Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
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Chaplaincies

Our Diocese is proud to provide spiritual and pastoral support to our community through the provision of Chaplains.

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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?

LocationNameEmail addressPhone number
Cessnock Correctional Centre - ShortlandDeacon Viane Perez[email protected]0437 795 233
Cessnock Correctional Centre - HunterDeacon Gerard McCarthy[email protected]0437 925 681
The Mission to Seafarers - Stella MarisBernadette Barry[email protected]0419 208 935
University of NewcastleRobert Copas[email protected]0438 794 303
John Hunter HospitalElizabeth Lennan[email protected]0429 264 204
John Hunter HospitalAlvaro Roca[email protected]0427 145 982
John Hunter HospitalApril MacNeill[email protected]0461 251 651
John Hunter HospitalFr 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.

ClergyMass LocationMass Times and Confession ScheduleKey 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
Priestly Fraternity of St Peter
Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

The Diocese acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, sea and water ways on which the Diocese is located - Awabakal, Biripi, Darkinjung, Kamilaroi, Wiradjuri, Worimi, Wonnarua. We commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.


Get in Touch

Phone
(02) 4979 1200
Office Address
841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West 2302 NSW
Website
mn.catholic.org.au
Email
[email protected]

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