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Volunteers make the wheels turn faster at Catholic Social Services Victoria

In addition to the 17,000+ volunteers that contribute to the work of our member organisations, Catholic Social Services Victoria, as a peak body, relies on volunteers for some of our advocacy and organisational work. We would be much less productive, and less effective, without volunteer input on our committees and working groups, in organising our forums for parishes and agencies, in drafting our various advocacy papers, etc. We are in their debt.

We currently have a vacancy for a volunteer to assist with our parish support work.

We'd like to say thank you to one of our volunteers, Adrian Foley, a grandfather of seven, and a keen farmer, photographer and explorer! Adrian has been volunteering in the community since 2014, in a variety of roles - with Catholic Prison Ministry Worship and Hospitality Team, CatholicCare Melbourne, the Horn of Africa Community Network, the Melkite Catholic Church and in criminal justice advocacy. He believes volunteering can "transform your life"!

Homelessness seems to have received more media coverage in recent months than is usually the case – it’s usually hidden from public view, as are most of the 17,000+ children in Australia under the age of 12 who don’t have a stable place to call home. It is up to all of us to respond to homelessness and help the most vulnerable in our society from becoming another statistic.

With this in mind, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria, Denis Fitzgerald, plans to participate in the 2017 Vinnies CEO sleep out, which seeks to make a difference, by raising funds for Vinnies programs, including the soup vans, and by raising awareness.

Joce Bignold, CEO of McAuley Community Services for Women, Cath Garner, Executive Director, Mission and Strategy at Cabrini Health, Sheree Limbrick, Deputy CEO at CatholicCare, were welcomed to their first meeting of the Council at Catholic Social Services Victoria on Friday 7 April. All three joined the Council at the recent Annual General Meeting. Chair of Council, Bernie Cronin (pictured), was also re-elected for a further two year term.

There are 13 members of the Council – six are elected by member organisations, six appointed by the Dioceses of Victoria and Catholic Religious Victoria, and an independent Chair.

Position Vacant - Senior Policy Advisor

Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) has a position vacant for a part time (0.5) Senior Policy Officer in East Melbourne, reporting to the Executive Director of CSSV.

For more information, including an overview, responsibilities and key selection criteria, click here. Applications to HRRecruitment@cam.org.au close 1 May 2017.

“We are instruments of hope,” proclaimed Bishop Patrick O’Regan of Sale, at the commencement of the Commissioning and Blessing Mass for Catholic Social Services Victoria.

About 60 representatives from member organisations of Catholic Social Services Victoria gathered at MacKillop Family Services in South Melbourne today, to attend the annual gathering.

Better outcomes for people who are disadvantaged; a resilient Catholic Social Services sector that responds effectively to its changing environment; Catholic Social Teaching making a difference; prevention and response to child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and organisations; and effective communication and engagement with Church and communities are among the priorities laid out in the Catholic Social Services Victoria's Council strategic plan for 2017-2019, which was recently finalised.

All are invited and welcome to attend the Canberra launch of Catholic Social Services Victoria's book, Review, Reimagine, Renew: Mission making a difference in a changing world. Chief executive officer of Catholic Social Services Australia, Fr Frank Brennan SJ, will launch the book with colleagues on Monday 27 February 2017.

"I think you are familiar with the book, which investigates how faith-based service providers can flourish in an increasingly competitive ‘market’ while navigating the changes in the faith communities from which they have emerged," Fr Brennan said.

CSSV February 2017 Newsletter

The counter-cultural call of the Gospel, the affordable housing crisis, the Australia Day Honours - read about these issues and more in the CSSV February newsletter.

In Australia, 25,000 people are seeking asylum. How many will be successful? What will happen to those who are unsuccessful? The Catholic Melikite parish of Hampton Park is helping Syrian refugees settle in homes. Read about this and more in the February newsletter, and how you can join in the next Strengthening Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Forum.