Dr Cody started as Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner in September 2023.

Before this, Dr Cody had a distinguished career as an academic, as a lawyer specialising in discrimination and as a passionate advocate for human rights. Her work over the years has included substantial advocacy to various United Nations human rights committees when they have reviewed Australia’s and other nations’ fulfilment of their human rights obligations. Most recently she was the Dean of the School of Law and Professor at Western Sydney University for 4.5 years, leading education and research impact within the School to better reflect the diversity of the community and the intersection of law and justice.

Dr Padilla is a lay theologian working for Bukal ng Tipan, a pastoral institute that journeys with different dioceses in the Philippines and abroad for a mission of ‘a participatory church in the world’.

She is a consultant for the past two decades to the Basic Ecclesial Communities Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. She is the executive secretary of the Office for Theological Concerns of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

She is a member of the National Synod Team, the Asian Synod Team, and has been appointed to the Theological Commission of the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops 2021-2024.

Kelly has been engaged in Ministry throughout her working career, particularly in the areas of Catholic education and Youth ministry.

Her current role as Head of Mission, and Chancellor for the Diocese of Broken Bay supports and engages the broader mission of the Church. In 2023, Pope Francis announced for the first time that he would invite Non-Bishop Members to participate in the General Synod of Bishops in Rome. Kelly was amongst five Australians chosen personally by the Holy Father to participate as a Non-Bishop Member. Kelly is a proud and devoted wife and mother, and consistently draws upon her family life experiences, to encompass her ministry to the People of God in the Diocese of Broken&nbspBay.

Maddy (she/her) resides in Kaurna Country, working at Catholic Education SA as the Senior Advisor for Ministry, and in the final stages of completing a Masters of Social Work. She has spent a decade advocating for and working alongside young people.

She is the current Oceania Representative for the International Youth Advisory Body in the Dicastery of Laity, Family and Life. Maddy is driven to redefine our perception of peripheries and people on the margins, challenging the discourse to instead recognise everyone is at the centre of their own worlds, so it our responsibility to sit with and amongst people.

Richard Lennan is a priest of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, ordained in 1983. His graduate studies were at the University of Oxford and the University of Innsbruck (Austria); his dissertation was on Karl Rahner’s ecclesiology.

From 1992-2007, Richard taught at the Catholic Institute of Sydney, was a member of the Australian Anglican-Catholic dialogue, and served as President of the Australian Catholic Theological Association (2005-07). Since 2007, Richard has taught in the United States and is currently Professor of Systematic Theology in the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, where he also chairs the Ecclesiastical Faculty. Richard’s research and teaching focus on ecclesiology, ministry, and the theology of Karl Rahner.

He has authored or edited ten books, the latest being Tilling the Church: Theology for an Unfinished Project (Liturgical Press, 2022) and, as co-editor, he has just completed The Spiritual Theology of Karl Rahner. Richard was a member of the theological panel for the Plenary Council of Australia (2021-22).

Peter Bierer is the Assistant Director for Pastoral Life and Mission in the Archdiocese of Adelaide. Originally from Minnesota, Peter has been a lay pastoral minister for over 20 years serving in parishes, dioceses, schools, universities, and with national organisations in the US and Australia with a focus on youth and young adult ministry, faith formation, music ministry and pastoral leadership. Peter is a member of the Advisory Council to the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Peter holds a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Peter is married to Lauren, they have four children.

Patrick Fox Patrick’s strongest mission formation experience came through ten years living among the indigenous Q’eqchi’ people of the central highlands of Guatemala, working in a full gamut of pastoral activities, catechetics, community organisation and development, and youth leadership training, where he was also a member of the enculturation advisory body “Ak’ Kutan” (New Dawn) in the diocese of Alta Verapaz. Here Patrick believes he was truly evangelised by the Q’eqchi’ people.

On returning to Australia Patrick began with Catholic Mission as lead of the national Mission Formation team, promoting awareness and understanding of mission through workshops with Catholic Education offices, presentations in parishes and schools, and broader media community education. He is currently the coordinator of the ‘Educating with a Mission Lens’ programme, developed in partnership with Catholic Education of Wollongong.

He also works nationally across dioceses and religious congregations providing training in cultural competency for mission.

