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Welcome to Catholic Social Services Victoria, the peak body in Victoria for the Catholic social services sector. COMING EVENTS
16 September - Jesus the Christ eConference 10am - 3.15pm
-------------- ------------- 12 – 13 November, Weekend of spiritual renewal for women in Catholic social services ---------- RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Elizabeth Proust's presentation on 'Building a mission focused organisation' was appreciated by all. Reflecting on her experience in a number of organisations, she offered the following advice on mission development: The atmosphere throughout the evening was a tribute to, as one participant put it: the very strong sense of community and being part of a big group of people committed to working together. Thanks to our sponsors for their support on the evening - Australian Catholic University, Catholic Church Insurances, Catholic Development Fund, Teknocorp, CDM Communications, Church Resources, Fuji Xerox, Marketing Connecting Networking, Master Care - click here for graphics. ------------------ On 16 August 2010 CSSV lodged its submission on Disability Care and Support to the enquiry by the Productivity Commission into a proposal for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. The submission was built on consultations with the Catholic social services community, including a workshop with carers. It strongly supported the concept of a national insurance scheme, with its key features of being consumer directed and responsive, that would address the needs of people with disabilities regardless of how their location or the cause of their disabilities, in the context of an efficient and viable framework for ongoing funding. The CSSV submission complements a submission to the enquiry by the Australian Bishops Conference. Our response is based on a Gospel-inspired vision of integral human development that holds as fundamental th One of the points of emphasis of the CSSV submission is that reform needs to be underpinned by a strategy to enhance community attitudes toward the right to inclusion and support of people with disabilities and their families. In support of this, we will continue to work with stakeholders in this area to better inform ourselves, member organisations and other parts of the Church of the issues at stake, and of the need for broad understanding and support for the full participation in our society of people with disabilities. [Photo: Bruce Bonyhady addresses a CSSV breakfast gathering on 14 April 2010 on the topic of Why Australia needs a National Disability Scheme] ------------------------------ The letter argues that, while prisons have their place, long term community safety will only be advanced if we intervent early to address the causes of crime, and if we work harder at rehabiliation, and re-engagement once people leave prison. This message is a counterbalance to the focus on imprisonment that features in much media and policy coverage of community safety. CSSV currently chairs an Interchurch Criminal Justice Taskforce that will continue to work on these issues, and to advance them in the public arena as the Victorian election approaches. A network of Catholic agencies active in this area is also being re-established. Contact Denis on at dfitzgerald@css.org.au or tel 0418 136 372 to input, or for further information. ------------ Click here for the CSSV submission to the current Productivity Commission enquiry into Caring for Older Australians. The submission complements the analysis of Catholic Health Australia, and supports their objective, that all Australians, irrespective of socio-economic status, personal circumstances and location who are in need of aged care and support, have access to quality aged care services. The focus of the submission is on the needs of people who have been homeless, or have other special needs. Current recurrent funding is not flexible enough to provide the care that is needed, and to fund the innovative services that are needed to reach out to these vulnerable groups. Additional capital funding is urgently needed, as is recognition in the funding process of those organisations who have expertise and experience in working with people who are homeless ---------------------------------
Click here for the June 2010 edition of our electonic newsletter, MiniMicah. Contents include: --------------- Click here for previous editions of Mini Micah --------------- RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Thanks to Sr Brigid Arthur for an inspiring Breakfast Briefing on 2 June 2010 on Asylum Seekers. A focus during the briefing on the lives of individuals who are traumatised by these legal and political structures challenges all of us to renewed effort to seek reform. On 18 May 2010 Denis Fitzgerald of Catholic Social Services Victoria and Jenny Glare of MacKillop Family Services led a 'Day of Reflection' for staff on the Archdiocese of Melbourne on the theme of spirituality and mission. Click here for the notes of their main presentation. The presentation is about the connection between our personal spirituality and our shared spirituality, and the vitality of the mission of a Catholic organisation. The main point is that there is a connection, which we should nurture. The 2010 Victorian budget reflected many of the benefits of a strengthening economy, and increased expenditure in many important areas. But much pressing need in the community remains unfunded, and community safety needs a broader focus than just increased police numbers. Click here for a CSSV media release on the 4 May budget. Disadvantage and Inequity in Rural and Regional Victoria: CSSV member organisations are active in a range of services across the State of Victoria. Based on consultations with those members, in a recent submission to a Victorian Parliamentary enquiry, CSSV highlighted the need for a focus by Governments at all levels on the provision of basic services, and attention to specific needs, in rural and regional Victoria.
