From February 11 – 12, seven delegates from the Jamaican Mercy community attended the 2026 Mercy Education Leadership Forum which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This event brought together school heads / assistant heads and schools’ board chairs with the Directors and staff of the Mercy Education Board as well as the Institute Leadership Team (ILT) of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The first day kicked off with a presentation by ILT President Sister Sue Sanders and other ILT members entitled “Deepening our Understanding of Sponsorship”. The team clearly explained how school sponsorship works and outlined the various factors and processes involved.
The two main highlights of the second day were the sessions entitled “What is Ours to Do?” and “What is Ours to Do Next?”. The former session introduced a new resource which is meant to help Mercy school faculty and leadership navigate difficult issues and conversations with students in a manner which is reflective of our Catholic identity and Mercy mission. This resource will help Mercy staff to better students in their development into courageous, moral and compassionate citizens of the world. “What is Ours to Do Next?” allowed attendees to discuss how, as lay persons, they will continue to carry out the vision of the Mercy community in a future where the Sisters will no longer be with us. During this time, Mercy Education board members and ILT members shared openly with attendees about their own journeys in Mercy community.
The Jamaican delegation had a wonderful time of reflection and fellowship with their colleagues from around the world. One Jamaican representative stated that the event was a definite “call to serve … A call to Mercy.” The Forum provided a much-needed space to bond and share ideas as we strive to pave a new path forward in the coming years whilst staying true to the Mercy Core Values.