His other interests include music, international politics, interculturality, international development, and enjoys learning languages; fluent in Spanish, Q’eqchi, and Malay, and conversant in Italian. He holds tertiary qualifications in Music Education (University of Melbourne), International Development (University of New South Wales), Philosophy (Catholic Theological College, Melbourne), and Theology (Francisco Marroquin University, Guatemala)

Dr Chris Cotter is Director of Mission and Pastoral Life in the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst. In this role Chris leads the Mission and Pastoral Life Team at the Chancery and supports the deaneries and parishes of the Diocese. He has experience as a teacher, leader and administrator in Catholic schools and system offices in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, most recently as Director of Religious Education at Catholic Education Western Australia. Chris has academic qualifications in education, religious education and theology, including the research degree of Doctor of Theology. He is particularly interested in the contribution practical theology can make to the integration of faith, life and culture for the mission and identity of Catholic organisations. Chris lives in Bendigo, is married to Julie and has two adult daughters and a whippet named ‘Scully’.

The Alice Springs Community Catechist program is a powerful alliance between the local parish and elders, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) and Catholic Mission (pictured here at a gathering in Alice Springs). Leaders from this group will attend the conference and share using their artworks, their faith and spirituality and why this leadership program is important to their communities.

Sally is the Integral Ecology Animator and Mission Ministry Resource coordinator for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). Her role involves assisting with the Institute’s commitment to the Laudato Si’ 7 goals and coordinating the Mercy Integral Ecology Emerging Leaders Fellowship program.

Sr Noelene Simmons is a Marist Sister. She has a background in secondary teaching with twenty four years experience in secondary schools in New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. She has held various administrative roles within her congregation and in secondary colleges. Noelene has been a member of ACRATH since 2010. Her work with ACRATH includes giving presentations to raise awareness about human trafficking and slavery, advocating on behalf of those affected by this crime, managing the ACRATH website and social media platforms and networking with other Australian NGO’s working in this field. She was the Oceania Representative on the Talitha Kum International Coordination Committee from 2016 to 2017. From February 2017-February 2020 Noelene held the position of President of ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans). Currently, as well as continuing her work with ACRATH, Noelene is General Bursar for the Marist Sisters and a board member of UNANIMA International.

Ordained a priest in 1995, Gerard has served in pastoral ministry for 17 years, and as assistant novice director (USA) for five years. He is currently coming to the end of a six year assignment as Provincial Minister for the Capuchins in Australia. Gerard holds a Bachelor of Theology and Graduate Diploma in Theology from the Sydney College of Divinity. Gerard is also a musician.

Alice works in the mission and formation team with the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers Oceania Province. Prior to this, she was the coordinator of Catholic Earthcare, an organization committed to addressing environmental issues through Catholic social teaching. She holds a Master’s degree in theology with a focus in eco-theology, reflecting her passion for the intersection between faith and care for Earth. In 2018, after successfully transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle, Alice began sharing her knowledge and experience by running professional development workshops for schools. She is also a trained teacher in Physics and Study of Religion. Alice was also a member of the Laudato Si’ action platform working group, collaborating with the Dicastery for Promoting Human Integral Development to implement Pope Francis’s environmental encyclical through the development of the Laudato Si’ action platform. She was also a member of the Synod writing team for the Brisbane Archdiocese in 2024.

Lawrie is Executive Officer of the AMPJP, Chair of Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) and Chair of the Society of Jesus in Australia Ltd, Care for our Common Home Committee. He has experience and qualifications in theology, management and social work.

Mercy Partners is a multi-charism, multi ministry PJP operating from Brisbane. Caroline has a background in secondary education and adult faith formation. In her work for Mercy Partners, Caroline facilitates workshops for the leaders (directors. executive and senior staff) of the aged care ministries of Mercy Partners, as well as producing resources, conducting retreats and pilgrimages and supporting leaders in creating nurturing communities within the aged care sector. Caroline’s doctorate focused on faith leadership.

Joshua is Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria, a peak body working with 42 organisations and the Bishops of Victoria to build a more just and compassionate society. He has a strong interest in being a part of a positive change in the situation, discourse and government treatment of people involved in forced migration, and a part of participatory responses to social issues, thinking and policy directions. He sits on the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project Board and is a Director of the Arena Foundation. He is a member of the Australian Services Union and St Vincent de Paul Society.

