At the service of the Bishop, in support of the people of the diocese, The Faith & Mission Vicariate exists for the dynamic growth and renewal of the Church through Partnerships and Parishes.
The Vicariate for Faith & Mission is an umbrella service of different areas of faith and Mission development in the diocese.
We facilitate growth and renewal through:
The Faith & Mission Vicariate 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 Vicariate for Faith & 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.
This Diocesan Year aims to celebrate the Eucharist at the heart of the life and mission of the Church and to gather people back to the Mass and the Sacraments. We are to grow as a Diocese in our love and appreciation of the Eucharist.
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.
How to contact the Vicariate for Faith & Mission:
Email: adminfaith.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.
Vicariate contacts
| Episcopal Vicar | Mgr Andrew Faley |
| Vicariate Co-ordinator | Amy Cameron |
| Vicariate Senior Administrator | Mark Hindmarsh |
| Vicariate Administration Team | Amy McDonagh and Emma Wynne |
Vicariate leads
| Accompaniment: Bereavement Listening Service (Emmaus) | Chris Smith (Co-ordinator) |
| Accompaniment: Healing | Fr Kevin Dixon |
| Accompaniment: Marriage Care | Deacon Rob Wareing |
| Deepening Our Faith: Adult Formation | Fr Sean Hall |
| Deepening Our Faith: Catechesis | Deacon Martin Bell |
| Deepening Our Faith: Formation Pathways | TBC |
| Deepening Our Faith: Spiritual Direction/Accompaniment | Sr Sheila McNamara |
| Dialogue & Unity: Bishop’s Representative | Fr Marc Lyden-Smith |
| Dialogue & Unity: Ecumenism | Fr Marc Lyden-Smith |
| Dialogue & Unity: Interreligious Relations | Fr Mariadass Pagyasamy |
| Family & Sacraments: Marriage | Deacon Rob Wareing |
| Family & Sacraments: Family Life | TBC |
| Family & Sacraments: Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Holy Communion & Confirmation) | Deacon Martin Bell |
| Liturgy: Diocesan Church Music Association | Alison McLean (Co-ordinator) |
| Liturgy: Lay Liturgical Ministry and Prayer | Fr Adrian Dixon Angela Joyce (Co-ordinator) |
| Liturgy: Reflection Writing Team | Frederique Gill (Co-ordinator) |
| Liturgy: The Association of the Eucharist | Moira Potts (Co-ordinator) |
| New to the Faith (RCIA) | Fr Adrian Dixon Angela Joyce (Co-ordinator) |
| Sharing the Faith: Charismatic Renewal (CHARIS) | Fr Shaun O’Neill John Wheeler (Co-ordinator) |
| Sharing the Faith: Evangelisation | Canon Michael Griffiths |
| Sharing the Faith: Evangelisation, Sycamore | Mike Weetman (Co-ordinator) |
