Church on the margins, our core mission
In a statement released on 19 October 2021, Bernie Cronin, Chair of Catholic Social Services Victoria, reflects on the role of Church and social services in light of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia which recently completed the first of two general assemblies.
CSSV Open Letter to the Plenary Council Members
With the first assembly of the Plenary Council beginning on October 3rd 2021, the Council of Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) has written an open letter to members of the Plenary Council.
Ecumenical service to remember those impacted by domestic violence
Holding the Light is an ecumenical service held on 28 November where all are invited to remember victims and survivors of family and domestic violence. We stand in solidarity with victims and survivors of domestic violence and remember those who have been killed as a result of domestic violence.
Introducing CSSV’s newest staff member, Antony McMullen
CSSV welcomes our new Member and Community Relations Coordinator, Antony McMullen. Antony is no stranger to Catholic social services, having worked in the sector for many years. He brings to the role his own deep faith and commitment to member support and collaboration. He’s also a husband, father, musician, and a self-confessed ‘governance and policy nerd’.
Colour my Neighbourhood community project
‘When you live in a new housing estate, 20 months into a lockdown where your only place to exercise within 5km is a couple of new streets and one small park (with tradies whizzing around you) then a community project focused on chalk drawing was extremely appreciated.’ Mark Monahan, Executive Officer, Edmund Rice Services – Mt Atkinson
Our mission is to assist the Catholic Church in Victoria to fulfil the gospel imperatives to:
Stand in solidarity with and serve the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised; and work for a just, equitable and compassionate society.
Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) is the peak body for Catholic social services across the state. Underpinned by Catholic social teaching, CSSV works with its 40+ member organisations to assist the bishops and broader Catholic community across Victoria, to fulfil the gospel imperatives to stand with and serve the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised.
“If someone helps an elderly person cross a river, that is a fine act of charity. The politician, on the other hand, builds a bridge, and that too is an act of charity. While one person can help another by providing something to eat, the politician creates a job for that other person, and thus practices a lofty form of charity that ennobles his or her political activity.”
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, #186
Latest Updates
Colour my Neighbourhood community project
Edmund Rice Services – Mt Atkinson operates a community-based service in Melton’s growth corridor which is in Melbourne’s western suburbs. With the lockdown restrictions in Victoria growing into months, Mark Monahan, Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Services – Mt Atkinson recognised the need to provide extra support for its local community.
Celebrate our dedicated carers, National Carers Week (October 10–16)
VMHC provides a Carer Support program that delivers a wide range of support services, so carers can take a break and enjoy some time for themselves.
Plenary Council commences in Australia
The First General Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia commenced on Sunday 3 October, with the Opening Mass broadcast from St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth. Led by president of the Plenary Council and Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costelloe SDB.
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