About Us
History
On 1st January 2011, the canonical stewardship of Little Company of Mary Health Care was transferred from the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary to a new body, Calvary Ministries, the Public Juridical body established by the Holy See, at the request of the Sisters in Australia, to continue its ministry into the future.
Although Calvary Ministries officially took responsibility for the stewardship of Little Company of Mary Health Care Ltd in January 2011 it was granted Public Juridic personality by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 15th August 2009 (the Feast of the Assumption).
Purpose
The purpose of Calvary Ministries as appearing in its Canonical Statutes shall be primarily to sustain and further the healthcare ministries originally undertaken by the Little Company of Mary – Province of the Holy Spirit, and of any other entity which becomes a Participating Entity in Calvary Ministries; and to remain open and responsive to other needs, with particular care for the poor and disadvantaged.
Being the only Participating Entity; Calvary Ministries exercises a stewardship role over the health, aged and community care programs and services conducted by Little Company of Mary Health Care Ltd and its subsidiaries, to improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
Calvary Ministries must endeavour in its entire works to bring the compassionate healing love of Christ to those suffering and in need, particularly the dying, that they may come to peace in eternal life. The activities of Calvary Ministries and Little Company of Mary Health Care are to be conducted in a manner consistent with the teachings and laws of the Catholic Church and guided, where appropriate, by the charism, spirit and mission of the Participating Entity, the Little Company of Mary, as set out in the canonical By-Laws of Calvary Ministries.
Calvary Ministries must adhere to the Ethical Directives as approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, as applied by the Diocesan Bishop, and as amended from time to time.
Governance Responsibilities
Calvary Ministries Ltd is the trustee for Calvary Ministries (the Public Juridical Person). Calvary Ministries Ltd.’s object (as set out in its Constitution) is to pursue charitable purposes to sustain and further the health care ministries originally undertaken by the Little Company of Mary – Province of the Holy Spirit, that are now conducted by Little Company of Mary Health Care and its Subsidiary Companies (the Group). Calvary Ministries Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and is incorporated under Australian Corporations law.
The constitution of Little Company of Mary Health Care Ltd sets out the objects, philosophy and mission of the company and defines certain powers that have been reserved for the Member, Calvary Ministries Ltd.
The Board of Little Company of Mary Health Care has the responsibility to govern the health, aged and community care group subject only to Calvary Ministries Ltd.’s exercise of its Reserved Powers, and Calvary Ministries Ltd meeting its responsibilities as the Member.
Calvary Ministries Ltd is not the holding company of Little Company of Mary Health Care Limited.
Participating Entities
At Present the Little Company of Mary, Province of the Holy Spirit is the founding and only Participating Entity. Over time there may be other Participating Entities of Calvary Ministries provided they are an institute of Consecrated Life or Society of Apostolic Life, a Province or similar part thereof, or any other juridical person canonically responsible for apostolic and charitable works, which agrees to accept the purposes and to observe the norms of the statutes of Calvary Ministries.