Sisters of Mercy Today

“Sisters of Mercy are educators, theologians, scripture scholars, writers, publishers, researchers, historians, musicians, artists, bioethicists, ecumenists, canon lawyers, lawyers. Some are working in interfaith relations, with media and communications technology, while others are environmentalists and ecologists. Many continue to administer institutions and others offer hospitality in a variety of ways. Where we no longer do the work ourselves, the mission of Mercy continues through the skill, energy and commitment of our ministry partners – men and women who are our dedicated co-workers, board members and volunteers.“

-Institute of the Sisters of Mercy Australia.

The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy have a 150 year history in Queensland and have long been seeing to the health, education and welfare needs of the people of the state in their respective ministries. Today and into the future, the Mercy ministries remain committed to the values set out by Mercy Foundress Catherine McAuley and will soon be under the responsibility of one organisation, Mercy Partners.

Mercy Partners

The Mercy Congregations of Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton and Townsville have received approval from Rome to have Mercy Partners established as a Public Juridic person of the Church. It is now in the process of being established and once this has happened, this group will take over ministry sponsorship responsibilities from the Congregations at the time decided by each Congregation.

Three of these four Congregations (Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville) have a common genesis in that Mother Vincent Whitty, a very early Sister of Mercy from Dublin, was involved in founding them. Further north at the limits of European settlement in the State, the Sisters of Mercy from Dungarvan in Ireland responded to an appeal to send a band of Sisters to Cooktown, which is now known as Cairns Congregation.

The Mission of Mercy Partners is to:

Contribute to the emergence of a world where the healing, liberating and life-giving mercy of God is experienced.

The Expression of Mercy Partners Mission:

In fidelity to the Gospel and continuing the tradition of Catherine McAuley, our call to mission leads us to…
1. Conduct ministries in the name of the catholic Church, that
* Offer quality services in aged care, health, education and community services, regularly critiqued against our stated values;
* Promote the wellbeing of people, encouraging them to realise their God given potential;
* Respect and reverence the interdependence of all creation.
2. Respond compassionately and creatively to existing and emerging needs within communities.
3. Advocate in the public forum on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged, in particular those associated with our ministries, so that mercy values find expression in policy and practice.
4. Provide a pathway in the Catholic Church for canonical leadership of ministries by lay people.

Core Values

• Compassion
• Justice
• Respect
• Hope

Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea

The Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea is a congregation of Catholic women religious, about 920 in number, dedicated to serving people who suffer from injustices related to poverty, sickness or lack of education.

Established on 12 December 2011 (the 180th Anniversary of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy), the Institute encompasses the previously independant congregations of Adelaide, Ballarat East, Bathurst, Cairns, Goulburn, Grafton, Gunnedah, Melbourne, Perth, Rockhampton, Singleton, Townsville, West Perth and Wilcannia–Forbes, as well as the previously autonomous region of Papua New Guinea.

Today, the Institute works with its partners in ministry to realise the vision of Catherine McAuley in our time and place.