Representatives from Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains and Diocese of Parramatta attended this year’s Hope in Action Conference, showing their steadfast commitment to bringing light and hope to communities across Australia.
Hosted by Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) and held over two days in Sydney, the conference involved more than 130 social service leaders, advocates, and supporters who gathered to discuss the critical need for sustainable funding for social services.
The conference was inspired by the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025 theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” which reminded attendees that hope is an active force – a call to stand in solidarity with those in need, and to work towards lasting change, among other goals.
A pivotal moment during the conference was during the keynote address by Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. Bishop Vincent has also spoken at the 2024 CSSA Governance Forum and 2024 national conference.
In his speech, Bishop Vincent spoke passionately about the importance of hope in action, urging Catholic social services to continue their mission as “fellow pilgrims with God’s poor.”
Drawing from the courage of female leaders like Saint Mary MacKillop and the biblical midwives Shiprah and Puah, who defied oppression to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, Bishop Vincent called on today’s Catholic leaders to adopt a prophetic stance.
He emphasised the need to challenge unjust systems, advocate for the marginalised, and work toward a more just and compassionate society.
“One of the great signs of hope for me is Pope Francis himself,” he said.
“In a world where some are deemed as undeserving and expendable, he has emerged as an increasingly solitary moral voice against perilous global trends such as nationalism, populism, xenophobia, and indifferentism.”
Bishop Vincent’s call for a just and compassionate future resonates strongly within Australia’s social services sector, where honest and courageous advocacy is essential for securing fair and sustainable funding for those serving the most vulnerable.
His emphasis on reframing harsh realities into a vision of hope aligns with the conference’s overarching message of building a more just society through both action and compassion.
Bishop Vincent Long delivers an address at the Hope in Action Conference 2025. Image: CSSA.
Catholic Care’s Executive Director Helen Emmerson was among the attendees, and described how the conference provided a platform to discuss the need for social welfare services, and respond to the needs of the community.
“For a long time Catholic Care has supported the mission of CSSA, standing in solidarity with people who are the most vulnerable in our community,” she said.
“By providing care where it’s needed most, we aim to continue to be the role of Christ in our community – helping people whoever they are, with whatever struggles they face.”
For more information about CSSA and the conference, visit the CSSA website.
