Author: Sarah Eustace

Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) Hartlepool ship visitor Brenda Bland responded to an urgent request from the crew of a fishing boat who needed warm winter clothing. 
              The 10 men, eight of whom were overseas workers from North Africa, were employed on the boat in late January, and were based at the fishing quay in Victoria Dock. 
              They had oilskins on them but were otherwise poorly-equipped for fishing in the North Sea in winter, and desperately needed jumpers, gloves and other warm clothing. 
              The Dock’s manager was able to get word out to Brenda, who quickly set about getting these essential items for the crew. The clothes were received with heartfelt thanks and gratitude by the men. 
              Brenda said, “We’re only too happy to help. That’s what AoS is here for – to respond to the immediate needs of seafarers and fishermen – in both practical and pastoral ways.”

Brenda seen here with AoS Teesport Chaplain Deacon Peter Barrigan.
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Our Aberdeen Port Chaplain Deacon Doug Duncan was recently reunited with the Indian crew members of the Malaviya Seven whom he supported for more than a year.
             The seafarers were left stranded at the port in 2016. They returned home to India last March. 
             A couple of weeks ago Doug took up the crew's offer to visit them and went on a personal trip to India where he met the men and their families.
             You can read a story about Doug's visit in Aberdeen Press & Journal here. 



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When John Pinhay, Falmouth Port Chaplain for Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) visited the ship Heba M in January, he was greeted by a very sorry sight. 
              Heavy seas had dislodged the ship’s cargo of timber, and the deck was in disarray. 
              John met the crew and they told him about the frightening time they experienced; when in high seas the ship suddenly became unbalanced. 
              Fortunately, the vessel was passing near to Falmouth, so the port became a safe refuge, both for the ship and the crew of nine Syrians, an Indian and a Turkish national. 
              The Heba M remained in Falmouth for three weeks while work was carried out to get things back in order. 
              During this time, the crew had to remain on board the ship and were not allowed outside the port area due to immigration restrictions, so John and Apostleship of the Sea ship visitor Simon Bromage visited the men, spending several hours with them over the period. 

              “During our visits the men spoke about their work, lives and families in Syria. They expressed sadness and anxiety about the war in their homeland,” John said.
              “We could imagine the loneliness and frustration the crew were experiencing,” he added. 
              John and Simon also brought the seafarers woolly hats, maritime papers and chocolates, all of which were gratefully received. 
              “When we turned up and sat with them sharing stories we knew they appreciated our visits,” John said. 
              For the crew of the Heba M, Falmouth Port turned out to be a safe refuge in more ways than one.

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Pupils from Oakwood School, an independent school in Purley, recently had an assembly with a difference – they were taken on a voyage of discovery over the oceans. 
              The children were all ears as they listened to a talk by London-based seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) who introduced them to the world of ships and seafarers, who bring us up to 95% of the goods we use or consume. 
              “There are some 100,000 ships at sea crewed by more than 1.5 million seafarers – men and women who work at sea, away from their homes and families for months at a time,” said AoS Development Director John Green. 
              “We rely on them to bring us so many essential things – from food and clothes to fuel – yet little is known about their lives,” he said. 

              The pupils also learnt how AoS, through its network of port chaplains and ship visitors worldwide, supports seafarers, providing them friendship and pastoral care as well as practical things like WiFi connection and telephone cards so they can contact their families back home. 
              John said, “The pupils were really engaged and asked many questions. Huge thanks to head teacher Ciro Candia and the other teachers for their warm welcome.” 
              AoS has produced resources for schools here.

Albert Napier, Apostleship of the Sea Seychelles Port Chaplain stepped in to assist after a fight broke out involving crew of a fishing vessel in Seychelles. 
             The incident occurred in October, but the story has only come to light. Four Filipino fishermen whose work contracts had expired were desperate to return home to their families. 
             However, the Captain of the Chinese trawler refused to let them go and pay for flight tickets to the Philippines. The men were also owed wages. 
             A heated argument on board escalated, resulting in the Filipino fishermen being attacked. They were able to call for help, and were rescued by the Seychelles Coast Guard, Marine Police and Seychelles Port Authority. 
             The Port Authority contacted AoS Port Victoria Chaplain Albert Napier who was asked to mediate. 

             Albert said, “A meeting took place in the Port Authority office involving the Captain, a Filipino crew member, the fishing vessel’s agent, Marine Police and other parties. 
             “A resolution was reached whereby the Captain contacted the shipping company’s head office in Singapore who agreed to pay the crew and send them home. AoS escorted the four men to the airport to board their flight on the very same day,” Albert said, adding that the good team work between the various agencies and AoS resulted in a positive outcome for the exploited crew.
             The incident highlights the value and importance of shipping industry stakeholders working closely with Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea to ensure seafarers and fishing crew get the right support and help when they need it the most, as outlined in AoS’ recently-published Life At Sea Report.

