On the first full day of the national Catholic social services conference, Hearing Healing Hope, more than 200 participants joined in an afternoon series of workshops addressing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, governance issues, protection of vulnerable clients, preventing family violence, increasing support for asylum seekers and recently arrived communities, social housing, parish engagement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander empowerment and effective advocacy of public policy. This was followed by the conference Mass and dinner, with eminent Australian broadcaster and journalist, Geraldine Doogue, presenting the Mary MacKillop Oration. In her address, Geraldine challenged and inspired us to reflect on how, and where we can find hope during difficult times.