Mercy Mission Formation Network Gathering
I recently attended the Mercy Mission Formation Network Gathering held at the Seville Mercy Centre which had the theme ‘Casting the Net’ – The Conversion of Processes. Over 20 people attended including Sisters of Mercy from congregations across Australia, and colleagues from other PJP’s and other ministries in Australia. There were a lot of connections made and it felt a fortunate place to be there when the new pope was announced.
The gathering included two keynotes by Adjunct Professor Susan Pascoe AM. Susan wears many pōtae and this includes serving on the Mercy Health Board in Australia and was very involved in the Synod in Rome as a member of the Synod Methodology Commission including as one of the table facilitators at both sessions. During her presentation Susan showed several photos including one with Cardinal Robert Prevost at her table. She commented that she would be very hopeful for the future if he was elected pope, and it felt very providential when the next day he was introduced to us as Pope Leo!!
Her presentations were:
Cast the Net – The Conversion of Processes: this spoke to what the pope was asking of us in the final synodal document and how we can be a listening church. You can find out more about the Synod here. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking session on how we make space for God and the call on what a modern church may look like. Pope Francis stated we were all called for the future of our church and our Baptism is our identity card that calls us to step up. It is up to us to take up our baptismal calling, it was a session very filled with hope and honest reflections of where we are now.
Implementing the Synod of Synodality in Mercy Ministries: This session was more of a discussion on the various options for the use of synodal processes and why Synodality is important. The term synod means a council or assembly, normally of only officials such as bishops that come together to make decisions for the future of the church. The reason this synod process that went from 2021 to 2024 is so important is because it was the first time it was a synodal process in every sense of the word where Religious, and lay people were also included, including women, so not just restricted to bishops.
Pope Francis establishing these new processes created a synodal church in the truest sense of the word that valued the gathering, deep listening and making decisions together where all the delegates had a voice. The session reinvigorated my own sense of mission and particularly into what that may look like in the future and how Whānau Mercy Ministries can contribute and be part of the korero as the first PJP to be established in New Zealand. Another important point I noted was the distinction of using discernment and conversations in the spirit for substantive matters but not for every discussion or discernment.
The other sessions I went to were led by Caroline Thompson, Libby Blom and Sr Ailsa Mackinnon, on the use of synodal processes and the Mercy Partners document that was co-authored by Caroline Thompson and Libby Blom called The Synodal Way. There were also sessions on Ecological stations of the cross and Syb=nodality through active listening. The greatest taonga I received was being fortunate to hear the stories of Sr Meredith Evans who is doing incredible work in Adelaide with refugees and other vulnerable people and Sr Faye Kelly who spoke to us of the stories of her place, the Sisters of Mercy in Cairns and the adventures they had. It was a gift that will remain in my heart and carry forth with me as we are beginning this new journey as a Whānau Mercy Ministries. I was very grateful for the opportunity to connect with others in the greater Mercy whānau and came away very moved and inspired with ideas to explore in my role as Pou Atawhai.
Natasha Watson
Pou Atawhai | Formation and Development Lead