Stancea Vichie is a Missionary Sister of Service, an Australian congregation founded by Father John Wallis in 1944. She has worked in urban, rural, and outback parts of Australia and some short times overseas, a life and mission which has included pastoral work, Congregational leadership, adult faith formation, advocacy with asylum seekers, and people who are survivors of human trafficking.

Catherine Towiro developed, coordinates, and facilitates the Interfaith Encounters inter-school program at Catholic Mission. A program that is currently being funded by Multicultural NSW. As part of the COMPACT Alliance, Catherine is building partnerships with a range of organisations to increase impact and achieve outcomes for more peaceful and socially cohesive communities. 

Catherine has lived and worked both here in Australia and in Cambodia and Malaysia in fields of research, training and development, organisational development, and strategic planning for both large organisations and small grassroots start-ups. 

She is passionate about finding creative and experiential ways to build greater intercultural understanding, break down barriers that divide us and working collaboratively to bring people together in celebration of our shared humanity.

Jo Kenny is the Assistant Director – Catholic Life, Education and Mission Services (CLEM) within Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wollongong. She has significant background in education as a teacher, a school leader, system team leader and now as a service area leader and part of the leadership team for the system of schools. Since 2015 her work involved leading a more contemporary understanding of mission in everyday life and particularly in Catholic education through the influence of the “Educating with a Mission Lens” programme in schools and system teams. During 2018 Jo worked for Catholic Mission in the role of Mission Formation Educator and she has facilitated retreat and formation opportunities for RECs and school staff in Wollongong diocese, Wagga diocese and Parramatta diocese as well as with clergy groups and other Catholic community groups in Brisbane and Sydney. In 2020 Jo returned to a leadership role in Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong and in 2021 began in the role of Assistant Director, CLEM.

Sister Mary-Louise Petro is a Sister of Mercy of the Parramatta Congregation which she entered in 1973. Before entry Mary-Louise graduated from the Catholic Teachers ’ College  and taught in both primary and secondary Mercy schools and was Deputy Principal at both OLMC Parramatta and Epping.

 In 1983 she obtained a qualification in Youth Work and led the Mercy Youth Team in the parishes of St Clair and St Marys in Sydney’s Outer West. From this ministry came the request from parents to find ways to assist young people who were unemployed in a time of extremely high youth unemployment. In response Mary-Louise, with the support of the Sisters of Mercy, founded in 1985, The Mamre Project at St Marys. This ministry was a sponsored work of the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy and assisted the unemployed, people with a disability, youth at risk and refugees. Mary-Louise served as CEO in this community based ministry for thirty years.

Roles within the Sisters of Mercy have included formation of younger sisters and four terms on the Leadership Team. Mary-Louise is currently the Congregation Leader for her order.

Her passion is to bring Mercy – the loving kindness of the heart of our God – alive in our world through works that meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

Background in education both in primary school education and adult education; was a school principal for seven years and later moved into pastoral ministry becoming a parish pastoral associate. During that time, I also did part-time tutoring in scripture, and theology at the Australian Catholic University, Sydney followed by four years ministering at the Catholic Adult Education Office, Sydney Archdiocese as a program coordinator for Certificate 1V in Parish Ministry. After completing studies in Healthcare Ethics overseas, I ministered as a Chaplain at the Children’s Hospital Westmead from 2006 to 2015. In 2016 I was elected as a Council Member on to our Congregation Leadership Team and re-elected in this year, 2023 for a further four years. A significant part of my ministry is in Safeguarding, which has been a great privilege albeit challenging.

Bishop Shane Mackinlay was ordained as Bishop of Sandhurst in 2019, after 28 years of ministry as a priest of the Ballarat Diocese. He served in a number of parishes, as well as completing a masters and doctorate in philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

Before being appointed as bishop, he had taught philosophy for twenty years, and for nearly 10 years was Master of Catholic Theological College in the University of Divinity, Melbourne. He was the Vice-President of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia and was one of the Australian delegates to the Synod on Synodality 2023 – 2024

Tim Norton was born in Sydney in 1958 He completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy at Cumberland College of Health Sciences and worked in hospitals in and around Sydney.

