At the service of the Bishop, in support of the people of the Diocese, The Formation & Mission Department exists for the dynamic growth and renewal of the Church through Partnerships and Parishes.
The Department for Formation & Mission is an umbrella service of different areas of faith and Mission development in the Diocese.
We facilitate growth and renewal through:
The Formation & Mission Department exists to help people deepen their faith and to discern their Mission, offering discernment programmes for this.
We take seriously the vision of Church from Pope Francis that we all need to formed in the ‘art of accompaniment’. We are here to walk alongside and journey with those who are seeking to get close to Christ and to live a faith-filled life.
The Church is filled with the baptised who have been chosen by God to serve. Many of our parishes are enriched by the ministry of these faithful people.
As a principle the Department for Formation & Mission wants to support and enhance the ministry carried out locally.
One of the ways to develop local ministry is by networking those involved in certain fields. Here there is an opportunity to share good practice and resources. Through mutual listening there is also the opportunity to build up confidence and to design training and resources where people feel there are gaps.
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
This section is for those seeking spiritual support with illness, bereavement, or issues in their marriage.
In this section you will discover the rich opportunities on offer in the diocese to go deeper in your faith.
This section explores how the Diocese works ecumenically with other Christian churches to instil unity and promote peaceful harmony between our brothers and sisters of all faiths through the interreligious relations.
The Vicariate for Caritas brings together many groups and individuals within the diocese to reach out the hand of friendship, to walk with one another in mutual support.
In this section, you will find information about the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation – which lay the foundation of every Christian Life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n 1212).
In this section you will find details of courses that are offered for the training of lay people who help and serve in the celebration of the Liturgy. There are also some resources for prayers that might be used for various needs and occasions.
In this section you can find out more about becoming a Catholic, and journeying in faith through our introductory courses and events.
In this section of the website, you will find tools and resources to help you gain confidence in knowing when and how you can share your faith with others.
“For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”
In this section you can find out how to get involved and to join the journey we are inviting you to pray. To spend this time discerning what it is the Holy Spirit is saying in your life.
In this section you can discover more about youth ministry and our invitation of love to show Christ is a person who loves immensely and who asks for our love in return.
In this section you can find all our Formation & Mission Leaflets, available to download collectively, or individually by topic.
How to contact the Department for Formation & Mission:
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316 (office*) or 07375 934713 (mobile)
*Your call may be automatically diverted to the mobile number.
Admin office hours:
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, excluding Bank Holidays.
Department contacts
Formation and Mission Development:
Director Formation and Mission Development: Amy Cameron
Email: amy.cameron@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Formation and Mission Development Team Leader: Mark Hindmarsh
Email: mark.hindmarsh@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Formation and Mission Development Officer: Emma Wynne
Email: emma.wynne@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Department Administration Services:
(also providing support for the Vicariate for Caritas and the Ongoing Clergy Formation team)
Administrator: Amy McDonagh
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Department leads
Adult Formation
Co-ordinator(s): Fr Sean Hall
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Association of the Eucharist
Co-ordinator(s): Marileine Ollerenshaw (Volunteer), Moira Potts (Volunteer)
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Catechesis and Family
Co-ordinator(s): Deacon Martin Bell
Email: catechesis@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 07702 952152
Catechesis: New to the Faith (RCIA)
Co-ordinator(s): Fr Adrian Dixon, Deacon Martin Bell
Email: journeyinfaith@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 07702 952152
Charismatic Renewal (CHARIS/CDSC)
Co-ordinator(s): Fr Shaun O’Neill, John Wheeler (Volunteer)
Email: charis@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Dialogue & Unity
Ecumenical Co-ordinator(s): Fr Anthony Currer
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Interreligious Relations Co-ordinator(s): Fr A Mariadass Pagyasamy, Carol Cassidy (Volunteer)
Email: interreligious.relations@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Diocesan Church Music Association (DCMA)
Co-ordinator(s): Alison McLean (Volunteer)
Email: dcma@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Emmaus Bereavement Listening Service
Co-ordinator(s): Chris Smith (Volunteer)
Email: bereavement@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 07732 980740
Healing Ministry
Co-ordinator(s): Fr Kevin Dixon
Email: healing@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Liturgy / Lay Liturgical Ministry and Prayer
Co-ordinator(s): Fr Adrian Dixon, Angela Joyce (Volunteer)
Email: liturgy.formation@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Marriage Preparation / Marriage Care
Co-ordinator(s): Deacon Rob Wareing
Email: marriage@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Spiritual Direction / Accompaniment
Co-ordinator(s): Sr Sheila McNamara
Email: spiritual.direction@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Sycamore
Co-ordinator(s): Mike Weetman (Volunteer)
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
Tel: 0191 243 3316
Writing (Liturgy)
Co-ordinator(s): Awaiting Appointment
Email: formation.mission@diocesehn.org.uk
