Chaplaincies 

in the

Diocese of Lancaster  

Universities, Schools and Colleges

Chaplaincy endeavours to be at the heart of University, College and Secondary School life providing a faith focus for the community life of students and staff and offering pastoral care and support. Catholic Chaplaincy has an inclusive mission and welcomes all students from many faith traditions and none as well as helping Catholics in their own spiritual and faith development.    

All University and College Chaplaincy teams will be committed to providing friendship and hospitality to all. The aim is for greater involvement of all students in making a lasting contribution to the growth and development of community life at University, College and Secondary School and helping students and staff to grow in the life of faith. 

Diocesan Director of Secondary School Chaplains:

The Rev M Docherty, The Priory, Banklands, WORKINGTON, Cumbria, CA14 3EP, Tel: 01900  602114  

Email: revmichaeldocherty@me.com

The Association of Catholic Chaplains in Education is a chaplaincy service for the Catholic Education Service. It was formally launched in 1993 to provide support for chaplains involved in schools and Sixth Form Colleges by the organisation of annual meetings and professional development and training weeks. 

National Co-ordinator  

Mrs Maggie Cascioli
57 Upper Fant Rd
Maidstone
Kent
ME16 8BU
Tel: 01622750504 

Hospitals    

Hospital chaplains offer a friendly face, a listening ear, a chance to talk through thoughts and concerns, prayer and Sacraments. Priest Chaplains and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion visit hospital wards during the week and provide "on call" service in case of emergency. It is very important that on admission to hospital you make sure that you tell the staff that you are a Roman Catholic, that they register this information on your patient records, and that you tell them you would like to be visited by a Roman Catholic Chaplain. In case of emergency, please inform nursing staff that you would like to see a Roman Catholic Priest, and they will "page" whichever priest is on duty. Catholic chaplains work collaboratively with both Christian and other Faith colleagues.  

Bishop's Healthcare Adviser:

The Rev Philip Smith, St Clare's Presbytery, Sharoe Green Lane North, Fulwood, Preston Lancs, PR2 9HH 

Tel: 01772 719604   

Email: frsmith@saintclares.co.uk

Prisons        

Prison Chaplaincy is a response to the Gospel call, 'I was in prison and you visited me.'  Every prison has a Catholic chaplain who provides Sacramental and pastoral care for both residents and staff.  Chaplains work for the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of those in their care.  Increasingly chaplains seek to provide links with outside communities so that people leaving prison will find support and encouragement.  Chaplains seek to invite people to share in their ministry by training volunteers to become Prison Visitors.  Again, Catholic chaplains work collaboratively with both Christian and other Faith colleagues.    

National Principal RC Chaplain: Rev Mgr Malachy Keegan
Chaplaincy Headquarters
National Offender Management Service
Room 410, Abell House, 
John Islip Street,
London
SW1P 4LH

Tel: 020 7217 8714 

Email:  malachy.keegan3@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk                     

Polish Catholics

The Polish Chaplaincy is a pastoral ministry of the diocese which includes first generation migrants, EU accession workers, temporary residents, visiting students and tourists. The chaplaincy's aim at preserving the religio-cultural customs, traditions and values of migrants while at the same time preparing them for full integration into the local Church. The Polish Chaplaincy provide pastoral care across the Diocese including formation programmes and administration of the sacraments in the polish language.   

Syro Malabar Rite Catholics

The Diocese of Lancaster includes people from all countries and nationalities and everyone is welcome to participate in their local parish. However, in addition, the Syro-Malabar chaplaincy in the Diocese seeks to provide sacramental and pastoral support for people of the Syro-Malabar Rite (mainly from Kerala) to help preserve and nourish their valuable cultural expressions of faith and community.            

The Apostleship of the Sea 

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) in England and Wales is part of an international network of AOS agencies working in 89 countries to support the people of the sea.