At age 25 Tim joined the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), commonly known as the Divine Word Missionaries, in 1984. Throughout his initial formation in Melbourne, he worked part-time as a physiotherapist in the Aboriginal Medical Health Centre, Pentridge Prison and in private practice. He professed final vows in 1990 and was ordained a priest in 1991. He spent seven years in parish ministry in Mexico.

After returning to Australia, Tim served for seven years in various initial formation roles with SVD theology students, novices and postulants. He served as leader of the SVD Australia province (which also included New Zealand & Thailand) from 2005 – 2013.

 From 2014 until 2021 Tim was the Director of International SVD Renewal Courses in Nemi, Italy. He also worked extensively with consecrated women and men in the theology and practice of interculturality, something for which SVDs are renowned worldwide, including in Australia.

 In February 2022, Tim was ordained Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. He was installed as Bishop of Broome in December 2024

Mark is the Catholic Mission Province Director for NSW/ACT and the Diocesan Director for Canberra-Goulburn, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong. Prior to joining Catholic Mission in 2023, Mark was the CEO/Principal of Mater Dei in Camden, a P-12 Good Samaritan school for students with intellectual disability, and prior to that held a variety of senior leadership roles in the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong for over twenty years. With Masters’ Degrees in both Theology and Education, Mark has wide experience in Church governance, faith formation, pastoral planning and educational leadership.

Mark is also a musician and song-writer and with his wife and fellow-collaborator, Louise Raue, has released eight albums of original songs that focus on themes of mission, justice and ecology. His most renowned composition, “The Face Of God” has become somewhat of a mission anthem for Catholic schools. Mark believes we have a responsibility to use the privileges and opportunities we enjoy to serve the most needy and marginalised in our world, and he uses music as a vehicle to express this call to mission.

Benjamin Oh is the Chair of Rainbow Catholics interAgency for Ministry. The national umbrella body that brings together LGBTIQA+ affirming Catholic agencies, organizations, groups and ministries around Australia working to build a more just and pastoral church with LGBTIQA+ Catholics and their loved ones. Benjamin is also co-Chair of Equal Voices, the national ecumenical movement for LGBTIQA+ affirming Christians and co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific Rainbow Catholics Network. Benjamin works and teaches in areas intersecting cross-cultural education, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, human rights, racial justice, international aid development, LGBTIQA+ religious realities, and peace and conflict studies; he is also a professional pastoral supervisor for faith workers both within and beyond the Catholic community.

Jenny is the Associate Director Mission Formation. Prior to this she was the Program Manager for Advocacy and Mission Formation programs in schools. She has studied mission, scripture and theology extensively and holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Work, with additional qualifications in Journalism and Adult Education.

Jenny has led Catholic Mission’s outreach and advocacy programs for more than 20 years. Jenny’s national and local programs engage thousands of children, women and men in outreach and are considered transformational. Jenny works closely with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) and her work with Catholic Mission has taken her to Aboriginal communities in regional NSW and some of the poorest areas of the Philippines and Thailand.

Elizabeth Young RSM is a Sister of Mercy and an instituted Catechist of the rural/remote Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes. She grew up in the southern (Boandik) region of South Australia, has received a Bachelor and Masters in Theology, and completed tertiary studies in circus and teaching. Elizabeth has had ministry roles with youth, prisons, detention centres, parishes, dioceses and schools. Drawn to ministry at the margins, she has worked in northern South Australia, northern Western Australia, Melbourne and western New South Wales.

Elizabeth is currently privileged to be a Parish Life Coordinator in the remote town of Wilcannia (Paakantyi country), alongside a number of diocesan roles. She also teaches theology to women in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and writes liturgical and reflective resources. In 2021, Elizabeth founded the blogsite, Liturgy on the Margins, to highlight diaconal ministry and to encourage creative responses to liturgical and sacramental needs. 

Lana is a consultant and facilitator in Formation and Mission for Catholic Mission. Before this she worked with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in facilitating the preparation of the Plenary Council’s process of listening, dialogue and discernment about the future of the Catholic Church in Australia.

Prior to this appointment, Lana worked as the Program Manager for Mission Formation and Professional Development for Catholic Mission. She has studied in the areas of mission, theology and Church, and holds bachelor degrees in commerce and arts and a master’s degree in development and human rights.

