Bereavement team * Caring Team * Pastoral Council * Finance Council * Music Ministry * RCIA * Promotors of Safeguarding * EPIC (Young Adults) * Sacramental Team
Bereavement Team
If you have the responsibility of planning a funeral for someone you love and you would like the funeral rite to take place in the Newcastle Inner City Region, the Bereavement Team is here to help. More information is available here
Caring Team
The Caring Team is a quiet but vital expression of the Church’s compassion in action. Through visits, phone calls, prayer, and practical support, members reach out to parishioners who are sick, elderly, isolated, or experiencing difficult times, ensuring that no one feels forgotten or alone.
Inspired by Christ’s call to care for one another, the team offers friendship, listening, and a reminder that the parish community walks together in both joy and sorrow. Their ministry helps extend the pastoral presence of the Cathedral beyond the walls of the church and into the daily lives of our people.
New members are always welcome to share in this ministry of kindness and connection.
Pastoral Council
Parish Pastoral Councils are required in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and deal with pastoral issues within a parish, such as planning, staffing and strategic direction, as determined by the Parish Priest.
Our Regional Pastoral Council is a consultative body providing advice as required by the Parish Priest of the Parishes of St Benedict’s Inner Newcastle, St Columban’s Mayfield and St Peter-in-Chains Stockton.
The Council works alongside the Parish Priest to support the spiritual and pastoral life of our parish communities. Through prayerful reflection, listening and consultation the Council helps to discern the needs, hopes and opportunities of our parish communities and assists in shaping priorities for worship, outreach, formation and community life.
Regional Pastoral Council members are a mix of parishioners appointed by the Parish Priest or elected by our parish communities and represent the voice and experience of our parishioners. They offer advice and encouragement as together we seek to build welcoming, vibrant and mission-focused faith communities. Council members collaborate to provide advice enabling our Parishes to grow in faith, deepen participation, and respond to the call of the Gospel in our time.
Finance Council
The Regional Finance Council exists to meet obligations under the Canon Law of the Church and to assist the Parish Priest with the stewardship of the material goods of the Parishes of St Benedict’s Inner Newcastle, St Columban’s Mayfield and St Peter-in-Chains Stockton.
The Council is a consultative body providing advice as required by the Parish Priest concerning financial matters including budgeting, financial reporting and financial management as well as in relation to all forms of property, insurances, and risk management. Advice includes in relation to responsibilities under the civil law.
Guides by principles of good governance, including transparency and accountability, the Regional Finance Council helps to ensure that the resources of the Parishes in our region are managed wisely and sustainably. This enables the ongoing missions of worship, pastoral care, outreach and service as determined and managed by the Parish Priest and the Regional Pastoral Council to proceed.
Through their expertise, experience and generous volunteer service the Regional Finance Council members assist our group of Parishes in caring for their heritage and their future and helping our faith communities to continue the work of proclaiming the Gospel in Newcastle.
Music Ministry
Music Ministry at Sacred Heart Cathedral
Music lies at the heart of prayer at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Through song, psalm, and sacred silence, our music ministry helps give voice to the faith of the gathered community and enriches the beauty and dignity of the liturgy.
Our cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, and musicians serve not as performers, but as ministers — leading the assembly in prayer, supporting the proclamation of the Word, and helping create moments where hearts are lifted toward God. From great feast days filled with joyful sound to quiet liturgies marked by reflection and hope, music accompanies every step of our worshipping life.
The Cathedral’s music ministry welcomes people of all ages and musical backgrounds who feel called to share their gifts in service of the Church. Whether through choral singing, instrumental music, or congregational leadership, each contribution helps build a prayerful and welcoming community.
As St Augustine reminds us, “those who sing pray twice.” At Sacred Heart Cathedral, we seek to pray well — together — in harmony of voice and spirit.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir rehearses each Thursday at 6pm and sings at the 9:30am Mass on Sundays. All are welcome to come along to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Contact the Anne Millard, Director of Music, @ anne.millard@mn.catholic.org.au
RCIA
The RCIA Team accompanies those who are exploring the Catholic faith or preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Through prayer, teaching, conversation, and personal witness, team members walk alongside seekers and candidates as they grow in understanding, faith, and belonging within the Church.
This ministry is grounded in hospitality and accompaniment, recognising that faith is a journey best travelled in community. The RCIA Team helps create a welcoming space where questions are encouraged, stories are shared, and individuals are supported as they deepen their relationship with Christ and the life of the Church.
In sharing their time, faith, and experience, the team helps welcome new members into the parish community and strengthens the faith of all who participate. More information about RCIA is available here.
Promotors of Safeguarding
Louise Outram, Cynthia Tamonan, Alex Tamonan, Sr Kath Williams rsm, Annie Evans.
EPIC Young Adults
EPIC (Everything Possible in Christ) welcomes all young people aged 18-35 to our Young Adults ministry!
Sacramental Team
If you feel called to assist parents in preparing children for Sacraments of Initiation, or if you would like more information please contact our pastoral associate for Sacraments Mary-Anne de Luca on 0409 077 373 or email mary-anne.deluca@mn.catholic.org.au