Join us at the national Catholic social services conference dinner on Thursday 27 February 2020, from 6.30pm, at the Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. The dinner is part of the national conference, Serving Communities with Courage and Compassion, however, all are welcome. Bookings are essential!

 

Dr Ursula Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services Australia will present the Mary MacKillop Oration at the dinner, which is titled The authenticity of speaking truth to power. Ursula writes, "There is an ancient Greek word for someone who speaks truth to power - parrhesiastes. Mary MacKillop is an excellent example of a parrhesiastes. Speaking truth to power is dangerous and always has consequences for the speaker. Such danger didn't stop Mary MacKillop - throughout her life she recognised truth-telling as a duty. What can we learn from her courage and determination? How can we, too, speak truth to power and accept the consequences?

 

Sr Monica Cavanagh rsj, Congregational leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, who has sponsored the dinner, will respond to the oration. 

 

There is a Mass in the chapel at Catholic Leadership Centre, before the dinner, commencing at 5:30pm. Bishop Paul Bird CSsR of Ballarat Diocese will celebrate the Mass. Pre-dinner drinks commence at 6:30pm, with the dinner commencing at 7:00pm.

 

Cost for the dinner: $75 per person. Bookings close 19th February 2020.