The Catholic Parish of St Agnes Port Macquarie - St Peters Primary School is a nonprofit organisation located in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. It serves as both a Catholic parish and an educational institution, reflecting a strong commitment to faith-based education and community service.

History and Community Role

St Agnes' Catholic Parish was established in 1878 with the building of the first St Agnes' Catholic Church. Since its inception, the parish has played a vital role in guiding, caring for, and nurturing the local community. Over the years, it has grown into a diverse and vibrant faith community representing all age groups and many cultures and backgrounds. The parish supports a Catholic population of approximately 13,000 people in the region.

The parish's mission is oriented towards spiritual growth and community support, underpinned by the vision that “Everything is oriented towards the praise and glory of God.” It provides a wide range of services encompassing ministry, education, childcare, aged care, family support, disability services, employment, and training programs[1][4].

Parish and Educational Activities

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish holds regular masses, including a special service every Sunday evening at 5:00 pm designed specifically for families and youth. The parish is open and welcoming to newcomers, fostering a loving and respectful faith community spirit.

The education arm of the organisation includes St Peters Primary School among other affiliated Catholic schools such as St Joseph’s Primary, St Agnes’ Primary, MacKillop College, St Joseph’s Regional College, and Newman Senior Technical College. These institutions form a comprehensive educational network supported by parish services like St Joseph's Family Services, which include early education centres and childcare facilities.

St Peters Primary School, specifically, is part of this parish school family and operates under the guiding principles of Catholic education—regarding each child as sacred and every staff member as a guardian of the children's well-being and development[4].

Cultural and Spiritual Acknowledgements

The Catholic Parish of St Agnes recognises the Birpai people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which it resides. It acknowledges their enduring connection to the land, waters, and skies and pays respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. The parish is committed to respectful partnership and ongoing learning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples[2].

Governance and Identity

The organisation operates as a registered nonprofit with the Australian Business Number (ABN) 43517765626RR0001. Its governance aligns with Catholic Church principles and Australian nonprofit regulations, ensuring accountability and service quality in its spiritual, educational, and community endeavors.

The Catholic Parish of St Agnes Port Macquarie - St Peters Primary School represents a longstanding tradition of faith, education, and community service, deeply embedded in the social fabric of Port Macquarie and dedicated to fostering spiritual and educational growth for all ages[1][2][4].

[1] https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Community-support/MyCommunity/St-Agnes39-Catholic-Parish [2] https://stagnesparish.org.au/our-history/ [3] https://www.sutori.com/en/story/priests-clergy-and-religious-who-have-served-st-agnes-catholic-parish-port--gnpLnvPRmqJ4ERokVPE4Ty3p [4] https://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/our-parish [5] https://www.saintagnescatholicchurch.com/?page_id=2508