Victoria's Catholic social service agencies met for their annual gathering yesterday to formally commission their work for the coming year.
Episcopal Vicar for Justice and Social Service in the Archdiocese of Melbourne Bishop Christopher Prowse led the celebration of a Mass for leaders and representatives from the wide range of Catholic social service agencies that operate in Victoria.
This incorporated a liturgical commissioning for 2008 to the Gospel ministry of care and the Gospel commitment to justice and mercy.
Bishop Prowse highlighted the natural alignment of the Christian mission with natural sentiments of opposition to injustice; and stressed it was time to "engage with our indigenous brothers and sisters to advance practical reconciliation."
CSS Victoria (CSSV) brings together the various social welfare agencies from the four Catholic dioceses in Victoria, agencies auspiced by religious congregations, the St Vincent de Paul Society, and other bodies that adhere to Catholic social teaching.
CSSV Executive Director Denis Fitzgerald, highlighted the value achieved from cooperation between the agencies in recent years.
The meeting as a whole foreshadowed a program to build on those achievements, involving sector cooperation, representation of the sector and its values, policy and advocacy, and building on the Catholic identity and specific history of each agency.
LINK
Catholic Social Service Victoria