Snapshot from Rosie Busuttil, Stakeholder Engagement and Intake Officer, Mercy Connect, Thurgoona
Last year, I was honoured to be nominated for the inaugural cohort of the Mercy Leadership: Empowering Middle Leaders program. This experience provided a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, while deepening my understanding of value-based Mercy leadership. As part of the program, I developed a project that aligned with one of the program’s core objectives:
“Develop a sense of belonging to MMC and of their contribution to its Vision, Mission and Values – enlivened ministry of service.”
My project focused on creating an ‘Annual Celebration’ agenda for team meetings – a structured yet flexible template designed to foster reflection, connection, and forward planning. The agenda, presented in a PowerPoint format, includes the following key elements:
- Reflection on Our Values and Vision – A guided discussion on what our shared values and vision mean for our team and Mercy Connect.
- Exploring the Mercy Ethos – A chance to revisit and reflect on the Mercy tradition and how it shapes our work and relationships.
- Understanding MMC – An overview of Mercy Ministry Companions (MMC), including our connection to other Ministries, the role of our Trustee Directors, and the values that guide our collective mission.
- Governance Insight – A brief introduction to Mercy Community Services Australia Limited (MCSAL), which governs Mercy Connect, helping staff understand the broader governance structure.
- Catholic Social Teachings – A simple explanation of Catholic Social Teachings – what they are, why they matter, and how they can be integrated into our daily practices and policies.
- Celebrating Team Successes – A dedicated moment to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and milestones of the past year.
- Strategic Planning – An opportunity to review current strategic priorities and collaboratively set goals for the year ahead.
This agenda is designed to be adaptable, allowing teams to tailor it to their unique needs, staffing changes, and evolving roles.
Participating in the MMC Middle Leaders Course was a truly valuable experience. It not only enhanced my leadership capabilities but also deepened my connection to the Mercy mission. I would strongly encourage any Middle Leader who has the opportunity to take part in this program – it’s a meaningful step in the journey of Mercy leadership.
A snapshot from Stephen Key, General Manager, Property and Fleet, MacKillop Family Services, South Melbourne
As a participant in the Mercy Ministry Companions Middle Leaders group, I have gained a greater appreciation not only for the founders and vision of MacKillop Family Services, but also for the wider Mercy Connection and our collective ongoing legacy.
The origins of MacKillop Family Services date back to 1854, involving The Sisters of Mercy, Christian Brothers, and Sisters of St. Joseph. These religious congregations came together in 1997 to form our organisation with the aim of providing care and support to children and families.
I selected this project because our head office is located in the former St Vincent Boys Orphanage in South Melbourne, which offers visitors insight into our origins and our continuing connection to the services we offer. While I visit our schools and offices at other locations, there is a shortage of this information available, and I wanted to ensure that their legacy remains vibrant for those who visit or work in these environments.
My project aims to collaborate with staff at these locations to develop a unified approach to sharing our story across new offices and schools that we establish, using visual imagery and information about the organisation. This strategy not only honours the legacy of those Congregations but also integrates all our organisational efforts with a sense of understanding and a deeper purpose.
The opening this month of a fourth MacKillop Education facility, on the site of the former St John’s Catholic Primary School in Clifton Hill, Victoria, provides an opportunity to bring this project to life.