What is a Chaplain?
Chaplaincy is a specialised ministry done by priests, deacons, religious or lay people. They are trained to provide care and support – personally, emotionally, physically, relationally and spiritually. They listen, providing a safe environment for people to share their concerns and feelings.
Where are our Chaplains?
Currently, we have Chaplains working in John Hunter Hospital, Mission to Seafarers, the University of Newcastle, Cessnock and Shortland Correctional Centres.
The Mission & Evangelisation team liaises with a variety of networks, forums, and support services beyond our core function to parishes. This ensures God’s mission is even richer in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This includes, but is not limited to, Caritas, Catholic Mission, Aid to the Church in Need, migrant chaplaincies, the LGBTQIA+ Forum, ecumenical endeavours, natural family planning, and the Hunter Community Alliance.
Who are our Chaplains?
| Location | Name | Email address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessnock Correctional Centre - Shortland | Deacon Viane Perez | [email protected] | 0437 795 233 |
| Cessnock Correctional Centre - Hunter | Deacon Gerard McCarthy | [email protected] | 0437 925 681 |
| The Mission to Seafarers - Stella Maris | Bernadette Barry | [email protected] | 0419 208 935 |
| University of Newcastle | Robert Copas | [email protected] | 0438 794 303 |
| John Hunter Hospital | Elizabeth Lennan | [email protected] | 0429 264 204 |
| John Hunter Hospital | Alvaro Roca | [email protected] | 0427 145 982 |
| John Hunter Hospital | April MacNeill | [email protected] | 0461 251 651 |
| John Hunter Hospital | Fr James Odoh (external on-call) | [email protected] | 0474 293 284 |
Latin Mass Chaplaincy
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, this chaplaincy exists for the faithful of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle who are attracted to the liturgical traditions of the Church, namely, the Latin Tridentine Mass. Holy Mass is celebrated according to the 1962 liturgical books, which include the use of Latin, Gregorian Chant, and deep liturgical symbolism (praying ad orientem, facing east). Our community seeks holiness through participation in this liturgy, a deep sacramental and prayer life, and fraternal charity – all of this in fidelity to the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
The Priestly Fraternity of St Peter are a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right established in 1988 for the sanctification of its priestly members through the celebration of Holy Mass and the Sacraments according to the 1962 liturgical books. Because a priest finds his holiness in serving Christ in Himself and in His members, we seek to bring souls under our pastoral care to holiness. We work in the living Church, professing fidelity to the hierarchy of the Church, by whom we are sent to minister to Christ’s faithful.
| Clergy | Mass Location | Mass Times and Confession Schedule | Key Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaplain: Fr Richard Wallace, FSSP Fr Wallace lives in Sydney during the week and drives up for Sunday Mass | St John the Baptist Catholic Chapel - 8 Cathedral Street, Maitland NSW 2320 | Sunday Mass: 9:30am Confessions: 30 minutes before Mass and after Mass by request Please contact Fr Wallace to inquire about Baptism, reception into the Catholic Church, First Communion and Weddings. | Safeguarding Officer: Francis Young Community Liaison Coordinator: Mary Saywell |