TAKING action on climate change, refugees and human trafficking will be among the new focuses of the Sisters of Mercy Ballarat East congregation.They held a chapter meeting yesterday, where they made their decisions and future plans.As part of that, Sister Veronica Lawson was elected the congregation leader.Sister Kate McGrath and Sister Carmel Setford were re-elected as counsellors to the congregation.Sister Elizabeth Dowling was newly elected as a counsellor, while Sister Helen Forbes was newly elected to the congregation as a counsellor and vicar.They form the Sisters of Mercy of the Ballarat East congregation of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia.Sr Veronica said at yesterday's chapter, they voted to become part of the new entity of Sisters of Mercy for Australia and Papua New Guinea."Through this, we will be doing things to be more effective, collectively," Sr Veronica said."We will join with others in speaking and taking action on climate change, refugees, asylum seekers, human trafficking, sustainable living and violence against women."