Before joining Catholic Mission, Lana worked with teams in business on leadership, implementation of vision, values and organisational culture. Lana is passionate about God’s mission and believes there is great richness amidst the diversity and difference in the world. She has lived and worked in Zambia, Peru, Timor-Leste and Japan.

Mary-Ann is a Sister of St Joseph and ministering as their Laudato Sí Action Plan Project Office. She is a scholar of Tenison Woods and Teilhard de Chardin and an alumnus of the California Institute of Integral Studies. Mary-Ann’s prior ministries include teaching in Catholic schools in the Dioceses of Adelaide and Port Pirie, working in Catholic EarthCare Australia, as the Director of an Ecology Centre and leading numerous practical and spiritual ecological initiatives in South Australia and Queensland.

She credits growing up on a sheep station near Port Lincoln as shaping her spiritual DNA and a lifelong commitment to connecting her faith with a love of ecology and biology. Mary-Ann was awarded the 2024 Garratt Publishing Educational Book of the Year for “We Care For God’s Earth’.

I come from a migrant family. I was born in London, England and our family of 6 migrated to Australia in the early 60s.We settled in the western suburbs of Sydney and its where I first met the Josephite Sisters. I began my journey as a Sister of Saint Joseph in 1972 and my ministry has been in education as a primary school teacher and then Principal in both city and rural NSW.
I have also spent 18 years in the ministry of leadership in the Congregation, including as Provincial with our Sisters in South Australia and as a member of our National Leadership Team.

More recently I was privileged to be on the Facilitation Team for the Australian Plenary Council, and I work as a Facilitator with the Sisters of Saint Joseph. I am currently a member of the Mission Formation Team for Catholic Mission, and I am passionate about living the values of the gospel with a heart for mission, with a particular interest in calling for a church and world that is fully inclusive.

Anne Nesbitt is committed to promoting the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) program to Catholic Mission stakeholders. Anne has been involved with various refugee resettlement organisations, most recently with the Jesuit Refugee Service where she ran the School Engagement Program. Previously she spent ten years working for Sydney Catholic Schools as a learning support teacher, primarily with students from a multicultural background. Anne is passionate about working with students and giving people with lived experience a platform to share their story and change the narrative about refugees.

She has personally witnessed that when the barriers are broken down and dialogue begins, the space for compassion and generosity opens up. In her volunteer role at Catholic Mission, she networks with stakeholders to raise awareness about community sponsorship and to mobilise groups that will welcome, assist, and help refugee families resettle here.

Mary is a Presentation Sister from the Wagga Wagga Conregation. Mary was a teacher/principal in country NSW and in Sydney for a number of years. She has qualifications in Education, Theology. Pastoral Care and Counselling.

In “retirement” Mary is a registered Chaplain with NSW Disaster Recovery and has been on deployment to Evacuation and Recovery Centres after fire and flood disasters.

Mary is the Chair of the St Vincent’s Ashfield Social Justice Committee and involved with the sub-committee who sponsored a refugee family to Australia 2024-2025 through Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA).

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) is the peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. The Council was founded in 1992 and the Secretariat is based in Adelaide. Each State and Territory nominates a representative via their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry. The Council meets monthly via teleconference and twice yearly on a face-to-face basis. NATSICC advises the Bishops Commission for relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics. NATSICC is a not-for-profit organisation that is funded by the Catholic Church and Caritas Australia’s First Nations program. For more information on representatives visit www.natsicc.org.au

Arts HQ is part of the Education and Research directorate of Sydney Catholic Schools and offers support in Arts Curriculum and innovation, skill building and talent development for teachers and students. 

Arts HQ projects explicitly target quality Arts Education and excellence as well as connecting the arts in cross curricular programs. Opportunities are available for all students encompassing diverse and cultural learning led by Education specialists and industry professionals to create thriving Catholic communities. 

Programs cover Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts within the Sydney Archdiocese as well as collaboration beyond our communities. 

Arts HQ performance ensembles (formerly known as CaSPA) have performed nationally and internationally and are thrilled to be invited back to collaborate with Catholic Mission and give voice to truth in our performance, “Hear the Colours, Feel the Sounds”.