2010 Commissioning Mass and Annual General Meeting - 11 March 2010
More on the this event plus photos can be found on our News page. - click here for a copy of our 2009 Annual Report - Council Elections: Congratulations and thanks to Peter Bearsley who has been re-elected for another 12 months as Chair of the CSSV Council, and to Fr Joe Caddy who has been re-elected for another two years. ---------------- Thanks to Assoc Prof Beth Crisp for an engaging Breakfast Briefing to a capacity crowd on 24 February, on the subject of spirituality in Catholic social services. As Beth's presentation, and the subsequent discussion, highlighted, there are many aspects to the interaction of spirituality and social services, which could only be touched on or alluded to in a short breakfast presentation and discussion. The hope is that each of us will be informed and stimulated to follow up some aspects to develop our own engagement, and to enable us better to engage with others, be they clients or colleagues. Click here for a copy of a recent paper which Beth has made available which discusses many of the points covered in her Breakfast presentation. And click here for a copy of the recent McCosker Oration 'The Church as an Advocate in the Public Square', by Frank Brennan SJ, , that Beth referred to in her talk. ----------------- Click here for summary and full text of a recent CSSV paper on counselling in a Catholic agency, delivered to the 2010 Catholic Bioethics Conference, on 25 January 2010. The paper considers counselling in Catholic agencies in the context of the role of the Church in social services, and the features of Catholic social services in Australia. A key finding is that dialogue is needed within agencies and more broadly to ensure that people and processes are in place to maintain a continued focus on mission within Catholic agencies, and particularly in recruitment and in staff formation. Other items recently posted to this site include:
Thank you to Bernie Geary for a challenging and engaging Breakfast briefing on 28 October on Protecting vulnerable children in our society. Bernie's own journey of learning and growth through solidarity with young people, and his outline of current issues, were most appreciated by the 30-plus attendees. He exhorted all of us to play our part in creating a society that values and cares for vulnerable young people. Click here for a copy of the 'Charter for Children in Out-of-home Care' put out by Bernie's office. Fr Tony Kerin launches the 2009 Social Justice Sunday Statement at the Rerum Novarum LectuClick to read speech For the complete 2009 Social Justice Sunday Statement CLICK HERE Fr Charles Rue SSC presents Let the Son Shine - An Australian Catholic Response to Climate Change at the 2009 Rerum Novarum Lecture in Melbourne. Click for an overview CSSV Annual Dinner, 28 August 2009 Catholic social services and freedom of religion: On 5 August 2009 Catholic Social Services appeared before the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee of the Victorian Parliament to speak to its submission on the interplay between the provision of Catholic social services and freedom of religion. Click here for the introductory comments from that presentation. The submission was a contribution to an enquiry into exceptions and exemptions in the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic.) Click here for earlier CSSV written submission to the Review. During the public hearings, Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director of CSSV, summarised the submission along the following lines:
Changes in senior roles in Catholic social services sector click here for more information on moves and appointments involving Pastoral Care in Catholic Aged Care facilities click here for more information. Helping those affected by Victorian bushfires, and learning lessons for the future Reinforcing a preferential option for the poor in Catholic Health During May 2009, ACU Melbourne has hosted two groups of Catholic Health Australia executives participating in the Graduate Certificate In Leadership And Catholic Culture. As part of each of these programs, Catholic Social Services Victoria worked with CHA to arrange visits for participants to our member agencies so that they could gain some insight into the barriers that the poor face in accessing health care. Click here for further details. Victorian Budget maintains focus on the vulnerable members of society Catholic Social Services Victoria welcomed the 5 May 2009 Victorian Budget: "in a time of economic downturn, the budget's focus on productive public investment and on the needs of more vulnerable members of society is good news for Victoria" - see CSSV media release. |
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The Cardinal Knox Centre.
383 Albert Street (PO Box 146), East Melbourne Vic 3002
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