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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.

Click here to listen to Fiona Basile reflecting on photography, faith and life: we are fortunate that, among other things, Fiona assists with communications at Catholic Social Services Victoria

The key to a safer society is to address the root causes of crime , according to our recent media statement on criminal justice policy. Further, “when offences are committed, a focus on restoration for all parties, and on rehabilitation, must be central to our response”. Download our Media Release.

An update for participants in the August 2016 Reimagining Parish Services Expo provides links to resource material - including volunteering opportunities with our member organisations; and notice of future gatherings.

Christmas greetings to members and friends of Catholic Social Services Victoria!

Thanks to Fr Andy Hamilton sj of Eurkea Street / Jesuit Social Services for his recent Christmas reflection on the challenges faced by people around the world: “We may give up our hopes for a just and peaceful world, retire from it as gracefully as we can, accept the victory of power, wealth and brutality, and allow hope to die within us. Or we can return to the Christmas story and to the hope that is central to it, and work and pray for the death of the new political order. This is the path of constancy, of faithfulness to little people in small things, of being a midwife in the hard labours of a Birth like Death.”