Approximately 120 people from across MMC’s ministries and the wider Mercy family, gathered at the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne on September 9 and 10 for the 2026 MMC Conference. Together we explored the theme From Encounter to Positive Change.
The group heard from Keynote Speakers, Archbishop Emeritus Mark Coleridge and Karon Donnellon rsm, Institute Leader of ISMAPNG, who were then joined by Virginia Bourke, Charles Reis and Sheree Limbrick for a Panel discussion. Later through our ministry-led Workshops, many insights were offered to encourage and inspire us to continue to be ‘carriers of the Mercy charism’ in our time and place. Our facilitator, Angela Scaffidi, provided opportunities for personal reflection and small group conversation around the theme.
We hope the photographs and the titles of the Keynote addresses, Panel and Workshop sessions will convey something of the networking and sharing which took place.
Keynotes
- Loving People, Using Things: A Gospel way through Chaos, Archbishop Emeritus Mark Coleridge
- Mercy: a mode of Relationship, Karon Donnellon rsm, Institute Leader of ISMAPNG
Workshops
- MacKillop Family Services – why Families matter in Generational Change
- Mercy Connect – Doing With, not Doing For
- McAuley – When safety means leaving school
- Mercy Health – Ethical AI Governance in Catholic Organizations
- Mercy Education – Learning on Country through Partnership
- Mercy Education – Young People putting Mercy into Action
- Mercy Works – Practising Radical Mercy Hospitality in challenging times.
Panel conversation
- What does our theme ‘From Encounter to Positive Change’ mean to you?
- In the context of our complex and growing ministries, how do we ensure that human encounter remains at the core?
- Where might we need to be braver?
You are invited to reflect on the three Panel questions above and engage in a conversation with a colleague over a cup of tea …