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This is an article written by Fr Thomas Grufferty. It It was first published in The Pastoral Review March-April 2019 and is reproduced with permission from The Tablet Publishing Company Ltd. www.thepastoralreview.org

             For the last two years the Apostleship of the Sea has asked me to be the Catholic Chaplain on P&O Cruise ships during the Christmas period. The first cruise was around the North Sea which was no joke in the middle of a very dark winter.
             The cruise included a port visit to wonderful cities such as Copenhagen, Oslo and Amsterdam, but we saw little of these places because it is virtually dark until 10:00 am, and dusk comes in again about 15:30. Because of this experience, I resolved never to do another cruise, mainly because it prolonged the dark days of winter for me.
             My resolution was firm until the Apostleship of the Sea offered me the chaplaincy on the Britannia in the Caribbean for Christmas 2018. How could any human turn down such an offer? Not only was the location most attractive but the voyage was for two weeks, covering Christmas and Epiphany. 
             Equally importantly, I was much better prepared pastorally for the role of Chaplain this time. The guidelines from the Apostleship of the Sea are very clear. The chaplain’s priority is to the Catholic crew members.

Fr Tom Grufferty           
             
             Most of the crew are devout Catholics from Southern India and the Philippines. It is clear from the start that these lovely people demonstrate a different spirituality from western Catholics. 
             They love to touch and kiss the priest’s hand as they bow their heads. It is a gesture which calls for a personal blessing and they often do it in public, with no embarrassment. If the priest gives a personal blessing, he receives the most radiant smile in return, which is also a blessing.
             Mass for these people is crucially important because they are on board ship for anything up to nine months, they are rarely able to participate in the Eucharist. As a Church we really need to find other ways for people to receive Holy Communion other than at the celebration of Mass itself.
             I would suggest that twice a year the Chaplain consecrates enough hosts to provide the crew with Holy Communion at a Eucharistic Service every Sunday. We would have to make many mental adjustments liturgically and would also need to train spiritual leaders on board ship.
             Given the spiritual strength of many crew members the potential for on-going formation is enormous. Many of these people are already powerful missionaries of the Faith to a wide cross section of the passengers. A great number of guests on both cruises remarked on the charm of those who clean the cabins and serve them at table. There is always a warm smile, which I suspect is required by the cruise company but never the less the charm is genuine and powerful. 
              The other lovely discovery that I made was of the importance of the Prayer Room in the crew quarters. This is a place of prayer and reflection and it is used by many members of the crew, not just the Catholics, though it is created and maintained by the Catholics on board.
              There are many Catholic images displayed in the Prayer Room. Catholic memorabilia, such as rosaries, miraculous medals and holy pictures, are greatly appreciated.
              The Apostleship of the Sea provides the Chaplain with many of these items and some of them find their way to family members miles from the ship. As soon as these items appear, they are scooped up and treasured like gold dust.
              The blessing of Holy Water during the Chaplain’s final Mass on board ship is also a special occasion, as many people bless themselves several times each day. The wider repercussions of being a Chaplain are profoundly significant, for example, Midnight Mass on board ship is a big attraction and is greatly appreciated by everyone on board.

 An AoS file pic of Mass on a cruise ship.  
             
              This year we had Midnight Mass in the ship’s main theatre. Immediately before Mass there was a concert, which meant that the stage had to be transformed in a short time. Transformed it was, with wonderful Christmas images all over the theatre. 
              The theatre became a Church very quickly. The crew arranged everything, which included Christmas Carols in abundance. I was very keen that just as many of the crew serve us food at table, so they should serve us spiritual food at the table of the Lord. The spiritual connections were not lost on anyone who attended this special Mass, as it was the most frequently mentioned reaction, in the comments after Mass. 
              The other great spiritual gathering was the Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas Day itself. Anyone on board who had a true sense of Christmas would attend this. On this Cruise, the Captain and I conducted this service, with crew members doing the readings. 
              There is also an interdenominational religious service on those Sundays when the ship is at sea. These are conducted by the Captain or senior officers. Life on board ship is a real experience, and you see the entire spectrum of the human life displayed before you.
              An elderly couple are sitting across from me in the best restaurant on the Britannia. They have just ordered their first course, with the best Rioja to drink. They lovingly toast each other, then suddenly in walks a much younger man who is the spitting image of the man at the table. Clearly the younger man is seriously disabled, with physical and mental problems.
              The couple continue with their meal, with their son the centre of their attention, as if everything is normal, which of course for them it is. The lesson for me was clearly that nothing ever seems as you expect, and sometimes Jesus himself walks into a situation to turn all appearances upside down. 
              Another significant encounter happened when I went to the room where we were allocated to have Mass each evening at 18:00 for the passengers. In the room was a group of people, and it was obvious that they were Jews, praying as a preparation for the Sabbath. They were wonderfully welcoming. We had a fascinating discussion about what they were doing and what we were about to do.
              The breaking of bread and the drinking of wine were both at the heart of the two ceremonies. The Jews left the room and we followed the instructions of Jesus. When you leave the cruise ship, you leave with the impression that the entire experience is somehow unreal, and yet for thousands of people this is their world and their lives.

