Sunday 18 September 2022 marks Social Justice Sunday within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. This is an opportunity to give thanks and pray for all who stand with and support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable in our communities.
The online Reconciliation Conversation hosted by CSSV on Friday 5 August elicited much thought and discussion about the progress of reconciliation in Australia, with special guests Fr Frank Brennan and Vicki Clark providing powerful insights.
To maintain integrity in a highly changeable environment, Catholic social services leaders, board members and expert practitioners need to maintain a strong sense of confidence to best engage in the creative diversity of our sector, so as to meet the challenges of keeping to core purpose while staying principled.
Parish communities in the Gippsland region continue to equip themselves with knowledge, tools and a deeper understanding in how to respond to family and domestic violence as part of a pilot program being coordinated by Catholic Social Services Victoria and the Catholic Diocese of Sale. A series of ‘Shining A Light’ workshops have been running across the diocese since March 2022, with 20 people attending the most recent worksop at St Joseph's in Warragul.
April 2022 - the final report produced by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) in partnership with Catholic Social Services Victoria and St Mary’s House of Welcome outlining COVID-19’s ongoing impact of jobs, insecurity and social services in Victoria has been launched at an event held at ACU Christ Theatre on the 6th of April.
Each month we compile a list of job opportunities, board vacancies and volunteering opportunities within our network of members. We encourage you to visit this page and spread the word among your networks. We hope this ‘Jobs Board’ will become a valuable resource among our readers.
In a spirit of anticipation and celebration, staff, friends and member representatives of Catholic Social Services Victoria recently gathered for the 2021 Commissioning Mass and annual general meeting. It has been more than 12 months since CSSV has hosted an 'in-person' event, given the onset of COVID-19 restrictions soon after the national Catholic social services conference held in Melbourne last February.
A significant element of the conference will be the opening plenary session on the evening of 26 February which will focus on the Indigenous voice and reconciliation. This plenary will draw on the enduring wisdom, strength and resilience of our First Peoples.
The national Catholic social services conference, Serving Communities with Courage and Compassion, covered a range of topics that impact those working in the sector, and those we serve.
Engaging with young professionals and emerging leaders within Catholic social services has to become a key part of strategic thinking among CEOs and “not just a nice thought”, according to Mark Monahan, Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Services – Mount Atkinson.