Catholic Social Services Australia

06/09/2026

There is always something special about spending time with the people who bring our shared mission to life every day.

Last month, CSSA CEO Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia returned to Melbourne, where he had the pleasure of catching up with Julie Edwards, CEO of our member organisation Jesuit Social Services, and Josh Lourensz, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria.

These visits were an important opportunity to hear firsthand about the work happening within our network, the challenges facing the communities we serve, and how we can continue to stand alongside one another in our shared commitment for a more just and compassionate Australia.

Dr Nockles also had the privilege of meeting with Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, for a warm and thoughtful conversation about the important role of Catholic social services and the values that continue to guide our work - dignity, compassion, solidarity and care for one another.

A special part of the visit was also hearing about Light into the City, an inspiring vision for the renewal of St Patrick’s Cathedral and its surrounding precinct. The renewal of this beautiful and historic place, is done with the vision to create a welcoming home for prayer, pilgrimage and mercy. It is a tremendously exciting and important piece of work, and we encourage you to visit the site and see the value in this project.

Our heartfelt thanks to Julie, Josh and Archbishop Comensoli for their generous welcome, their time and the important work they continue to lead. It is through these relationships, conversations and our willingness to work together that our shared mission grows stronger and we continue Building for the Common Good.

05/09/2026

In our work, we are blessed to draw inspiration from so many incredible people whose example of living the Gospel gives us strength. None more so than Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

On this, her feast day, I invite you to take a moment for silence.

For as St Teresa taught us:

"The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service."

May her example continue to guide us in loving and serving the least amongst us.

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.

Catholic Social Services Australia

02/09/2026

Relive a very special evening with us...

We are delighted to share the full video from Catholic Social Services Australia’s 70th Anniversary Gala Dinner and McCosker Oration, held in Mural Hall at Parliament House in Canberra as part of our 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit.

The evening brought together members, friends, sector leaders and distinguished guests from across Australia to celebrate 70 years of CSSA’s service, advocacy and commitment to the common good.

Guests were welcomed to Country by Ngunnawal Elder, Aunty Caroline Hughes who reminded us that the common good is something to be practiced every day, and to be passed down for future generations.

We were also deeply honoured to receive a special video address from the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC. Her words were a meaningful reminder of the responsibility we all share to serve, care for and stand alongside one another.

A highlight of the evening was the McCosker Oration, delivered by the Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC, who reflected on some of the significant social challenges facing Australia and the importance of working together with love, care and compassion to build a fairer and more inclusive society.

We were also honoured to hear from the Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services, Prevention of Family Violence, and Assistant Minister for Women, and to celebrate Professor Maria Harries, recipient of CSSA’s Lifetime Contribution Award, recognising her remarkable contribution and many years of dedicated service to the Catholic social services community.

For those who joined us, we hope the video brings back some wonderful memories. For those who couldn’t be there, we warmly invite you to watch and share in this special celebration with us.

🎥 Watch the full Gala Dinner and McCosker Oration on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/2fI80eMiIDU?si=PzdYIt2fTwDebEtt

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

29/08/2026

On this Social Justice Sunday, we pray for the Grace to see one another not as strangers or opponents, but as sisters and brothers, worthy of dignity, respect and compassion.

The beautiful prayer below is part of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel In Times of Social Division.

You created every person in your image
and call us to live as one human family.
In a world marked by division, fear
and misunderstanding, fill our hearts`
with the self-giving love of Christ. Teach
us to see one another not as strangers
or opponents, but as sisters and
brothers, worthy of dignity, respect and
compassion.

Give us the courage to build bridges
where there is distrust, to seek
encounter where there is separation,
and to work for justice with humility
and mercy. Help us to listen with open
hearts, speak with kindness, and walk
together in the way of peace.

May your Holy Spirit guide us to
welcome the stranger, stand beside
those on the margins, reject all forms
of hatred and racism, and become
instruments of reconciliation in our
communities.