             
              As the Church in the British Isles we should take great pride that the Apostleship of the Sea does so much to look after seafarers, not just on the luxury liners, but on all ships across the oceans. This is particularly true since the charity prepares to celebrate its centenary next year, in 2020.
              Here is a very brief history of this unique charity with some of the excellent things it provides.  
             
              The Apostleship of the Sea. 
              The origins of AoS had several independent beginnings. The first recorded events come from Wimbledon College where volunteers began sending devotional books and magazines to seafarers on 12 ships.
              They also enrolled seafarers into a prayer association so that they would pray for them and the seafarers could pray for each other. In 1891 the Society of St. Vincent de Paul began visiting people on ships in Bristol, Sunderland and Tyneside. It was not until 1920 that the Apostleship of the Sea had its formal foundation in Glasgow.
              The greatest need in those days was in providing temporary accommodation for seafarers while they were in port. In those days ships spent days in port, so, AoS provided hostels where seafarers could stay. Hundreds of volunteers from local parishes were extremely generous with time and funds in providing for these hostels. 
              With globalisation, the drive for greater profit margins and technological advances it soon became clear that time in port was dramatically reduced. Today’s seafarer is no longer days in port but just a few hours. However, the basic human needs of those at sea have not gone away.
              As with all good organisations AoS has recalibrated its charity work to provide drop in centres in the docks and close to where the ships berth. Their centres provide e-mail and telephone terminals where the seafarer can contact family and loved ones.
              A very large number of those at sea are married with wives and young children in Kerala and the Philippines. Verbal and visual contact is essential as they may not see their families for anything up to twelve months. I know from experience that following days at sea there is a great blessing to set your feet on solid ground.
             That is where we humans belong however enthusiastic we might be to travel, there is no place like home. If those who visit our shores receive a warm welcome with a smile, we have blessed them. We often forget that 95% of those who work on ships are from poor countries.
             They send all their wages home to provide for their loved ones. Speaking with the crew of the Cruise Ships education has a high priority for it enables people to break free of the poverty trap. They are deeply indebted to the West for the opportunity to work as we should be indebted to them. 

A file photo of an AoS chaplains with crew members in Port Elizabeth
           
             AoS in the Parish/School
             If you want to highlight this charity in your parish, especially on Sea Sunday, (every 2nd Sunday of July) so this year it is 14th July, there is a Parish resource on the web page. https://www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/resources-parishes If you want a guest speaker contact the Parish Coordinator: Roland Hayes 020 7901 1931 or email: [email protected]
             There are interesting school resources designed around the national curriculum enabling pupils to learn about shipping including the life of seafarers. https://www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/resources-schools 
             The charity has grown, developed and flourished beyond the imagination of its founders 99 years ago. It is now a global network that supports all those at sea regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender. This care is vital as many of the crew can be away from home and family for anything up to twelve months.
             When I asked the Crew of the Britannia, what was their greatest need, again and again the word “loneliness” was on everyone’s lips. There are port chaplains in many of our busiest ports, like Tilbury, Southampton, Felixstowe and Aberdeen, but where is no port Chaplain, there is an army of lay volunteers in smaller ports. In certain parts of the world Apostleship of the Sea is also known as “Stella Maris” – Our Lady Star of the Sea.
             This is a beautiful title because it is an ancient title for Our Lady. Just as seafarers depend on the stars so many of them guided and loved by The Star “Stella Maris”. Those at sea are modern day heroes upon whom the prosperity of most of us depend.
             Without them world trade would cease, and the shelves of our supermarkets would be empty. If you just consider the items you had for breakfast this morning: tea, coffee, fruit and the wheat in your bread arrived on these shores ship. If you drive to work most parts of your car, the petrol and the oil came here by ship.
             I live on the edge of the Solent and daily I see oil tankers sail up the Solent to the Fawley Oil Refinery. The Refinery moves 270,000 barrels of oil every day and provides only 1/3 of fuel for the UK. Each tanker with real people on board has enough fuel for every car in the UK for six hours.
             These facts prove that the pastoral and spiritual care provided by Stella Maris are on the increase. The Apostleship of the Sea and its cousins have a great bright if challenging future. Lest we forget there are very strong ecumenical relations between all the charities that work for seafarers across these islands. 
             The parish of the High Seas is very different from the parish of “terra firma” and the maritime family is constantly in motion. The command of the Lord to “launch out into the deep” is forever real for a very large number of our fellow human beings. The prayer for those who go down to the sea in ships is authentic and beautiful. 
             
