Merging of Small Congregations

Prompted by the expanding needs of new dioceses, the Third Australian Plenary Council of Bishops addressed the challenge of consolidating the preparation of teachers for Catholic schools. At this time, teacher training was mostly conducted in congregations’ novitiates or colleges. The bishops recognised that, although such arrangements were effective enough, they were too disparate and did not have a strong future.

Also they saw the desirability of very small congregations merging in the interest of good formation and healthier communion of life among the sisters. Thus, over the next decade or so a large number of the 53 Mercy congregations united.