Catholic Social Services Victoria: Events

News

'Your Vote, Your Values' - Statement by Victorian Bishops to assist voters for the 2010 Victorian election

The Catholic Bishops of Victoria have released a document, Your Vote, Your Values - Issues and Questions for Parliamentary Candidates for the Victorian Election. The document discusses issues facing Victorians, and suggests questions that can be put to candidates seeking election, so that voters can be informed.

The issues covered in the statement range widely. Media coverage tends to have focused on support for elderly Victorians, and euthanasia in particular, and on abortion and pregnancy support. The statement, however, ranges widely, and addresses many other issues that are the direct concern of Catholic Social Services and many of our member organisations.

Of general application are some observations for voters and candidates, including that ‘we are called on to respect the dignity of each person and to ensure that our collective efforts are aimed at the common good, encompassing all members of our community.’

Other specific issues that are touched on or developed in the statement include:

Support for families
Affordable housing
Homelessness
Access to essential services
Special needs of regional and rural communities
Education for children with additional or complex needs
Strengthening of mental health services
Pregnancy support, including the social safety net
preventing problem gambling,
support for survivors of domestic violence and measures to prevent it arising,
prevention and treatment for drug and alcohol users, and
criminal justice: a focus on what will really make our society safer

The Interchurch Criminal Justice Taskforce has also just released a brochure to consider issues of criminal justice from a broad Christian perspective – click here for a copy. Practical recommendations are made to assist victims and families caught up in the justice system. Ideas are also canvassed in relation to such areas as education, mental health, decent employment, accommodation so as to assist offenders to live a crime free life. For more information contact Denis Fitzgerald, Chair of the Taskforce, on 9287 5569, or dfitzgerald@css.org.au.

All of us have an opportunity to ensure that our candidates and political parties attend to these issues, and understand that they are important to Victorians. The statement by the Bishops is a reminder to us to take that opportunity, and it provides a ready basis for each of us to advance that dialogue.

You can locate your current representatives in the Victorian Parliament through the website of the Parliament. Nominations for the 27 November Victorian election open on 3 November, and details of nominees for each electorate will be available on the website of the Victorian Electoral Commission.

Other material that might assist you in your contact with candidates, to elicit their views, and to advance their understanding of the substance and importance of key issues, includes:

Uniting Church Victorian Election Kit
Salvation Army Victorian Election Statements 2010
Victorian Council for Social Services election platform.

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Congratulations to Ruth Dorman of MacKillop Family Services, who was a recent recipient of the Robin Clark Memorial Award 2010 for ‘Making a Difference with children, young people and families’. This award was announced at a function on 7 September hosted by the award sponsors, the Department of Human Services.

The photo at left shows, from left: Heather Cooney (Manager, Bayview Disability Services, MacKillop Family Services), Ruth’s daughter Grace, Ruth, Anne Condon (Director of Community Programs, MacKillop Family Services) and Micaela Cronin (CEO, MacKillop Family Services).

The photo at right shows Tony Clark (brother of Robin Clark, the trail-blazing social worker, after whom the award is named), Ruth, and Lisa Neville, the Minister for Community Services.

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A Safer Victoria - an open letter of 6 August 2010 on community safety, from Victorian Heads of Churches to Victorian Parliamentarians and election candidates

Nurturing the Founding Spirit
A symposium on sustaining the mission and spirit of our organisations
Thurs 8 July

Thanks to all our presenters and participants who made this event enjoyable and useful. A short report on the day will be distributed soon, and a number of follow-up activities are in planning, including a network group for people with responsibility for mission and formation.

Further information is available from Denis Fitzgerald - dfitzgerald@css.org.au

Patricia McCourt from St Vincent De Paul Society responds to a panel comprising Julie Edwards from Jesuit Social Services, Sr Pam Moloney sgs, and Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director of CSSV.

CSSV Commissioning Mass and AGM, 11 March 2010
Thanks to all CSSV members and friends who joined us to make our Commissioning Mass and AGM such a success. It was good to celebrate our work together as a community and in solidarity with those we serve - reflecting on the issues we face in building a more just and compassionate society.
This is an occasion to commemorate the work of the broad range of social service providers and the commitment of the Church as a whole in the provision of service and in working for justice.
Bishop Tomlinson presided at the Mass at All Saints Church in Fitzroy. A reading from Isaiah set the theme: "Integrity will bring peace, justice give everlasting security." The Mass ended with a special commissioning in which all prayed: "May our celebration today renew energy, vision and hope in all of us, today and for the years ahead."

