Catholic Social Services Australia

31/10/2026

⏳ The Countdown Continues | Towards 75: Building for the Common Good

With just 4 days to go until the launch of Catholic Social Services Australia's (CSSA) 2026–2031 Strategic Vision, Towards 75: Building for the Common Good, we are reflecting on the values and principles that continue to guide our work and inspire our commitment to social justice.

At the heart of our mission is a powerful message from the Gospel of Matthew (25:40):

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

These words remind us that our responsibility to care for those experiencing poverty, vulnerability and disadvantage is a reflection of our faith, our shared humanity and our commitment to recognising the inherent dignity and worth of every person.

As we prepare to unveil Towards 75, this Gospel message remains central to our vision for the years ahead, calling us to translate compassion into meaningful action, and ensure that those whose voices are too often unheard remain at the centre of our advocacy.

📅 4 November 2026 | Official Launch

Stay tuned as we prepare to share the next chapter of CSSA's journey.

Towards 75. Building for the Common Good.

30/10/2026

Strengthening Connections and Exploring Place-Based Approaches

Catholic Social Services Australia’s (CSSA) CEO, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia, and Director of Policy and Advocacy, Ms Carmel Sefian, were delighted to meet with Ms Rowena Cann, Convenor of the Places and Hubs portfolios at Queensland Kids Partnership (QKP), in Brisbane earlier this month.

QKP is an initiative led by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY), bringing together organisations, communities and decision-makers across Queensland to transform systems and create opportunities for all children and young people to thrive.

During the meeting, Rowena shared insights into her work and commitment to being of service through coordinated support, evidence-based action and community-led solutions.

With over a decade of experience advancing place-based approaches, Rowena is recognised for her leadership in bringing together government, philanthropy and community leaders to strengthen collaboration and drive meaningful systems change. Her work focuses on fostering shared decision-making, strengthening local leadership and translating complex systems thinking into practical action that responds to the needs and priorities of communities.

We sincerely thank Rowena for taking the time to meet with us and share her insights, experiences and deep commitment to amplifying community voices and supporting approaches that are led by, and accountable to, the communities they serve.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring opportunities for CSSA to facilitate further discussions on the strengths and potential of place-based and hub models across our Catholic social services member network.

29/10/2026

⏳ The Countdown Begins! Something Exciting Is Coming!

A renewed vision. A stronger collective voice. A shared commitment to the Common Good.

On 4 November 2026, Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) will officially launch its 2026–2031 Strategic Plan: Towards 75: Building for the Common Good.

As we look towards 75 years of Catholic Social Services Australia, we are setting our sights on the future, building on our foundations, strengthening our national voice and shaping our next chapter.

Our new Strategic Plan will guide how we work alongside our members, the Church and our partners to strengthen advocacy, deepen collaboration and advance social justice, ensuring that human dignity and the Common Good remain at the heart of everything we do.

It is a renewed commitment to the communities we serve, the organisations we represent and the future we are working together to build.

📅 Mark your calendars: 4 November 2026.

The countdown is officially on! Stay tuned as we prepare to unveil Towards 75: Building for the Common Good.

28/10/2026

Faith in Action: An Election Guide | Catholic Bishops of Victoria

As Victorians prepare for the upcoming State Election, the Catholic Bishops of Victoria have released Faith in Action: An Election Guide, a thoughtful resource inviting Catholics to reflect on how our faith and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching can guide us in making informed decisions.

Our Catholic faith reminds us that every person has inherent dignity and worth, and that we share a responsibility to care for one another, particularly those experiencing vulnerability, hardship and disadvantage. This includes people experiencing homelessness, individuals and families affected by domestic and family violence, First Nations peoples, people involved in the justice system and those facing barriers to support and opportunity.

The guide also draws attention to key policy matters that shape the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities. As we consider the policies, values and commitments of those seeking to represent us, the Bishops encourage us to reflect on four important questions:

- How do they uphold the human dignity of every person?
- How do they promote and advance the common good?
- How do they support subsidiarity, enabling communities and local institutions to participate in decisions that affect them?
- How do they foster solidarity, especially with those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or excluded?

