Mary Aikenhead Ministries
PrintMary Aikenhead Ministries was established by the Sisters of Charity of Australia to continue the various health and aged care, education, and some social service and welfare ministries, that they had established since their arrival in Australia from Ireland in 1838. Those ministries are now governed by a group of Trustees, consisting initially of two members of the Congregation and three lay colleagues.
MAM was set up by the Holy See as a “public juridic person” at the request of the Congregation to succeed to, and to carry on and expand, various health and aged care, education and welfare ministries previously conducted by the Sisters of Charity of Australia.
Foundation Work
In preparation for the petition to Rome requesting approval for the establishment of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, much foundation work was undertaken, beginning with a theological statement drawn from several scriptural quotes. The Mary Aikenhead Ministries foundational documents include the Theological Statement, Educational Philosophy and Ethical Framework.
Canonical Status
Mary Aikenhead Ministries was granted canonical status as a public juridic person of pontifical right by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on April 25, 2008. Mary Aikenhead Ministries was formally promulgated at the official transfer ceremony on July 1, 2009.
The Trustees of MAM seek to ensure that the heritage, tradition and the charism of the Sisters are taken purposefully into the future.
Mary Aikenhead Ministries invite Sisters of Charity of Australia to contribute their presence, experience, involvement, wisdom and spirituality to their ministries for as long as Sisters are willing and able to do so.
“Our congregation’s spirit and our inheritance is the gospel privilege of serving others, especially the poor. Our story is one of innovation, courage and conviction. It is our hope that this will continue. We are confident that through Mary Aikenhead Ministries the spirit of service will flourish in new and progressive ways, always alive to the spirit of the times.”