Mercy Mission Formation Network Annual Gathering

May 23, 2025

Earlier this month the Mercy Mission Formation Network (MMFN) held its annual gathering. The venue was the Seville Mercy Centre, Cairns.

The MMFN has been meeting since 2009 with this year’s gathering being organised by Sisters Margaret Endicott and Ailsa Mackinnon, along with Micheal O’Sullivan and Caroline Thompson. More than 20 people attended including sisters and colleagues from Mercy Congregations and Institutes, Mercy Ministerial Public Juridic Persons and Mercy ministries from Australia and New Zealand.

The gathering explored the synodality inspired theme of Casting the Net – The Conversion of Processes which included keynote presentations by Adjunct Professor Susan Pascoe AM.

In addition to being a member of the Mercy Health Board (one of her many hats), Susan played an integral role in the Synod in Rome, as a member of the methodology committee and as one of the table facilitators at both sessions. She drew on this experience to present a hope filled and optimistic view of an imperfect Church that is seeking to casts its nets towards being more inclusive at all levels and one which has synodality being put into practice into the future. The level of optimism amongst those gathered was heightened with the news of the announcement of the new Pope taking place in the early hours of our final morning. During Susan’s presentation the day before, she shared some of her photos of people she had met at the Synod, including one featuring Cardinal Robert Prevost. She remarked that she would be a very happy Catholic if Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was elected Pope!

One of the participants, Libby Blom, who is a member of the fourth cohort of the MGA Mercy Emerging Leaders Fellowship, has shared her reflections on Susan’s presentation in the most recent edition of the Mercy Global Action Newsletter.

In addition to Susan’s excellent input, participants had the opportunity to practically apply The Synodal Way using various methodologies in a recently published book by Caroline Thompson and Libby Blom. Workshops were also held on topics such as Active Listening, Practical Implications on Synodality and the Ecological Stations of the Cross.

The MMFN was pleased to welcome Sister Faye Kelly to join us for dinner on the second evening. Faye spoke of the inspiring and courageous journey of the Sisters of Mercy in Far North Queensland, from their arrival in Cooktown in 1888 until the present day. Faye’s presentation provided a heartfelt reminder of the shoulders on whom we stand, a question that was picked up on the last day of the gathering when we were asked to consider who we can inspire today so that it will encourage others to undertake their own Mercy journey into the future.

Like all gatherings of this kind, the time to share and connect with other Mercy people was invaluable. Thank you to the organisers for continuing this unique network that brings together a wonderful cross section of Mercy people. Our gratitude also to the staff at Seville for their hospitality.

John Rochester, Communications Manager
communication@ismapng.org.au