Finding a Spiritual Home As a Mercy Associate
July 31, 2024
Chris Convery on her way to a Mercy Associates gathering in 2017.
Next month, Christine Convery retires from her role as Mercy Associates Network Facilitator for New South Wales after almost ten years. While it is the end of her role as facilitator she looks forward to remaining a committed Mercy Associate where she and many others have found a spiritual home.
“I first commenced as a Mercy Associate with the former Goulburn Congregation back in the early 1990s. In the mid-seventies, I became a maths teacher and taught initially at Menindee Central School, and later at St Patrick’s in Goulburn, before transferring to Marian College which was a Mercy school. While teaching maths in these two Goulburn schools, I also taught studies of religion, and religion studies. It was during my time at Marian College that I felt this strong call to get more involved in the charism of Mercy so I started to go along to meetings of the local Mercy Associates group,” said Chris.
The late Sister Carmel Gardiner who facilitated the group had a big influence on Chris and the other members of the Goulburn Mercy Associates, an influence that continues to this day.
“There was something about her manner and the way she engendered and formed relationships with people and the way she spoke to us that had a big impact on me.
“The Mercy Charism drew me in, particularly as I could see how it was so wonderfully being lived out by Sister Carmel.”
Members of the Griffith and Young Mercy Associates at a gathering in Young.
In 2013, Chris volunteered to be part of a steering committee to reconfigure Mercy Associates into the newly formed Institute which eventually led to her successfully applying for her role as Network Facilitator, a role which she describes as diverse.
“As well as promoting the vision and framework of Mercy Associates, a large proportion of my time is spent supporting existing Mercy Associates groups and emerging ones.
“There are currently four groups in New South Wales. Three of the groups – Young, Griffith and Gunnedah meet physically once a month. We also have an online group called the ‘New South Wales East Coasters’ who meet on Zoom due to their members being spread out geographically”.
New South Wales East Coasters Group meeting at Mercy Centre Lewisham.
Chris says that each group is different and is completely autonomous which in many ways mirrors the philosophy which Catherine McAuley adopted in regard to the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy in areas outside of Dublin.
“Mercy Associates is open to women and men who are baptised Christians. The common feature of all the members is a commitment to living and sharing the Mercy of God. They come together normally once a month or every couple of months for prayer, reflection and spiritual nourishment.
“As well as being a faith community, Mercy Associates value the support they receive from each other. They also take comfort in knowing that they can share without being judged.”
In addition to prayer and reflection, each group is involved in parish or other ministry work.
“Some groups, such as Young, are very heavily involved in their parish while other groups pray for and donate to charities such as Mercy Works.”
In her role as Network Facilitator, Chris has visited each group at least once every year as well as meeting regularly with the other Network Facilitators – Carmel Ross (Executive Officer and Facilitator for Western Australia and Papua New Guinea), Margaret Trevethan (Queensland) and Anna McGookin (Victoria and South Australia).
“I love being part of a team that works so well together. We meet once a month via zoom and I really value the support and variety of views.
“When I visit the groups, they always give me such a warm welcome, including spoiling me with cups of tea and beautiful treats!”
Chris with the statue of Catherine in the garden at the Institute Centre, Stanmore.
Chris said that while she will miss these experiences she is looking forward to her retirement.
“Given my age I think it is time to let someone else take on the role. It will also enable me to spend a bit more time with my grandchildren and my husband as well as to do some travelling.
“In finishing I am excited about the future of Mercy Associates. We often get enquiries through our page on the Institute website and there are some potential new groups that may be formed. It’s all in God’s time though,” said Chris.
Chris looks forward to continuing with Mercy Associates as a member of the ‘New South Wales East Coasters’ group.
To find out more about Mercy Associates –
https://institute.mercy.org.au/become-involved/become-a-mercy-associate/
Messages to: mercyassociatesnsw@ismapng.org.au
Written by John Rochester, Institute Communications.