Melissa Brickell, Coordinator of Aboriginal Partnerships at MacKillop Family Services, and a distinguished Catholic Aboriginal leader, spoke at the AGM on opportunities for greater involvement between Catholic social services and Aboriginal Australians. Melissa's presentation was one of hope and empowerment. It was a rich message, including presenting answers as well as raising further questions:
"So how do you, in mission, stand with us, as the conforming other, desiring to support the disadvantaged? The key is to 'stand with us.' Not stand for us. Communicate with us not for us. And engage with us, not for us (unless we ask otherwise)." Click here for the full text.

Refreshments at St Mary's House of Welcome in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy complemented the formal parts of the evening. This enabled many people from different agencies and programs to admire the modern facilities from which St Mary's now reaches out to those who are marginalised within what many of us experience as an affluent society.
(Photo above: Bishop Tomlinson; middle: Gathering for the AGM; below: Vicki Clark - started the AGM with acknowledgment to country)

Increasing numbers of people in our prison systems challenge our society as a whole; and increased indigenous imprisonment is a matter of national shame: click here for a CSSV media release and article on recent ABS data on imprisonment in Australia, 11 December 2009.
Child Protection Report challenges Victorian Government and community
‘A key lesson from the Ombudsman’s Report into the Victorian Child Protection Program is that families that are under stress need more support from our Government and our community generally’, commented Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria - see media release of 26 November 2009
2009 Rerum Novarum Lecture - Let the Son Shine: An Australian Catholic Response to Climate Change with Fr Charles Rue SSC. Click for overview
Fr Tony Kerin launches the 2009 Social Justice Sunday Statement. Click for speech
Wellsprings AGM 16 September 2009: Click here for a report

CSSV Annual Dinner, 28 August 2009: Thank you to all members and friends who made the fourth annual Catholic Social Services Dinner, on 28 August 2009, a success.

The dinner was, among other things, a night of recognition of the work that the Catholic Social Services Sector undertakes in Victoria; and of celebrating that as a community. In that vein, Sr Toni Matha ibvm AO, was welcomed as a Life Member of CSSV, for her work in linking education and service, her work with the St Vincent de Paul Society, and her contribution to the development of Catholic social services through CSSV. (Sr Toni is pictured, at left, with Chair of CSSV Peter Bearsley)

Other significant contributions included the contributions of former CSSV Council members Helen McPhee and Suzi McManus, and the contribution to the sector of organisational leaders Paul Linossier of MacKillop Family Services, Michael Yore of Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services, and Sr Ann Halpin, of Wellsprings for Women.

Fr Tony Kerin was welcomed as the recently appointed Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Service in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and his predecessor in that role, Bishop Christopher Prowse, was welcomed in his new capacity as Bishop of Sale. The gathering also thanked Fr Peter Slater, Administrator of Sale Diocese during an extended inter-regnum, for his support for social services during that period.

A key goal of the evening was further build our community of shared purpose. Feedback indicated that this was achieved - guests enjoyed the evening, caught up with old friends, and also met people they hadn’t met before, and extended their knowledge of the work of the great variety of agencies and programs that were represented on the night.

A keynote address by Barrister Julian McMahon on ‘Justice and Human Rights’, and a response by MacKillop Program Director Helen Burt, assisted reflection on the underlying ties that bind us as a community – our faith-inspired commitment to justice, and to the wellbeing of those who are marginalised. (Julian is pictured at left, with Helen Burt, Director of Operations, MacKillop Family Services and, to the right of the picture, Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria).

Julian emphasised the importance of Catholics engaging in the human rights debates of our time: both the need for us to be engaged in the big issues that cry out for justice in our world; and the need for us to be part of the intellectual debate that refines human rights as they are formulated in our society. He quoted Pope John Paul II’s characterisation of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as ‘one of the highest expressions of the human conscience of our time’; and asserted that the fundamental basis of true human rights was the inherent dignity of each person, from conception to natural death. If we are not part of the drawing out of the consequences of these profound formulations, then we will lose an opportunity to shape the developments that do occur.

Helen complemented Julian’s approach with a presentation that emphasised that Catholic social services are currently strengthening human rights through what they do, as well as what they say – human rights are respected and defended through our putting into action the values of compassion, respect, justice, commitment, affirmation etc.

These various inputs, plus engaging music, fine fare and good company helped us collectively to finish the evening even better placed to continue contributing to this essential work of the Church, of working towards a more just and compassionate society.

Again, thanks to all who participated in and supported this successful event. See below for additional photos.

CSSV submission to Victorian Parliamentary Review on Exceptions and Exemptions to the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (update of 9 July 2009) and opening remarks during oral presentation to the Review (click here for media release of 5 August 2009)

Welcome to Fr Tony Kerin on his appointment as Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Service in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, following the appointment of Bishop Christopher Prowse as Bishop of Sale.

