Welcome to Catholic Social Services Victoria, the peak body in Victoria for the Catholic social services sector.

COMING EVENTS
Contact Emmy Silvius on 9287 5566 esilvius@css.org.au for bookings or further information:

16 September - Jesus the Christ eConference 10am - 3.15pm
This national econference is organised by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Commission for Mission and Faith Formation and The Broken Bay Institute. Its aim is to provide participants with an excellent and free faith formation experience. Presenter Gerald O’Collins SJ will share his insights into the life and ministry of Christ.
If you would like to express interest in joining a group at CSSV, please contact Emmy on esilvius@css.org.au or phone 9287 5566. Click for flyer and here for program.

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Tuesday 21 September, 2.00 – 4.30pm, Workshop for Religious working in the social services sector at Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne. RSVP: Emmy Silvius, tel 9287 5566, esilvius@css.org.au by Wednesday 15 September. Click here for further information. All Religious associated with social services are invited - those working in agencies, who have previously worked in this sector, Congregational leaders, etc

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12 – 13 November, Weekend of spiritual renewal for women in Catholic social services

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Thanks to everyone who made the CSSV Annual Dinner on 20 August such a success, as around 200 members and supporters gathered to celebrate our work, and to strengthen the links between those who are active within our broad community of service. Click here for the text of the welcoming remarks.

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:
* Engage your people – they know
* Keep it simple
* Make it meaningful for internal and external stakeholders
* Senior people have to live the values
* You can’t outsource 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.

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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 the inherent dignity of all people, and from a focus on the common good – that no part of society can flourish if other parts of society are unable to achieve their potential.  It is fully aligned with the urgings of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

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]

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Community safety requires much more than prison sentences: On 6 August 2010, Victorian Church leaders sent an open letter on community safety to members of the Victorian Parliament. Click here for a copy of that letter. The Herald Sun ran an article on the letter on 10 August - click here to see the article.

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.

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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

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Thanks to Jacqui Remond of Catholic Earthcare Australia for an informative and inspiring Breakfast Briefing and workshop on Thursday 15 July 2010. During the breakfast briefing Jacqui developed the theme of Protection and Care for our Environment, around Pope John Paul II's World Day of Peace message: "If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation." This message teaches us that integral human development is linked with the obligations which flow from human relationships. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation.
The intention of the workshop that followed was to assist organisations and individuals to become sustainable using Catholic Earthcare's new ASSISI initiative. During this three hour workshop Jacqui encouraged participants to explore their relationship with God's creation and ask themselves how they can contribute to its care. Some principles of Catholic social teaching, such as the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity were linked with caring for the environment. A presentation was given on the Ecological Footprint Tool (ECIS) which measures, tracks and develops reports on the organisations ecological footprint. Click here for the PowerPoint used at this presentation. Futher information can be obtained at http://www.catholicearthcare.org.au

Nurturing the Founding Spirit A symposium on sustaining the mission and spirit of our organisations Thurs 8 July Thanks to all our presenters and participants who made this event enjoyable and useful. A short report on the day will be distributed soon, and a number of follow-up activities are in planning, including a network group for people with responsibility for mission and formation. Further information is available from Denis Fitzgerald - dfitzgerald@css.org.au

Patricia McCourt from St Vincent De Paul Society responds to a panel comprising Julie Edwards from Jesuit Social Services, Sr Pam Moloney rgs, and Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director of CSSV.

Click here for the June 2010 edition of our electonic newsletter, MiniMicah. Contents include:
* Presentation on spirituality and mission
* Catholic social teaching
* Asylum seekers presentation, and follow up
* Spirituality in Catholic social services – Beth Crisp
* Enquiry into National Disability care and support scheme
* Enquiry into aged care
* Women’s retreat update
* Order of Australia: recognition for sector
* Who am I?   Sr Margaret Armstong DC – Marillac

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Click here for previous editions of Mini Micah

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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.

Bruce Bonyhady, Chair of Yoralla, inspired those who attended our April breakfast briefing on the topic of Why Australia needs a National Disability Scheme.
Click here for a copy of Bruce's presentation, and here for a report on the Briefing. Bruce exhorted all to make a contribution, through www.ndis.org.au or www.australiansmadashell.com.au. CSSV will be making a submission to the current Productivity Commission enquiry into a national disability scheme. [Photo: Bruce Bonyhady; Carol Vale]

2010 Commissioning Mass and Annual General Meeting - 11 March 2010
Many representatives from our member agencies as well as friends of CSSV joined together in celebrating our combined works within the social services sector as well as pledging to continue to better the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. For the Commissioning text click here.

Mass was followed by the AGM during which the Chair of CSSV - Peter Bearsley and Executive Director - Denis Fitzgerald spoke on the events of the past year as well as the vision for the future. For Denis' speech click here.
Melissa Brickell, Coordinator Aboriginal Partnerships at MacKillop Family Services was our guest speaker. She spoke on the Sharing of Vision and Commitment. Click here for melissa's talk.
[Photo: Chair, Peter Bearsley; Executive Director Denis Fitzgerald; Council member, David Beaver]

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.
Congratulations and welcome to our three new Council members Jamie Edwards - Centacare Sale Diocese, Michael Perusco - Sacred Heart Mission, and Micaela Cronin - MacKillop Family Services.
Thanks and best wishes to our departing Council members Arda Tymensen, Bernie O'Regan, and Patrick Gallagher.
See http://www.css.org.au/council.html for contact details.

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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.

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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:

• media release and article of 11 December 09 commenting on recently released ABS data on prisons in Australia: "Increasing numbers of people in our prison systems challenge our society as a whole; and increased indigenous imprisonment is a matter of national shame"
• CSSV prepared Background Notes for politicians who participated in our 2009 Victorian Political Forum, held on 1 December 2009. This statement sets out principles that CSSV ascribes to in public policy analysis, and some of the issues that the Catholic social services community consider are important in Victoria today.
• ‘A key lesson from the Ombudsman’s Report into the Victorian Child Protection Program is that families that are under stress need more support from our Government and our community generally’, - see CSSV media release of 26 November 2009

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
See under our News section or click here

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:

• Freedom of religion is an important plank in the broad human rights agenda.
• Catholic social service agencies need to be able to take religious commitments and beliefs into account in their staffing decisions; and to deliver services in accordance with the requirements of Catholic teaching. 
• These freedoms are necessary for the Catholic Church and community, through Catholic agencies, to continue in the provision of their wide range of social services and support for the general community.
• This freedom of religion would not be impaired by some narrowing of existing exemptions.
  

Changes in senior roles in Catholic social services sector click here for more information on moves and appointments involving
Bishop Christopher Prowse, appointed as Bishop of Sale
Paul Linossier, CEO of MacKillop Family Services
Michael Yore, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services

Pastoral Care in Catholic Aged Care facilities click here for more information.

Helping those affected by Victorian bushfires, and learning lessons for the future
See report on this, also on our news page.

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.

CSSV's budget comment also notes that there is more to be done to address areas of continuing pressing need: improvement to Out of Home Care for vulnerable children are one such area, where budget initiatives are welcomed, but the community and the Government must continue to work to guarantee the safety, pesonal development and the future of our vulnerable children - see earlier media release on this topic.

The Cardinal Knox Centre. 383 Albert Street (PO Box 146), East Melbourne Vic 3002
Tel: (03) 9287 5566, Fax: (03) 9287 5567, Email: office@css.org.au