“Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. ” – Laudato Si #49. Catholic Social Services Victoria, together with Edmund Rice Ministries and Presentation Sisters, is hosting a practical experience of applying the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to promote the flourishing of creation and the building of a more just and compassionate society. 

During Anti-Poverty Week 2018, on Wed 17 October, we will be hosting a Lunchtime Conversation with Brian Lawrence on Child Poverty within Families, followed by an Ecumenical Anti-Poverty Prayer Service.  All are welcome.

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote “an urgent letter” to “everyone on the planet” to express his concern for the devastation that humans are causing to our Earth and its climate, and to ask all people to change the way we treat the Earth, each other and the poor. How are you and your parish responding to the Pope’s urgent request?  

 

The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action to protect creation across the globe.  The season begins 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through to 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of ecology in several religious traditions. The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘walking together” and will be celebrated by Christian and other faith traditions as brothers and sisters on a pilgrimage of shared reflection and action to better care of creation.
 

At this time of change in Australian politics, it’s time to change our approach to refugees and people seeking asylum.

This was a call from more than 60 people from 20 Melbourne Catholic parishes on Saturday 25 August.  They were gathered for the 14^th Welcome the Asylum Seeker Parish Support forum. 

With the 2018 Victorian general election scheduled for Saturday 24 November, this is a time to engage with parliamentary candidates on the kind of society we want to live in, today and in the future.  Members and friends are invited to join us on Monday 27 August for our pre-election forum. The Hon James Merlino MP, Deputy Premier, and The Hon David Hodgett MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party  will join us to engage on the issues that most impact on the wellbeing of Victorians, particularly those on the margins. Our 2018 Victorian Election brochure will be part of the agenda.

Mandatory sentencing, improving care for vulnerable children in Victoria, workplace spirituality and prayer, upcoming workshops for parish communities to help respond to family violence, and to assist asylum seekers. Find out about these news items, and more events from Catholic Social Services Victoria, and our members, here.