Pastoral Ministries
Pastoral Ministries
Pastoral Ministries accompanies all in discerning fullness of life in Jesus Christ. It finds its meaning and purpose in Christ and the faith of the Church which is constantly renewed in its ongoing reception of the Second Vatican Council.
More specifically, regarding this local Church of Maitland-Newcastle, Pastoral Ministries is grounded in the Theological Principles articulated at the 1992-93 Diocesan Synod, and the values emerging from the Church’s ongoing reception of Vatican II and reflection on the experience of ministry and the signs of the times.
Pastoral Ministries exists to serve our parishes, agencies and community. This service finds its focus in the Five Foundations Framework as expressed in Acts 2:42-47:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
The following Five Foundations form the framework for the Pastoral Ministries Office:
- Identity and Community
- Worship and Prayer
- Formation and Education
- Mission and Outreach
- Leadership and Structure
Parishes live in relationship with and are at the service of the wider neighbourhood. Pastoral Ministries seeks to accompany parishes, embodying the ancient axiom, ‘As We Pray, So We Believe, So We live.’ Our shared life in Christ is experienced in the encounter of worship, reflected on as faith seeks understanding, and lived in missionary discipleship. Together we are called to holiness and to proclaim the Good News.
Pastoral Ministries Organisational Chart (COMING SOON)
The Pastoral Ministries Office exists to:
- provide support for parishes and diocesan agencies in their pastoral planning in line with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan (DPP).
- support the work of:
- support the many diocesan pastoral ministries including Hospital Chaplaincy, Prison Chaplaincy, Port Chaplaincy, University Chaplaincy;
- network with national bodies of the Australian Catholic Church
- connect with Apostolic Groups such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, Caritas Australia and Catholic Mission.
The Director of Pastoral Ministries leads a team of people who support God’s mission of healing, support, outreach, formation, worship and connection. These ministries are captured within the five foundations.
Would you like to work for the Pastoral Ministries team?
Keep an eye on our Diocesan positions vacant page