Celebrating 10 years of Compassionate Partnership

We are proud to mark a decade of meaningful partnership between our parish and CatholicCare Victoria, united in our shared commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

CatholicCare Victoria’s Asylum Seeker Support Program (ASSP) continues to be a beacon of hope for individuals and families who have been displaced from their homelands.  Through personalised and holistic care, the program responds to the complex and varied needs of asylum seekers – offering tailored support that upholds dignity, fosters resilience, and encourages pathways toward a brighter future.

Asylum seekers often face profound uncertainty and significant barriers to housing, employment, financial stability, and access to healthcare.  Many live under restrictive bridging visas, with limited rights to work or study, and are excluded from essential government supports such as Centrelink and public housing.  A single setback – such as job loss – can quickly lead to homelessness, compounding challenges like mental health struggles, language barriers, and social isolation.

In the midst of these hardships, and while awaiting visa decisions from the Australian Government, the ASSP provides compassionate, resourceful assistance – empowering individuals to navigate one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

Thanks to your generosity, our parish plays a vital role in bridging this gap.  Your support helps asylum seekers access the care they need to rebuild their lives, restore hope, and find stability in a new and unfamiliar environment.

We warmly invite you to join us on Thursday, 14 August at 7:00 pm in the Gathering Space at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, where CatholicCare Victoria will share insights into their impactful work with refugees and asylum seekers.

Come and hear how your support is making a real and lasting difference – helping families find safety, stability, and renewed hope.

Let us come together to celebrate the strength of community and answer the Gospel call to welcome the stranger.

By Kate Baines