New leaders of the Sisters of Mercy, pictured left to right: Sr Caroline Ryan RSM (Vicar and Councillor), Sr Gaye Lennon RSM (Councillor), Sr Eveline Crotty RSM (Leader), Sr Marie Duffy RSM (Councillor) and Sr Elizabeth Moloney RSM (Councillor). Photo: Sisters of Mercy.
The Sisters of Mercy last month celebrated a ritual in Sydney to mark the handover of leadership of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Sisters Eveline Crotty RSM (Leader), Caroline Ryan RSM, Marie Duffy RSM, Gaye Lennon RSM and Elizabeth Moloney RSM have been installed as leaders of the Institute for the next six years, taking over from the Institute’s first leadership team, Berneice Loch RSM, Annette Schneider RSM, Barbara Bolster RSM, Sally Bradley RSM and Theresia Tina RSM.
The event was appropriately held on Foundation Day, December 12, the day on which the Venerable Catherine McAuley founded the Order in 1831 and the day on which the Institute officially commenced in 2011.
In her address to the gathering, Institute Leader Sr Eveline Crotty RSM, spoke of the day six years ago when the Institute came together, following the reconfiguring of 15 individual Mercy Congregations.
“At the time I, among others, watched and waited with anticipation to join you all in this new Institute,” Sr Eveline told the gathering.
“It was a few months later with excitement that we became members to continue our journey with you of living Catherine’s gift to us – a life called to ‘Mercy’.
“The most vulnerable in our world today, Earth and all its creatures and those affected by its degradation and displacement cry out for our attention.
“We need the leadership, enthusiasm, and sincerity of you all to make this happen.”
The ritual included a ceremony involving ‘Passing on the Light’, which was symbolised by the lighting of a new candle for the leadership team from that which was lit at the installation of the first leadership team in 2011.
“Catherine McAuley said ‘we should be shining lamps giving light to all around us’. The light of Christ has illuminated the path of leadership for the first Institute team. They now pass on this light to Eveline, Caroline, Gaye, Elizabeth and Marie,” Ritual Co-Leader, Ann-Maree O’Beirne RSM told the gathering.
The ritual was held in Lidcombe and attended by more than 100 people. It was livestreamed on the Institute website, enabling Sisters and staff from Australia, Papua New Guinea and other parts of the world to join in the occasion.
The Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea employs more than 15,000 people who work with the Sisters in ministering to more than 210,000 people annually in furthering the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy.
To view a replay of the Ritual please visit www.institute.mercy.org.au
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