Since his ordination in 1977 Fr Tony (pictured) has been an active contributor to the people of Melbourne and beyond in a range of pastoral roles - see attached summary of Fr Tony's ministry.

Congratulations to Fr Tony on this appointment, as we welcome him to this important role for Catholic social services in Melbourne. We look forward to working with Fr Tony, as he looks forward to meeting many of the people involved in the sector, and to more deeply engage with the pressing issues of the moment, as part of the Church’s broad mission of justice and service.

click on image for text of Charity in Truth

Pope Benedict’s third encyclical, and his first ‘social encyclical’ was released in July 2009. The encyclical, Charity in Truth, covers a wide range of issues including: the necessity for a moral underpinning to just economic relationships; the importance of charity being informed by rigorous analysis; and the necessary link between charity and action for justice. Click on the diagram for the text of the encyclical.

CSSV is organising a breakfast briefing in early September as an introduction to the encyclical for the Catholic social services sector. A seminar is planned for early next year to explore key themes in more depth.

Breakfast briefing 22 July 2009: Post bushfire reconstruction and community rebuilding: Thanks to Janet Cribbes of Centacare Catholic Family Services for an informative update over breakfast on 22 July 2009 on the Church's efforts in post-bushfire community rebuilding. Click here for a short report.

Changes in senior roles in Catholic social services sector: click here for more information on moves and appointments involving
Bishop Christopher Prowse, appointed as Bishop of Sale
Paul Linossier, CEO of MacKillop Family Services
Michael Yore, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services
(update of 22 June 2009)

Update on post-bushfire assistance from Catholic social service agencies (update of 25 May 2009) and on learning lessons for the future (update of 19 June 2009)

CSSV welcomes Victorian Budget focus on the vulnerable members of our society: media release of 5 May 2009

Victorian Budget must maintain focus on the vulnerable members of society: click here for media release of 16th April 2009.

Government called to move urgently to meet needs of vulnerable children in Out of Home Care - see media release of 3 April 2009

2009 Annual General Meeting and Commissioning Mass: see report on our homepage

2009 Melbourne Seminars on Catholic Identity have now concluded- see flyer, and report on the first seminar, on 3 March 2009

Global Financial Crisis - a response in justice and compassion

'Remembering the Vulnerable', by Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director, CSSV (Kairos, 30 Nov 08)

'High quality social services are part of the solution to the Global Financial Crisis', letter of 2 Dec 08 from Victorian Church-based welfare bodies to the Victorian Government and Parliamentarians.

'The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Social Services in Australia', an Issues Paper prepared by Access Economics for Catholic Social Services Australia, Anglicare Australia,The Salvation Army and UnitingCare Australia

Article on Homelessness by Denis Fitzgerald Executive Director, CSSV (Kairos, 2 Nov 08)

Channel 9 Interview with Sr Mary O'Shannassy Director of Catholic Prison Ministry (20 Oct 08)

Media Release and letter to MPs re Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008 (Sept 08)

Media Release - mental health submisison (August 2008)

Submission to the Australian Government Green Paper Which Way Home? A new approach to Homelessness

Opposition to Medical Treatment Bill: Letter of 5 June 2008 from Catholic aged care providers to members of the Victorian Parliament

Notes on 2008 Victorian State Budget

Victorian State Budget (Media release 04/08, 6 May 2008)

Homelessness (Media release 03/08, 23 April 2008)

Submission to the Australia 2020 Summit (April 2008)

2020 Summit (Media release 02/08, 11 April 2008)

Photo Gallery

From the CSSV Annual Dinner 2009:

	CSSV Chair Peter Bearsley congratulates outgoing CEO of MacKillop Family Services, Paul Linossier, on his contribution to Catholic social services
	Michael Perusco, CEO of Sacred Heart Mission, and Frank Quinlan, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia.
	Professor Ruth Webber of the Australian Catholic University and Ms Anne Tuohey, of St Vincent de Paul Aged and Community Services.
	Members of the Council of Catholic Social Services Victoria: Peter Bearsley, Chair: David Beaver, CEO of Centacare Ballarat; Arda Tymensen, Director of Centacare Gippsland; Rev Anthony Kerin, Episcopal Vicar; Johanna Snelleman, CEO of Marillac; Paul Fogarty, Director, CentaCare Sandhurst; Marilyn Webster, Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services; Rev Joe Caddy, CEO of Centacare Catholic Family Services; Brian Dalton, CEO of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Victoria.

Recent Media Coverage - Members