A WEEKEND ENCOUNTER

Hope – a sense that I can be more merciful in my life and see mercy in places I might not have noticed before.

This was the comment one woman made when asked what she would take away with her from the recent Encounters weekend. She was one of forty women who gathered in Caloundra over the weekend of Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd May. They all responded to the invitation to a weekend of Encountering Mercy.

For the previous three years, the annual Encounters weekend has been held at Mary Mackillop Place, North Sydney. This year, we decided to have a change of venue, and we gathered at Oaks Oasis Resort at Caloundra. It was an excellent venue in which to explore what we mean by Mercy, and the challenges provided as women explore the concept in the context of faith.

Elaine Wainwright rsm offered sound scriptural and theological background as she opened up the biblical notion of Jubilee and Mercy, and as she led the group through an ecological and feminist reading of some Gospel texts. Natalie Lindner-L’Huilier provided engaging examples of Everyday Mercy from the perspective of personal, inter-personal and social mercy. Bishop Bill Morris, joined us to celebrate Eucharist, and, in his simple presence, perhaps provided an example of what it means to live mercifully.

Some of the women who participated have been to nearly every Encounters gathering. There were others for whom this was their first experience. However, as always, the level of engagement and sharing was high, and most participants came to the end of the weekend energized and supported in their journey of faith.

Many people expressed their gratitude to the Ursulines. They are deeply appreciative of the opportunities that Encounters offers. This is captured in many of the comments shared as the weekend came to a close.

The best part of the weekend for me was being among like-minded, faith-filled people.

A sense of feeling lighter in myself having had the space provided for life and blessing. I feel I am taking away with me a deeper sense of mercy in my relationship with God.

The strength of sharing/being with influential women – such wisdom and knowledge and understanding shared.

Thank you to the Ursuline Community – we all benefit so much through being given the time and stimulus to have the conversations of the heart. 

For further information on Encounters please contact Sr Sue Flood