Catholic Social Services Australia

15/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Holy Father. From the CSSA community…

From all of us at Catholic Social Services Australia, we extend our warmest birthday wishes and prayers to Pope Leo XIV, with gratitude for his life, his ministry and his continued call to build a world shaped by love, compassion and care for one another.

His message of standing alongside those who are vulnerable, welcoming those at the margins and recognising the dignity of every person speaks deeply to the heart of Catholic social services and the work of our members in communities across Australia.

As Pope Leo begins another year of life and service, we pray that he is blessed with good health, strength, joy and peace, and that he continues to feel the love and prayers of communities around the world.



Australian Catholic Bishops Conference CatholicCare - Diocese of Wollongong CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare Central Queensland CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes - CCWF Centacare Kimberley Centacare New England North West Centacare Catholic Community Services

15/09/2026

Congratulations to the entire CatholicCare - Diocese of Wollongong team on receiving the 2026 Outstanding Community Organisation Award at the Illawarra Business Awards!

A wonderful recognition of the incredible work, dedication and commitment of the CatholicCare team in supporting individuals, families and communities.

Congratulations to everyone involved! 👏

13/09/2026

Today, Catholic Social Services Australia joins Catholic communities across Australia in marking Safeguarding Sunday 2026, under this year’s powerful theme: ‘Love Protects’.

Safeguarding is more than a responsibility. It is how we put love into action.

It means creating communities where children, young people and adults at risk are truly heard, believed and respected. It means noticing when someone may be struggling, having the courage to speak up when something isn’t right, and ensuring every person knows they are not alone.

Safeguarding Sunday is also an opportunity to honour those who work tirelessly to build cultures of safety, trust and accountability across our sector and the wider Church. It invites each of us to consider how we can listen more deeply, respond more courageously and help protect the dignity and wellbeing of others.

As Bishop Greg Bennet reminds us:

“Love protects when we listen. Love protects when we act. Love protects when we place the wellbeing of others at the centre of our decisions and our ministry.”

This Safeguarding Sunday, may we recommit ourselves to building communities where every person is valued, respected, heard and safe.

Because every person matters. Every voice matters. And when we choose to listen, act and care, love protects.

Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd provides practical tools, guidance and learning resources to help organisations strengthen cultures of safety and care.

🔗 Explore ACSL safeguarding tools and resources -https://mcusercontent.com/2083e11eefa01cabc2d18c057/files/dd803e4c-fc70-27ad-c515-847314cd58e1/Safeguarding_Sunday_Resource_Guide_2026.pdf

🔗 Access safeguarding learning and professional development - https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/digital-learning/elearning-courses/health-safety-courses/safeguarding/



Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

10/09/2026

Sometimes, a simple question can open the door to a conversation that matters.

On R U OK? Day, we are reminded of the importance of checking in with the people around us - not only today, but ANY day.

Across the Catholic social services sector, we see the power of human connection every day. Taking the time to listen, to notice when someone may be struggling, and to simply be present can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes, it starts with asking three simple words: “R U OK?” - and being ready to genuinely listen to the answer.

Today, we encourage everyone across our network and communities to check in with a colleague, friend, family member or someone who may need to know they are seen and supported.
A conversation may seem like a small gesture, but for someone who is struggling, knowing that another person genuinely cares can mean everything.

10/09/2026

What does it mean to carry your faith into the way you live, work and serve others?

Our CEO, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia, explores this deeply personal question with Steven Cenatiempo at St Christopher’s Cathedral for the Faith in Five series.

Sharing a reflection on faith, life and vocation, Dr Nockles speaks about growing up in a family experiencing disadvantage and seeing firsthand the difference that family, community, faith and compassionate support can make in a person’s life.

He also shares how faith continues to guide his work at CSSA and strengthen his commitment to addressing poverty and disadvantage, so that every person has the opportunity to live with dignity and flourish.

🎥 Watch this beautiful and heartfelt conversation here - https://youtu.be/EqaTnf7hR3M?si=wZ6H2CBxi7qercv3

Welcome to our Faith in Five Interview series, featuring various me...

09/09/2026

As Australians search for answers amid growing social division, political unrest and financial hardship, it is critical that the Church speaks into the public square, says Catholic Social Services Australia chief executive Jerry Nockles. Source: The Catholic Leader.

09/09/2026

📢 Registrations are now open for CSSA’s September Community of Practice: Thriving Kids

As the Thriving Kids reforms continue to take shape, what could the changes mean for organisations working alongside children, young people and families?

Join Catholic Social Services Australia on Wednesday, 16 September, from 1pm–2pm, for an interactive, discussion-led Community of Practice exploring the emerging reforms and their potential implications for our sector.

Together, we’ll unpack the opportunities and challenges ahead and create space for members to ask questions and identify areas where greater clarity and support may be needed.

We warmly encourage members working across early intervention, disability, children and family support to join the conversation and contribute their knowledge and experience.

📅 Wednesday, 16 September 2026
⏰ 1pm–2pm
💻 Online

Register by emailing [email protected] before 15 September 2026, 5:00 pm.

08/09/2026

This National Child Protection Week 2026, CSSA is proud to support the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) in advancing important conversations that put the safety, wellbeing and voices of children and young people at the centre and exp[loring how we can work together to build safer online futures and ensure the voices and experiences of young people help shape the decisions and systems that affect them.

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