We warmly encourage all Catholics to take the time to read this guide and engage in meaningful conversations about how our faith can inform our participation in democracy, deepen our understanding of the issues that matter, and inspire thoughtful choices that contribute to the common good and the wellbeing of our communities.

Read Faith in Action: An Election Guide: https://bit.ly/StateElection2026



Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Catholic Social Services Victoria Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia

26/10/2026

26/10/2026

37th Australian National Prayer Breakfast | The Way Down is the Way Up

Sometimes, the greatest strength we can show is not in how high we rise, but in the counterintuitive Christian hope that God meets us in the valley, where we may be formed deeply and encounter Him most clearly.

This beautiful message was at the heart of the 37th Australian National Prayer Breakfast at which Catholic Social Services Australia was delighted to support as a table sponsor.

It was a wonderful opportunity to share this special morning with our colleagues and friends from across the Catholic social services sector, including Clare McNamara, Branka Van Der Linden, Jane Kilmartin, Libby Andrew, Monsignor John Woods, Carmel Sefian, Katie Walsh-Smith and Neha Shetty, alongside parliamentarians, faith leaders and representatives from communities across Australia.

This year's theme, “The Way Down is the Way Up,” inspired by the Valley of Vision prayer, invited us to reflect on the transformative power of humility, kindness and selfless service. It reminded us that true leadership is not measured by the authority we hold or the recognition we receive, but in finding ourselves in the depths of the valley, and finding but seeing God in the heights.

Our heartfelt thanks to The Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, for his beautiful welcome address, which set such a warm and thoughtful tone for the morning, and to Rev James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, for leading us in a beautiful moment of prayer, bringing everyone together in a spirit of faith, unity and fellowship.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Attorney-General of Australia, representing the Prime Minister, and The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Leader of the Opposition, for their inspiring addresses, which added depth to the morning’s reflections and reminded us of the importance of leading with compassion, embracing our shared humanity and working together for the common good.

Our sincere appreciation also goes to Mr David Smith MP and Mr Henry Pike MP, Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, for their commitment to fostering this wonderful tradition of prayer, connection and fellowship.

A special thank you to keynote speaker Amy Brown, whose reflections on this year's theme encouraged us to see humility not as weakness, but as a profound expression of strength, and to recognise that even in life's most difficult moments, there is room for faith, hope and grace.

May we carry the spirit of this morning beyond the walls of Parliament House and into our communities, our conversations and our everyday actions.

24/10/2026

Yesterday in Melbourne, I had the joy of reconnecting with Brendan Podbury, now State President of Vinnies Victoria, after many years.

Brendan was the Youth Minister in Bathurst during my teenage years - a period profoundly shaped by loss. When my mother passed away, my younger sister (13) and I (16) were left orphaned.

Looking back, I often reflect on the web of support that surrounded us: principally my older brothers and sisters and broader family, but significantly the material and non-material support from our Church and faith community.

Brendan's counsel, compassion, and care were a significant part of that support, and they undeniably influenced the trajectory of my life.

This led me to reflect on the challenge we face in social services: how do we capture, let alone measure, the impact of such interactions? They don't fit neatly into a 'counting widgets' approach. Yet these moments of genuine care and connection shape lives in ways that ripple forward through decades.

This is why I'm incredibly proud that Catholic Social Services Australia, under the leadership of our Director of Policy and Advocacy, Carmel Sefian, is at the forefront of innovative work in outcomes and impact measurement within our Catholic social service community.

Carmel will be sharing more about this exciting initiative soon - work that I believe will serve as a powerful tool for both government and our sector.

Catholic Social Teaching speaks of the Common Good as "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily."

The totality of social conditions - not merely social policies. It's the Brendans of this world, the faith communities, the families, the moments of compassion that create these conditions where people can flourish.

Grateful for the reunion, and grateful for the work ahead.



Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Catholic Diocese of Bathurst

22/10/2026

CSSA Queensland Member Visits | Part 2: Townsville

Continuing their Queensland member visits, Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) CEO Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia and Director of Policy and Advocacy Ms Carmel Sefian visited Townsville on 13 October, to strengthen our relationships and deepen CSSA's understanding of Catholic social service delivery across North Queensland's region.

Diocese of Townsville

Dr Nockles and Ms Sefian met with Bishop Timothy J Harris, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, for a discussion about the changing social and economic pressures affecting communities across North Queensland and the importance of maintaining strong connections between Church leadership and frontline social service organisations.

The meeting provided an opportunity to explore how the Church's pastoral leadership and the practical experience of Catholic social service providers can work together to identify emerging community needs, address gaps in support and respond to the challenges facing families and individuals across the region.

Centacare North Queensland

Dr Nockles and Ms Sefian also met with Paula Washington, CEO of Centacare NQ, alongside members of her leadership team, to gain valuable insights into the opportunities and operational challenges they face in delivering essential social services across the region.

For Centacare North Queensland, this includes servicing 10 sites across North Queensland and the Gulf Country, with outreach to a further 8 towns in the region.

Centacare North Queensland's extensive service footprint demonstrates the scale of responsibility carried by regional providers and the unique challenges associated with it, from responding to diverse and increasingly complex community needs to maintaining a skilled and supported workforce, managing the practical realities of distance and accessibility, and balancing immediate service demands with long-term organisational sustainability.

These insights also raise important questions about how funding arrangements, workforce strategies and government policies can better reflect the true cost and complexity of delivering essential services across regional and remote Australia.

Our sincere thanks to Bishop Tim Harris, Paula Washington and the Centacare North Queensland leadership team for their warm hospitality, generosity in sharing their experiences and continued commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities across North Queensland.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations and strengthening our collective efforts to advocate for a fairer and more compassionate Australia.

20/10/2026

Federal MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after she was struck by a four-wheel drive near her office, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was an intentional attack being investigated by counterterrorism police. Source: The Age.

19/10/2026

Last week, Catholic Social Services Australia CEO, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia and Director of Policy and Advocacy, Carmel Sefian travelled across Queensland, meeting with Church leaders and member organisations to strengthen relationships and deepen CSSA's understanding of regional service delivery.

Rockhampton | Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton and CatholicCare Central Queensland

In Rockhampton, Dr Nockles and Ms Sefian received a warm welcome from Bishop Danny Meagher who was appointed as the 11th Bishop of Rockhampton in April. Bishop Meagher reflected on the Church's shared mission to be a beacon of light to people experiencing disadvantage and to strengthen communities throughout the Diocese.

This includes outreach to some parishes that are hundreds of kilometres apart from Rockhampton, to Bundaberg in the south, Mackay in the north and west to the Northern Territory border.

While in Rockhampton, Dr Nockles and Ms Sefian also met with Robert Sims, CEO of CatholicCare Central Queensland and Board Chair, Peter Long and members of the CatholicCare Central Queensland Executive Team including Leisa Kilsby, Chief Financial & Risk Officer and Jesse Trecco-Alexander (MAICD), Executive Manager, Program Delivery. The team shared with CSSA the unique environment and challenges of delivering social services in their area, and amidst a time of significant organisational change and policy reform.

These visits are particularly important for us, as they provide an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the unique challenges facing Catholic social service organisations in regional areas.

They help us understand the operational realities of delivering Catholic social services across geographically dispersed locations and maintaining a skilled and supported workforce, and balancing immediate service demands with longer-term organisational sustainability.

Our sincere thanks to Bishop Danny Meagher, Robert Sims and the CatholicCare Central Queensland teams for their warm hospitality, generosity and their steadfast commitment to our shared mission. CSSA continues to be inspired and energised to continue our advocacy efforts in support of the transformational work you and your team do every day to support all people’s dignity, equality, and participation.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and strengthening the collective voice of Catholic social services across Australia.

More from our Queensland member visits in Part 2.