The Parish has 9,434 Catholics and an infrastructure that delivers services to the community covering the full spectrum of life. Thirty-six entities, employing approximately 520 staff and another 200 volunteers, provide services in ministry, education, childcare, aged care, family support, disability, employment and training. Its Care of the Aged program which began with the purchase of a small nursing home twenty years ago today cares for more than 550 frail and aged men and women in two retirement villages, five hostels, a 115 bed nursing home and sixty community aged care packages.

One of the latest Parish initiatives to prove a great success has been the purchase of the old RSL building now re-named Bourne House after Mary Bourne, the first catechist who came to Port Macquarie in 1871. Bourne House is an important landmark in downtown Port housing the Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC) which is run in conjunction with the Parish and has grown to a membership of 960 in under twelve months. The PCYC provides young people with a friendly and positive environment where they can try new experiences, develop skills, meet people, get advice, or just "hang out" as an alternative to getting into trouble on the streets. Centacare, the Church's official welfare agency, has a branch in the Parish to oversee services to single mothers, the disabled, and people in need of psychiatric rehabilitation.

Education too plays a major role in Parish activity with two pre-schools, three primary schools, one high school with two junior and two senior campuses. With 1,200 pre-schoolers, 2,500 primary and secondary students and a waiting list for each coming year, the Parish boasts an envious record of quality education.

Parish structures actively involve representatives of the Parish Finance Committee and the Parish Pastoral Council enabling the faithful to exercise their right and duty to participate in, and share responsibility for, the life and mission of the Church.

"A common vision, teamwork and communication are essential ingredients in building effective organisations" says Fr Leo Donnelly, Parish Priest who has presided over and nurtured the phenomenal growth of St Agnes' for the past thirty-five years.

St Agnes' Presbytery

Hay Street, (Po Box 23)
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Telephone: 02 6583 1024
Fax: 02 6583 1339

Parish Priest: Fr Leo Donnelly
Assistant: Fr Michael Alcock

The Parish Office is the co-ordinating centre for all pastoral activities within the parish. General enquiries regarding the parish should be directed to the Parish Office such as requests for baptisms, weddings, Communion to the sick and infirm.