Helping the Sydney community with relationships, parenting, ageing, disability, pastoral services and mental wellbeing.
Margaret’s journey of service is nothing short of remarkable. Over more than 30 years, she has been a steadfast presence in the lives of inmates as a prison chaplain. Margaret is CatholicCare Sydney’s longest-serving chaplain and a deeply respected figure within the Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre. Her presence, companionship, and unwavering care have made her an invaluable asset to the chaplaincy program.
For Margaret, serving as a chaplain is not just a ‘job’, she has won the hearts of staff and inmates, all inmates know Margaret on a first-name basis, as she stands with them in solidarity and makes them feel loved. She is incredibly respected and valued by the Governor - a testament to this, is the installation of the prison chapel at the centre of Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre, the chapel (which is the heart of the prison) is where Margaret is. The Governor strategically placed the chapel in the centre of the prison, sighting Maragaret as integral to the prison’s services. Anything Margaret needs, the governor provides for her, further demonstration of the immense respect and admiration Margaret deserves.
Margaret’s ministry is filled with countless stories of compassion and life-changing impact. In one instance, she supported an inmate who had just discovered she was pregnant and was struggling with the decision to continue the pregnancy. Margaret’s guidance and emotional support led the inmate to choose to carry the pregnancy to term, a decision she later described as life-changing. Years later, this former inmate expressed her gratitude, sharing that her child had become the light of her life.
For nearly two decades, Margaret has also led a prison ministry through her Epping-Carlingford parish. Under her leadership, a dedicated team of parishioners regularly visits the maximum-security facility, offering communion services and sharing moments of connection over morning tea. “I had to come into prison to be able to say that. We all make mistakes, some more than others.” Margaret shared. 
Her contributions to chaplaincy extend to developing robust pastoral programs that foster spiritual growth and emotional healing. These include regular chapel liturgies, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), meditation and retreat programs, and Seasons for Growth and Healing workshops. Margaret has also facilitated connections with external spiritual networks and supported inmates through crises, including sponsoring family visitations and welfare support for pregnant inmates.
Margaret’s influence reaches beyond the local community. She has chaired and participated in national and international forums for prison chaplaincy, including the inaugural National Catholic Prison Chaplains Conference in 2009 and the International Catholic Commission of Prison Pastoral Care in 2011. Her leadership and advocacy continue to provide support and solidarity to other prison chaplains working in this challenging ministry.
Margaret believes that true ministry is about standing in solidarity with the broken-hearted and the marginalised.
“To people who hate prisoners, I would say to them, come and see.”
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Margaret Wiseman for this well-deserved recognition and thank her for being an inspiring example of what it means to live a life of service and faith.
CatholicCare Sydney offers numerous opportunities for you to reach out and get involved with your community. Visit the link below to learn more, or call and chat to one of our friendly team members on 13 18 19.
