Trustees have prepared this educational philosophy to accompany the foundation documents of Mary Aikenhead Ministries: the Theological Statement, Guiding Principles and the Leadership and Ethical Frameworks. It is intended to empower, guide and assist each ministry to faithfully fulfil its responsibilities around formation, education and training. Each and every campus, care centre, college and facility is invited to incarnate and animate the philosophy according to its distinctive purpose. MARY AIKENHEAD S INVITATIONS Mary Aikenhead s own life and work revolved around her deep compassion for the poor and her consciousness of their need for education. She was visionary, courageous, unshakeable in faith, hope-filled, compassionate and tireless. She invited her co-workers to: Reach out to those in any kind of need material, spiritual, physical, or intellectual; Embrace the diversity of the contemporary world in all its complexity; Trust in God s providence; Value education in the broadest sense; Learn from each other and benefit from those more experienced; Be conscious of the bigger picture and have a universal vision for all; Value literacy; Have a great sense of humour; Build good relationships; and Treat with respect and reverence all that God has created. In Mary s own words... Let us value the great gift of creation and do our best to conserve it. May we always try to act with justice and truth. Providence can provide, Providence does provide, Providence will provide. 10
THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES Educational activity and endeavour across the multiple and diverse professional settings of Mary Aikenhead Ministries occurs formally and informally. It involves: Orientation and induction; Training and formation; Dialogue and discernment; Continuing education and professional development; Research and investigation; and Reflection and evaluation. The Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries endorse and promote within their ministries exemplary education that is mission-driven and values-based. It is education that: 1. Responds to the Gospel imperative with vision, courage, compassion and conviction; 2. Accepts the traditions, teachings and laws of the Roman Catholic Church; 3. Builds on the deep story of Mary Aikenhead and the charism and tradition of the Sisters of Charity of Australia; 4. Is driven by a sense of moral purpose exemplified by a strong commitment to the preferential option for the poor and a deep respect for creation; 5. Respects the dignity of each person and his/her right to develop their legitimate interests and talents through education; 6. Grounds leaders and learners, practitioners and researchers, teachers and students in authentic relationships that are collaborative, inspirational and influential; 7. Advocates for justice on behalf of the poor, the marginalised and the voiceless; 8. Discerns appropriate models of leadership and community for the Church and society in the present and for the future; 9. Uncovers opportunities for hope directed towards justice and the common good for all; and 10. Attends to excellence both in the quality of the present educational experience and as an aspiration in furthering the mission of the Church and the Gospel in health, aged care, welfare and education. The trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries invite all engaged in educational endeavours across each and every ministry to accept Mary Aikenhead s invitations and to embrace our Educational Philosophy. IMPLEMENTING THE PHILOSOPHY The Trustees have developed this educational philosophy through theological and philosophical reflection, dialogue with educators and trainers across the breadth of our ministries and discernment around education in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity. This Philosophy draws on what is respected, valued and exemplary about education and training for service in our ministries. At the same time it carries the Trustees conviction that their assumptions, values and priorities must continue to distinguish women and men who are committed to the call of Jesus in the Gospel and who are formed and educated within Mary Aikenhead Ministries. 11
CHARTER FOR IMPLEMENTATION The Trustees call on all Boards and Executives across Mary Aikenhead Ministries to be responsible for communicating and embedding the educational philosophy by providing direction and resources for: introducing educators and trainers to our educational philosophy; and self-assessment of current activity to identify: O that which carries our educational assumptions, values and priorities; O gaps which must be addressed in order to better reflect our educational assumptions, values and priorities; and O additional work needed to reshape any educational endeavours to carry forward our educational assumptions, values and priorities; ensuring that all new and future educational endeavours carry the educational assumptions, values and priorities of our educational philosophy; fosterling collaboration and the creation of partnerships that benefit our educational endeavour and formation for service of the poor; and monitoring, evaluating and reporting as appropriate and in accord with various stakeholder requirements. INVITATION OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees invite their co-workers to reflect on the extent to which this educational philosophy already underpins its educational endeavours. From 2011 the Trustees will welcome Annual Reports that include reflection on how our assumptions, values and priorities inform and shape: the life and work of the ministry; its commitment to the preferential option for the poor; and its respect for the dignity of the persons and for all that God has created. We encourage the continued use of the format that best represents the life and work of that ministry. MARY AIKENHEAD MINISTRIES 2010 WWW.MARYAIKENHEADMINISTRIES.COM.AU 12
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