Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth

The Diocese of Portsmouth covers Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Isles and parts of Berkshire, Dorset and Oxfordshire

Pastoral Formation


Department for Pastoral Formation

The Department for Pastoral Formation contributes to the implementation of Go Out and Bear Fruit’, our diocesan Pastoral Plan, through the provision of expertise, encouragement, support and formation in the areas of adult formation, catechesis, collaborative ministry, liturgy and music, marriage and family life, stewardship and youth ministry. Each of the Advisors in the Department aims to work collaboratively, with clergy and lay people, individuals and groups, within parishes and pastoral areas. We seek to strengthen the support offered to Pastoral Areas and parishes through networking those working in similar areas, identifying people with particular talents and empowering them through appropriate formation, contact, support and sharing of resources.

Monika Chmelova

Advisor for Catechesis and Adult Formation: Monika Chmelova
Main responsibilities:

  • To promote all forms of catechesis (sacramental and non-sacramental) across the diocese
  • To provide formation and resources to further the development and growth of catechesis, adult formation and Liturgy of the Word with Children at parish and Pastoral Area level, acting as a point of contact and support for catechists and leaders
  • To encourage appropriate people to take on coordination roles in catechesis and adult formation in parishes and Pastoral Areas

Contact: mchmelova @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Tel: 01329 830946

Advisor for Marriage and Family Life: Katja Babei
Main respKatja Babeionsibilities:

  • To develop the ‘Celebrating Family’ projects of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: ‘Everybody’s Welcome’, ‘Home is a Holy Place’ and ‘Passing on the Faith’
  • To provide coordinated diocesan support for marriage preparation and enrichment, bereavement groups, family spirituality, parenting programmes, mental health, ministry of welcome

Contact: kbabei @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Tel: 01329 830930

Teresa Keogh

Advisor for Stewardship and Collaborative Ministry: Teresa Keogh
Main responsibilities:

  • To be an enthusiastic ambassador for the implementation of Stewardship throughout the Diocese , building on the experience of those who have piloted the process
  • To promote stewardship as a means of implementing ‘Go Out and Bear Fruit’
  • To provide formation and resources to enable the development and growth of Pastoral Councils at parish and Pastoral Area level, acting as a point of contact and support for these Councils

Contact: tkeogh @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Tel: 01329 830949

Dave Hill

Advisor for Youth Ministry: Dave Hill
Main responsibilities:

  • To develop an approach and process for the inclusion of young people in the life of the Church today by sharing their time, talents and treasure with each other, the parish family, the Church in the Diocese as well as the wider community, in order that they may “Go Out and Bear Fruit”
  • Support for, and resourcing of, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation
  • Initial and ongoing support and training of those involved in ministry with young people
  • Developing area groups for those working with young people for prayer, sharing of ideas and resources, networking and support

Contact: dhill @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Tel: 01329 830947

Paul Inwood

Director of Liturgy: Paul Inwood
Main responsibilities:

  • Involvement in the preparation for all major diocesan liturgies
  • Support for, and resourcing of, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation
  • To work with cantors, choirs, organists, music groups, and direct the Diocesan Choir
  • To provide information about liturgical law, Canon Law as it affects the liturgy, the liturgical calendar, church layout, copyright issues, etc
  • To provide parish liturgy audits
  • Is the Diocesan Organ Advisor

Contact: pinwood @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Tel: 01329 830945

Nicky Stevens

Head of Department: Nicky Stevens
Main responsibilities:

  • To have a strategic overview of, and coordinate, the work of the Department
  • To provide formation and resources in the areas of adult formation, catechesis, collaborative ministry, pastoral councils, RCIA and stewardship

Contact: nstevens @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Tel: 01329 830944



Ana Dobeson

Webmaster: Ana Dobeson
Main responsibilities:

  • To act as Webmaster for the Diocesan Website, ensuring that it is used to further progress towards achievement of the Pastoral Plan and reflect the life and work of the Diocese
  • To manage the design and maintenance of the diocesan website, ensuring accuracy of information

Contact: webmaster @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Eileen Stephenson Trisha Vassallo

Administrators: Eileen Stephenson & Trisha Vassallo
Joint responsibilities:

  • Provide an administrative and secretarial service to Advisors
  • Ensure the efficient running of courses arranged by the Department

Eileen Stephenson:

  • Diocesan Pastoral Council, Trustees Communications Committee, Cover for Personnel Administrator, Finances

Contact: estephenson @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Trisha Trisha Vassallo:

  • IT support to Department, Rite of Election

Contact: tvassallo @ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Tel: 01329 835583 - Fax: 01329 833452