Mission and Vision
Institute Vision
“The first Sisters of Mercy heard the missionary call inherent in our vocation, and crossed the oceans and the continents.
We too are called to be pilgrims for Christ’s sake, whether we stay at home or move outwards.
If our hearts are centred in Jesus, we can journey in faith and confidence wherever we are permitted to assist Him in the persons of His suffering poor. [OR10]
Whatever work we do, our song must be about mercy and fidelity, righteousness and peace. [Ps.101]
Because of the Lord, to whom we sing our song, we must join in the search for justice and love wherever we are.
Calling one another to conversion of heart, to fidelity in mercy, [NA] we must continue to proclaim
the loving kindness of God, and create the new earth which God’s love demands. [Rv. 21:1]”
A Call to 'Embrace Difference' and 'Make Room for the Other'
The way that we give expression to these ideals is expressed in our Fifth Institute Chapter statement:
Reconfiguring is the call of God's Spirit to the Institute at this graced moment in its history.
Sisters of the Institute recognise that:
- there is an urgent need to respond to the worldwide movement of God’s Spirit towards reconciling and embracing difference, replacing fear with hope, suspicion with trust, violence with peace;
- we are becoming conscious that we are an organic part of an unfolding universe;
- we must charge our lives with a theology of communion and mission.
We believe that the call to Reconfiguring:
- will demand of us creative collaboration, leading to deeper relationships among us, generous sharing of our resources and readiness to make whatever personal and communal changes are necessary;
- will enhance our capacity for action for mercy and justice locally and globally, particularly among women;
- will determine the way we welcome and nurture new members for the life of our Institute;
- holds the potential for us to engage with our diminishment as a way to new life.
We acknowledge that the call to reconfiguring, with its challenge to ‘embrace the other’ and to ‘welcome difference’, makes it imperative for us:
- to continue to support wholeheartedly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in their struggle for justice;
- to strengthen our commitment to asylum seekers and refugees by supporting them and advocating for policies which are compassionate and just.
