Two Religious, Fr Bruce Duncan CSsR and Sr Mary O’Shannassy SGS, have been inducted as life members of Catholic Social Services Victoria, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the mission of the organisation and the broader social services landscape of Victoria.
Fr Bruce and Sr Mary were conferred with the honour when more than 150 organisational members, associate members, life members, and friends of Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) joined together on the evening of Friday, August 8, for the 2025 CSSV Annual Dinner at the State Library of Victoria.
Fr Bruce Duncan CSsR and Sr Mary O’Shannassy SGS receive their life memberships of Catholic Social Services Victoria. PHOTO: CSSV website.
Fr Bruce has long supported CSSV’s strategic work through contributions to research, advocacy, publications, programs and events.
“As a teacher and researcher at Yarra Theological Union and inaugural Director of the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy, Bruce has contributed to a deeper understanding of the work of justice and service as core to the Gospel,” the CSSV website said.
He cofounded Social Policy Connections, a testament to his dedication to promoting social justice informed by Christian social principles in the public arena. Since 2016, Fr Bruce has also served as chaplain for Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria, promoting and walking with First Peoples in the Church.
Sr Mary O’Shannassy was awarded life membership for her ministry of service as one of Victoria’s longest serving prison chaplains, providing thousands of prisoners with emotional, spiritual, sacramental and pastoral support.
“For more than a decade, she managed Victoria’s Catholic Prison Ministry, overseeing staff and volunteers, and helping to establish sacred chapel spaces in Victorian prisons,” the website said.
“Mary has contributed to collaborative advocacy and awareness for the issues people in prisons are facing, and was a valuable contribution to the CSSV Research Steering Committee formed to support the 2020 research report: Prisoner-caregiving Programs: Supporting Older Prisoners.
“We congratulate Fr Bruce and Sr Mary on this appointment, which is a reflection of the impact their work has had on social services, policy and people in Victoria.”
This article is drawn from information in an article on the Catholic Social Services Victoria website.