Organisations | Catholic Connect | 12 September 2024
Catholic Connect
12 September 2024
Spirituality and Staff Formation: Deepening Alignment and Mission
Panel presenters
Pip McIlroy
Manager People and Leadership,
Jesuit Social Services
Pip McIlroy works at Jesuit Social Services as People and Leadership Development Manager. Pip is a Board Member of The Cardoner Network, the young adult ministry of the Jesuits in Australia.
She runs a boutique consultancy, ‘Checking for Understanding’, which supports professionals to build teaching, training, and facilitation skills so they can pass on expertise within their sector. Pip holds postgraduate qualifications in Teaching and Theology.
Louwana Saba
Mission and Formation Director,
Mary Aikenhead Ministries
Louwana Saba is the Mission and Formation Director for Mary Aikenhead Ministries, an education and health PJP in the spirit and legacy of the Sisters of Charity in Australia. Louwana is a two-time graduate of ACU, in secondary teaching and master's in theological studies specialising in Biblical Studies.
Louwana has worked as Mission Leader for St Vincent’s Health Australia and Religious Education teacher and Retreat Coordinator at St Ignatius’ College in Sydney. She has been significantly influenced by Ignatian Spirituality both professionally and personally.
Having completed the Ministry Leadership Program with Catholic Health Australia, she sits on the Board of the Mercy Foundation, an organisation committed to social justice through advocacy works and initiatives focused on homelessness, human trafficking and modern slavery.
Dr Mary McInerny
Senior Manager Pastoral Care Services,
Villa Maria Catholic Homes
Mary McInerney serves as the Senior Manager of Pastoral Care Services at Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) in Victoria, Australia. In her role, she supports a team of 25 pastoral care practitioners, who provide pastoral care support to residents across 14 residential aged-care sites.
She also supports to staff members who offer outreach in affordable housing settings. Mary and her team focus on spiritual and emotional well-being, emphasising the quality of presence and attentive care for each individual. They provide sacramental support and accompany residents through transitions, memory loss, and end-of-life care.
Mary has worked in pastoral care for the past 40 years, in education, parishes and health care settings.
Workshop overview
Spirituality and Staff Formation: Deepening Alignment and Mission
In a time marked by rapid change and increasing diversity, the Catholic mission calls for a renewed focus on spirituality and staff formation to create vibrant, inclusive, and mission-driven communities. Staff members are the heart of our organisations, and their alignment with the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching is essential for fostering an environment where faith and service thrive.
The workshop will investigate various aspects of spirituality and staff formation, focusing on practical strategies for nurturing spiritual development and enhancing mission alignment. We will discuss the importance of creating a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth within a Catholic context while respecting and integrating diverse beliefs.
Some key criteria that we will be exploring includes:
Nurturing Spiritual Growth  
Spiritual Practices: How can we integrate spiritual practices into daily routines to foster spiritual growth among staff?
Personal and Communal Development: What programs and resources can support both individual and community spiritual development?   
    
Aligning with Catholic Social Teaching
Mission Integration: How can we ensure that our teams understand and embrace Catholic mission and Catholic Social Teaching in their roles?
Values and Ethics: What strategies can we employ to align staff actions and decisions with Catholic values, ethics, and social teachings?
 
Creating a Supportive and Inclusive Environment
Culture of Care: How can we cultivate a culture that supports the spiritual well-being of staff members and respects diverse beliefs?
Inclusion and Respect: What role can inclusion and respect for different beliefs play in fostering a cohesive and spiritually enriching work environment?
 
Enhancing Professional and Spiritual Development
Formation Programs: What formation programs can effectively integrate professional development with spiritual growth?
Ongoing Education: How can ongoing education and training initiatives support the continuous alignment of staff with the Catholic mission and social teachings?
Fostering Community and Collaboration
Building Community: How can we foster a sense of community and collaboration among staff members rooted in shared faith and respect for diverse beliefs?
Collaborative Initiatives: What collaborative initiatives can strengthen the bonds between staff and the broader Catholic community while honoring diverse perspectives?
Agenda:
- Lunch
- Welcome
- CDF Prayer
- Around the room participant / organisation introductions
- Facilitator introduction of panelists
- Panelist Introductions
- Facilitated panel discussion
- Q&A - around the room
- Summary - next steps
Want to join the conversation? Register your interest to attend
CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury and Ballarat. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed at here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
