The Trustee Directors of Mercy Ministry Companions (MMC) conduct an annual joint formation activity with each of the ministry boards, Mercy Community Services Australia Ltd, Mercy Education Ltd and Mercy Health Australia Ltd. The first such gathering in 2026 was held in June with the Board Directors and Senior Executives of Mercy Education at the Mercy Education offices in Melbourne.
Following consultation, the theme chosen for the occasion was ‘Exploring Synodality’. We noted that the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea had petitioned the Holy See to establish MMC as a new Church authority so that the Institute’s ministries, transferred to MMC, would continue as ministries of the Church. Significantly, Pope Francis and now Pope Leo had called on the Church community to become synodal.
Synodality means “journeying together”. It is the way we are called to live out our ministry, and to be part of the Church. In the formation session, we sought to explore:
- What it means to be a synodal Church? and
- As part of Church, what being synodal means for MMC and Mercy Education?
Speaking of the synodal process, Pope Francis said that it is “a continuous journey, in which the Church learns to better understand herself and discern the most effective ways to carry out her mission … where bishops, laypeople, priests and consecrated men and women work together in service to God’s mercy.”[1]
Significantly, synodal processes and ways of acting are intentional, invitational and empowering. They involve:
- Discernment, through listening and dialogue.
- Inclusion, enabling and ensuring participation, especially of the marginalised.
- Partnership, based on the model of a co-responsible Church.
- Cultural awareness, embracing diversity within the community.
Pope Leo, building on Pope Francis’ legacy, has called us to be a Church which promotes “authentic experiences of participation and communion”, such that “synodality becomes a mindset, in the heart, in decision-making processes and in ways of acting”.[2]
The joint formation afternoon opened up rich discussions in table groups and in the whole forum as we asked ourselves how each of us, in our role within MMC, can walk together as companions in ministry and walk with those who serve in a spirit of synodality.
The Trustee Directors look forward to participating in further formation sessions later in the year with the board directors of Mercy Community Services Australia and Mercy Health Australia.
Gabrielle McMullen AM
Trustee Director
[1] Pope calls for humble and synodal Church, led by the Holy Spirit – Vatican News
[2] Pope Leo on Synodality: relationship as it is rooted in the life of the Trinity – The Irish Catholic
