1. CHA National Conference 22nd August 2012 “MercyCare discerning mission” Maria Harries

2. The set task today
“Reflect on the experience of decision-making processes as they seek to align with the ‘big picture’ of Catholic health and aged care as well as the founding mission and vision of your organisation”.

3. I have chosen to reflect on how we discerned a way forward for our role in mission discernment rather than on the particulars of discerning about big or small decisions

4. Discernment of mission at MercyCare
Introducing MercyCare
Our gift, mandate and ecclesial duty
Reflection, formation and discernment of ‘task’
The voyage: staying centred at the edge
Turbulence, trials and tranquillity
Personal reflections

5. A quick picture of MercyCare
An entity formed from the bringing together of a range of services of the Sisters of Mercy, Perth under the one civil entity in 1999.
Formally constituted as a canonical as well as a civil entity – an Archdiocesan Public Juridical Person – in 2002.

6. Service span
Our services include a hospital and health care, residential and community aged care and a range of family and community services including child care, out of home care for children and youth, refugee services, employment and a variety of outreach services.

7. The beginnings

8. Our contract, mandate and ecclesial duty
MercyCare will continue the life-giving mission of Christ.
Individual staff and volunteer behaviour (particularly among those in leadership), policies and practices must match Mercy values.
The traditions of the Sisters of Mercy will influence service direction.
Policies and practices of MercyCare will be in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church

9. Mandate 1
MercyCare will continue the life-giving mission of Christ.

10. Mandate 1 detail
The connection between the “life-giving mission of Christ” and Catherine McAuley’s passion for the sick, poor and disadvantaged will be continually affirmed.
Mercy philosophy will be upheld as an ongoing theme - the path to Christ is compassion and justice is a Congregation mandate.
The policies and programs required to embody these principles must recognise and respect the multi-faceted service nature of the organisation and its multi-faith staff, volunteer and service user composition.
MercyCare is based on the values of the Christian Gospel although it is multi-faith in staffing, volunteer and service user mix.
MercyCare keeps its core values and its mission at the heart of what is being done but realises these will expressed in different ways and forms, as changing needs dictate.

11. Challenge 1
How to understand our work as being more than governing, maintaining and developing the viability and capacity of our organisation by discerning in relation to our own formation and that of the executive.

12. Challenge 2
How to articulate our mission and values and ensure their representation, constancy and life in a community of a thousand people whose priority is service in complex, contested industries rather than in faith formation.

13. Fr. Richard Gula
“Learning to be the kind of people we ought to be in order to make the place a good place”.

14. Dr. Bernadette Tobin
“It is about doing the right thing and - more importantly - about being the kind of person who can be relied upon to do the right thing”

15. Discerning decision making
Prayerfulness and reflection
Establishing the facts of the matter;
Measuring options against values;
Configuring potential outcomes;
Discerning a decision in relation to values
Reflecting on outcomes

16. Contemplative Dialogue 1
“The experience of truly engaging with other in a conversation that respects the gift each person is to the whole - believing that together we probe, explore and eventually come to some level of understanding”.

17. Contemplative Dialogue 2
Trust in the basic unity of human people and all life.
Nonviolence in spirit, word, and action.
Commitment to seeking truth with compassion and humility.
Willingness to risk suspending the rush to action.

18. Stages of discernment
Come to a clearer awareness and understanding of our mental and perceptual filters;
Learn the skills needed to support making decisions out of our values thereby allowing us to impact our communities and who we become;
Consistently relate with and to the collective mind or spirit of the group.

19. Ensuring Mission Continue to entrench values, mission and vision
Grown the ‘habit’ of reflection
Reflected and discerned at every meeting
Engaged in constant dialogue
Facilitated servant leadership and contemplative dialogue
Utilised value based staff selection
Engaged with the power of ritual
Conducted regular retreats and formation

20. MercyCare
Thank you