On 30 July we mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Please consider a donation to our member organisation, Australian Catholic Religious Against the Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) so that it can continue its work with the community towards the elimination of human trafficking in Australia, the Asia Pacific region, and globally.

Our friends at Good Samaritan Inn are hosting a movie fundraiser on Saturday 24 August 2019 to raise funds for its services for vulnerable women and children. Enjoy Absolutely Fabulous with friends and family, while contributing to an important cause at Palace Westgarth Cinema, 89 High Street, Northcote, Victoria, 6pm for 7pm movie start. Cost:  $27.50. Book, here. 

MacKillop Family Services is hosting Lead the Way Towards Wellbeing – a two-day conference on loss, grief and trauma at Sydney’s Waterview on 31 October and 1 November 2019. The event is part of MacKillop’s commitment to empowering children, young people and families to heal from adversity. It will feature national and international experts along with recent research and evidence-based strategies that can be integrated into school or organisation wellbeing practices. Visit the conference website.

A couple of our member agencies are hitting the track on Sunday 28 July 2019 as part of Run Melbourne to raise money for their important work. The staff at Good Samaritan Inn are raising funds for its work in enabling more women, young people and children experiencing family violence and homelessness to access its crisis service. Money raised by the CatholicCare will give refugees access to counselling, English language classes, financial assistance, support with job seeking, and many other services to enable them and their families to settle well in Victoria. 

Highways and Byways: A Community of Service welcomes everyone to its 2019 John Wallis Memorial Lecture in Melbourne on Tuesday 13 August 2019 at Genazzano FCJ College, Kew, at 7pm. Renowned journalist and commentator Geraldine Doogue will lead a conversation with Stancea Vichie, congregational leader of the Missionary Sisters of Service and Zuleyha Keskin of Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation on the topic, Women of Faith Leading the Way.

Congratulations to the Missionary Sisters of Service, who celebrated 75 years of going into the highways and byways of Australia and beyond, on 8 July. Official celebrations took place on Sunday 7 July at the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in Blackburn, with joy and gratitude being the major themes throughout the day.

Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project is hosting its annual fundraising Trivia Night on Friday 23 August at St Mary’s Parish Hall, 59 Holyrood St, Hampton, from 7.30pm. Come and join a table or make a table of 8-10 people. $25 per person tea and coffee provided. BYO food and drinks.

Now more than ever, children, young people, families and professionals navigate unprecedented change and significant life events including, loss and trauma. Join us to learn from experts about recent research and evidence-based strategies that can be integrated into organisation and education wellbeing practice. Interactive workshops led by specialist practitioners will provide an opportunity to support professional wellbeing approaches and programs that build safe environments. MacKillop Family Services is hosting this conference as part of our commitment to empowering children, young people and families to heal from adversity.

Reclaiming Lay Leadership in the Catholic sector.  Journalist and broadcaster Geraldine Doogue in conversation with Francis Sullivan. The Ozanam Conversation (previously the Ozanam Lecture) is a free annual event in honour of the 20-year-old activist and founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Now in its 22nd year, it invites us to reflect upon how relevant the Society’s founding mission of 1833 is to today’s world.