Through the example of Saint
Maximilian Kolbe and all the saints,
strengthen us to live the Gospel
through sacrifice, generosity and love,
so that your light may shine through us
and bring hope to our nation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Read the Social Justice Statement here:
https://cssa.org.au/resources/social-justice-statements/

26/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful Anniversary sponsors

Our heartfelt thanks to Commonwealth Bank of Australia, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Clonakilla Wines for their generous support of CSSA’s 70th Anniversary Gala Dinner and McCosker Oration.

Your support helped us bring together our members, partners and friends from across Australia to celebrate a story that belongs to so many - generations of people who have served, advocated, cared and stood alongside individuals, families and communities through times of challenge and change.

Support like this matters. It strengthens the connections that make our work possible and helps create opportunities for our community to come together and continue important conversations about how we can better our communities.

Thank you for standing alongside CSSA, supporting our mission and helping to make our 70th Anniversary celebration one we will remember for many years to come.

24/08/2026

CSSA was pleased to join Homelessness Australia Breaking the Crisis Cycle event at Parliament House, bringing together voices from across the homelessness, housing and mental health sectors to advocate for solutions that enable people with complex needs and mental ill health to escape homelessness and thrive.

The event brought forward a clear call for action - practical solutions that can help people find a safe and secure home, remain housed and rebuild their lives with the right support.

1. Expand supportive housing models, with 20,000 additional Housing First places created over the next five years.

2. Establish a national tenancy sustainment program to help people with psychosocial disability keep their homes.

It was incredibly insightful to hear from Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia; Carolyn Nikoloski, CEO of Mental Health Australia; Erin Longbottom, National Director of Homelessness at St Vincent's Health Australia; Sher Brunhartzy from Launch Housing; James Maskey, National Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA); the Hon Clare O'Neil MP, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities; and Jess Shurmer from Wellways

We were especially moved to hear from Brina, who generously shared her own journey through mental ill health, homelessness and addiction - bringing the human experience at the heart of these conversations.

Thank you to Homelessness Australia for inviting us to be part of this important conversation. We are grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn and stand alongside others working towards a future where everyone, no matter how complex their circumstances, has the support, dignity and opportunity they need to find a safe place to call home and thrive.

23/08/2026

There is something powerful about bringing different voices together.

At CSSA’s 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit, two special panel conversations reminded us of the value of coming together with openness, respect and a shared commitment to the common good.

‘Building for the Common Good: Leading in Turbulent Times’, featuring Allegra Spender MP and Dai Le MP, explored what leadership looks like when the world around us feels uncertain - the courage to make difficult decisions, the compassion to listen to lived experience, and the importance of remaining connected to the people and communities we are called to serve.

Reflecting on the richness that different cultures bring to our shared Australian story, Allegra Spender MP shared:

“Culture is a gift and an exchange. Australian culture is not fixed but evolving, but we all have the same shared values and rights, including the expectation that we tolerate difference.”

Dai Le MP beautifully added:
“You can give the gift of your culture to the country.”

Faith in the Public Square: ‘Guiding Principles for Collective Action’, with Senator Matthew Canavan and Senator Deborah O'Neill, opened an important conversation about the place of faith and values in our shared public life. It reflected on how, even when our views differ, we can listen with respect, recognise the dignity of one another and find common ground from which to act - together, for the wellbeing of our communities.

Senator Deborah O’Neill reflected on the common thread of human dignity that can unite us across different faith traditions:
“All religions have their own language for the fundamental dignity of all. There is enough language for dignity for us to share this value.”

And Senator Matthew Canavan offered a thought-provoking reflection:
“Those held up as saints often commit the biggest sins.”

Our heartfelt thanks to our panellists for sharing their time, experiences and perspectives with us, and for being part of these important and meaningful conversations.



Image credit - Paul Chapman 2026

Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia Australian Catholic Bishops Conference CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Tasmania Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes - CCWF CatholicCare NT CatholicCare Central Queensland Catholic Social Services Victoria Centacare New England North West MacKillop Family Services Marist180 Centacare Kimberley

22/08/2026

Humanitas Magnifica: Carrying the message of our Holy Father into the heart of Parliament

During our 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit – Building for the Common Good – our CEO, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia, had the special and deeply meaningful privilege of sharing Pope Leo XIV’s recent Apostolic Exhortation, Humanitas Magnifica, with parliamentarians at Parliament House.

