Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

About Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is one of the region’s largest employers. The diocese provides pastoral, social welfare, housing, educational and childcare services for the community in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter, Upper Hunter and Manning areas. It represents the Catholic Church extending from Lake Macquarie to Taree and as far inland as Merriwa and Murrurundi. Bishop Michael Kennedy is the pastoral leader of approximately 150,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. The Diocese operates the Catholic Schools Office supporting 44 primary schools, 12 secondary schools, one K-12 school and one special school, educating more than 19,600 students in the region. CatholicCare provides support, assistance and education to all families and individuals, regardless of age, gender or religion through a range of child, youth and family services, foster care, counselling, homelessness, food security and refugee programs. St Nicholas’ Early Education operates more than 10 early education centres across the region as well as the Out of School Hours care in Catholic schools. The St Nicholas’ pathways program supports study and career options for early education. The parishes and agencies of the diocese are supported by the Chancery (Bishop's Office) and Shared Services team.