             Thanksgiving for seafarers  
             Almighty God, we give thanks for all those who work at sea. We acknowledge our need for the food and raw materials they transport. We recognise that they are sometimes in danger and their long absences often involve sacrifices in their family life. Help us to show our gratitude not only in our words, but also in our actions. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
             Our Lady Star of the Sea, Pray for us.

On Ash Wednesday, our port chaplains went on board ships to distribute and impose ash to seafarers who wanted it. On some ships Mass was held on board too. Here are some photos from the various ports.

Milford Haven and Pembroke Docks
Ash Wednesday Mass and imposition of ashes to seafarers by our Pembroke Port Chaplain Fr Paul Osunyikanmi on board a ship in Pembroke Dock. Fr Paul celebrated Mass for the crew. You can listen to a recording by Fr Paul on board. Click here to listen.
 

Photos by Marcin Mazur © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Tilbury
Our Port Chaplain Wojciech Holub arranged for Fr Jeba Marshall to go on board.
 

Hull
Distribution of Ashes and Mass was celebrated on board the P&O ferry Pride of Rotterdam in Hull by Fr John Wood for some of the crew. Anne McLaren, our Senior Regional Port Chaplain (Northeast England & Humber) and her team of volunteers joined the crew on board.


 

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Apostleship of the Sea were most humble recipients following the passing of a long-serving Scottish seafarer. 
              The funeral of Denis Sullivan took place recently in Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, Dunfermline, where Fr Kevin Dow conducted the service. 
              Afterwards, there was a retiral collection in the Fife coastal parish from which the proceeds were shared between AoS and St Vincent De Paul, with the seafaring charity receiving a very generous cheque for £300. 
              Denis’ surviving wife, Jenny, is pictured with Deacon Joe O’Donnell, Senior Regional Port Chaplain for Scotland, at Grangemouth Seafaring Centre where container ships arrive on a regular basis. 
              Joe said, “We’re so grateful to Denis’ family for their kindness. He was a seafarer for such a long time and obviously recognised the work of Apostleship of the Sea.”
              * Details about leaving a Legacy to Aos can be found here.

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Our National Director Martin Foley was today invited to speak about Stella Maris (AoS) work in over 60 countries and 316 ports worldwide with diplomats at the Workshop on Seafarer Welfare Embassy Consular Conference held at the International Maritime Organization head office in London on 20th March.
              Also present at the Workshop was Stella Maris Vice Chair of Trustees Captain Esteban Pacha. In his presentation Martin spoke about how AoS provides a global support network for seafarers and a welcome in foreign ports to seafarers.
              AoS port chaplains and ship visitors visit vessels in over 300 ports so seafarers feel valued and supported and our cruise chaplains provide a unique ministry to crew members of cruise ships. 
              AoS offers a listening ear to seafarers, someone outside the management structure that seafarers can confide in. And how our ministry is a source of comfort and solace to all those affected by an emergency or incident. 
              Martin welcomed the collaboration Stella Maris already receives from Embassy Consular Staff and invited delegates to deepen their partnership with Stella Maris to support seafarers and fishermen around the world.
              During conversations, Capt Pacha also took the opportunity to share first-hand experiences that Stella Maris port chaplains and ship visitors make every day to seafarers, fishers and their families, and how the global Stella Maris network provide vital help and support to those in need.

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On the evening of Sunday March 17, our Immingham Port Chaplain Steve Willows led prayer for a group of crew at Immingham Seafarers Centre.
              After this the ship's captain asked if Steve could go on board to do a service the next day for all the crew. So Steve and Bryony Watson, our Immingham Port Chaplain and ship visitor Tony went on board.
              They brought along a crucifix, holy water and a Tagalog bible to leave with the ship as well.
              Steve says it was a really blessed experience to lead a service of word and communion for the crew with 17 of them coming for the service and everyone really appreciated the time to come together and spend time in prayer.

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