It was a moment that beautifully connected our Catholic mission with the conversations taking place within Parliament – bringing the Holy Father’s message into a space where decisions about Australia’s future are shaped.

Humanitas Magnifica offers a profound reflection on what it means to be human in a world undergoing extraordinary change. It asks us to consider not only the future we are creating, but who that future is for - and how we ensure our shared humanity is never lost along the way.

We are deeply thankful to our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, for his wisdom and spiritual guidance. May his message continue to guide our hearts, strengthen our mission and inspire us to serve with compassion as we continue Building for the Common Good.



Image credit - Paul Chapman 2026

Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia Louise Miller-Frost MP Julian Hill MP Senator Deborah O'Neill Senator Matthew Canavan Dai Le Melissa McIntosh MP

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Tasmania Catholic Care Blue Mountains CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes - CCWF CatholicCare NT CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare New England North West Catholic Social Services Victoria Centacare Kimberley Marist180

21/08/2026

Strong families are at the heart of strong communities. And when families are supported through life’s hardest moments, we build a stronger nation.

At CSSA’s 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit – Building for the Common Good – we were honoured to welcome The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Social Services, for her address, ‘Building for the Common Good: Supporting Families’.

In her address, Minister Plibersek reflected on the importance of supporting Australian families through the pressures and challenges they face, and the vital role of social services in ensuring people have somewhere to turn when life becomes difficult.

For Catholic Social Services Australia and our members, this is a commitment lived every day. Every day, our members witness the courage and resilience of families navigating hardship and uncertainty. They understand the difference that the right support, at the right time, can make in helping someone navigate through the difficult times - giving them the hope for what comes next.

That frontline experience must have a place in the decisions that shapes our nation.

Our heartfelt thanks to Minister Plibersek for joining us at Parliament House, for sharing her reflections with our members, and for being part of this important conversation about how we can better support Australian families.



Image credit - Paul Chapman 2026

Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia Australian Catholic Bishops Conference CatholicCare Sydney Centacare New England North West Centacare Kimberley CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare Family Services Marist180 Catholic Social Services Victoria CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare - Diocese of Broken Bay CatholicCare NT CatholicCare - Diocese of Wollongong

20/08/2026

Day 2 | CSSA 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit - Building for the Common Good

Day 2 of our 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit brought us back to the heart of why we gather at Parliament House - to bring the voices, experiences and hopes of the people and communities we serve into the conversations where decisions are made.

It was a day of listening, learning and meaningful dialogue, as CSSA members from across Australia came together with parliamentarians, sector leaders and community voices to reflect on some of the most important challenges facing our nation - from social cohesion and belonging to families under pressure, human rights and the delivery of social services.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible line-up of speakers who so generously shared their time, experience and perspectives with us:

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Social Services
The Hon Peter Khalil MP, Assistant Minister for Defence and Former Special Envoy for Social Cohesion
The Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs
Senator Dave Sharma (NSW), Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, Chair, Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs
Ms Melissa McIntosh MP, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services, Women, and the NDIS
Ms Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, Federal Member for Swan and Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Mr Fabio Forgione, Operations Manager, House of Welcome (St Francis Social Services)
Ms Anthea Hancocks, CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute

These are the stories our members carry with them into Parliament House. These are the voices at the heart of our advocacy.

Thank you for listening to the experiences of our members and the communities they walk alongside, and for contributing so openly to conversations about the kind of Australia we want to build.

We leave the 2026 Parliamentary Advocacy Summit deeply grateful for the conversations shared, the relationships strengthened and the collective commitment to continue walking alongside individuals, families and communities across Australia.



Image credit - Paul Chapman 2026

Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia Australian Catholic Bishops Conference CatholicCare Sydney Centacare New England North West Centacare Family Services Marist180 Catholic Social Services Victoria CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare - Diocese of Broken Bay CatholicCare - Diocese of Wollongong CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare Kimberley CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes - CCWF