Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) celebrated two significant milestones at the 2026 Annual Dinner: 25 years since CSSV was formed as a statewide body, and 45 years of bringing together Catholic social and community organisations in a spirit of collaboration.
The dinner drew together 200 friends and colleagues – Church leaders, member organisations, supporters and other partners – to recognise years of connection and joint commitment to building a more just Victoria in light of our shared tradition.
Catholic social services … has done far more than ensure the provision of excellent services for those who are vulnerable. It’s also helped the Church to remember who she is.
To open the night, Josh Lourensz, Executive Director, reflected on the legacy of Catholic social services in Victoria and urged attendees to imagine the innovative future we can forge through shared work for the common good.
Bishop Joe Caddy, Bishop of Cairns, gave the keynote address, reflecting on his years at CSSV and the wider social services sector, emphasising that “Catholic Social Services … has done far more than ensure the provision of excellent services for those who are vulnerable. It’s also helped the Church to remember who she is.”
He reflected on the role of Catholic social services today amidst some of the challenges facing our communities—from housing insecurity, loneliness and mental health to reconciliation and justice with First Nations peoples, climate change, emerging questions around artificial intelligence, and the growing fragmentation of public life:
Each of these challenges asks not only what services we can provide, but also what kind of society we are becoming. They’re not simply policy issues; they’re deeply human questions, and therefore they are also profoundly theological questions, because wherever human dignity is at stake, the Gospel has something to say.
Marcelle Mogg, Chief Mission Officer at VMCH and former CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia, responded to Bishop Caddy, reiterating the importance of advocacy, justice, charity and communication between the Catholic church and social service organisations. She highlighted the Church’s ability to foster and create belonging, calling for an ‘ecology of care’ involving local communities and professional expertise.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we recognise the many people and organisations who have shaped CSSV over the past 45 years. The evening’s speakers reaffirmed that CSSV’s future lies in continuing to build on this shared commitment—working together towards a more inclusive, compassionate and hopeful society, while advocating for justice and dignity for people experiencing disadvantage.
Read more on this milestone event in Melbourne Catholic: https://melbournecatholic.org/news/catholic-social-services-victoria-celebrates-decades-of-service
Photos courtesy of Henning Kallies/CSSV.
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