Chaplaincy

Today, 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. They help people work through life's issues. They assist in times of crisis and difficulty. In short, wherever there is a need; there the Chaplain needs to be.

We refer to the outreach provided by Chaplains as Pastoral Care or Spiritual Care. Chaplains provide non-judgemental support to all, irrespective of their belief system, ethnicity or social position.

Chaplains are respectful of anyone they meet in the outreach they provide daily, no matter the meeting place. They provide a link between the church and the marketplace.

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle supports the following chaplaincies, many of which are carried out under the oversight and authority of external bodies. An asterix (*) denotes those chaplaincies governed by external bodies:

Aged Care

Pastoral care is provided to those in aged care facilities around the diocese.

Calvary Residential Aged Care – St Joseph's Nursing Home, Sandgate * Calvary Retirement Community Cessnock * Catholic Health Care Services - Charles O'Neill Hostel Mayfield West, St John's Villa New Lambton *
Sally-Anne Lindle Di Thompson Dennis Carroll
(02) 4967 0656 (02) 4993 9117 0407 757 482
Email Email Email
Armed Forces

Armed forces chaplains assist members of the Australian Defence Force, regardless of faith or denomination. They offer pastoral and spiritual care to men and women who face the rigours of service, including separation, relationship difficulties and the stress associated with training and combat. In Australia, chaplains undertake the same training as military personnel, and are often deployed.

Air Force *
Rev. Raphael Abboud
0401 627 777
Email: raphael.abboud@defence.gov.au
Curia

The Chaplain to the Diocesan Curia provides pastoral and spiritual care and support to the members of staff in the Curia.

Curia - Staff of the Curia 

Helene O'Neill 
(02) 4979 1133
0400 781 374
Email: helene.oneill@mn.catholic.org.au

 

Educational Institutes

Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie

Rev Anthony Coloma
(02) 4068 1000
Email: anthony.coloma@mn.catholic.org.au

San Clemente High School, Mayfield

Rev Anthony Coloma
(02) 4014 7300
Email: anthony.coloma@mn.catholic.org.au

University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle operates a Multifaith Chaplaincy Department. 

Rev Deacon Greg Kerr
0412 691 227
Email: greg.kerr@mn.catholic.org.au

Ethnic Groups

Croatian Community *

Croatian Catholic Centre and Chapel of St Joseph
17 Bryant St, Tighes Hill 2297

Chaplain to be advised.

Polish Community *

3 Murray Square, Mayfield 2304

Ph: (02) 4967 1104 

Rev Bogdan Wilkaniec SChr

Ukrainian Community *

105 Gosford Rd, Adamstown 2289

Ph: (02) 4961 3651         

Email: ukrchurch.newcastle@iinet.net.au

Rev Paul Berezniuk

Vietnamese Catholic Community 

Christ the King Church
388 Maitland Rd, Mayfield West 2304

Rev John Vo
Email: john.vo@mn.catholic.org.au

Hospitals

Hospital chaplains provide pastoral and spiritual outreach to the patients, their families and staff of hospital facilities. Their listening ear provides comfort for those who may be struggling with life issues during the difficulties of being unwell.

Calvary Mater Hospital *

Margot McCrindle
(02) 4014 4687
Email

Sally Lavis
(02) 4014 4687
Email

John Hunter Hospital

Elizabeth Lennan
0429 264 204
Email

Maitland Hospital 

Maitland Catholic Region Parish Office 
(02) 4933 8918
Email

Port

The Apostleship of the Sea chaplain cares for seafarers of all nationalities visiting Newcastle port. Port chaplains offer practical, pastoral and spiritual support by visiting ships, talking with and praying with seafarers, celebrating Mass and helping them to connect with their families whilst away from home.

Port (Apostleship of the Sea)

Bernadette Barry
(02) 4961 5007
Email

 

To learn more about port chaplaincy, you can listen to an interview between Rick McCosker and ABC Radio's Paul Bevan below:

https://soundcloud.com/user-894451812/rick-mccosker-discusses-port-chaplaincy-on-abc-radio

Prison

Prison Chaplains provide a ministry of healing, sustaining, guiding and reconciling to inmates and their families in times of crisis, illness, depression and death and to staff in often stressful situations.

Through worship and religious practice, theological understanding, meditation, devotional activity and discussion of scriptural themes, Chaplains can help inmates to become more at one with themselves, with others, and with God.

Cessnock Correctional Centre

Deacon Viane Perez
0437 795 233
Email

Deacon Gerard McCarthy
0437 925 681
Email

Sports

Sports chaplaincy is a developing ministry which provides a listening ear in an arena where people experience the highs and lows of participation. At a grassroots level, particularly school-based competitions, overzealous parents or highly competitive students can bring an unwelcome element, to a fun event, for which a chaplain can be on hand to assist in managing such situations.

The role of the chaplain whether working in the public domain or as part of the diocesan system can be an exciting one, as the role reaches out to the people. There are stories of success, friendship but also struggle. Sports chaplains epitomise faith in action.

Sports Chaplain

Helene O'Neill
0400 781 374
Email