Author: Sarah Eustace

Our Vice Chair of Trustees Captain Esteban Pacha was invited to pen an article in the March 2019 Edition of Stella Maris’ Spain National Bulletin about our Centenary Year 2020. Here is a roughly translated version of the original article which was in Spanish.

Stella Maris will return to the parish of St. Aloysius one hundred years after the foundation on October 4, 1920 of the Catholic Port Ministry in Glasgow, which unified the mission begun in the early twentieth century by the Jesuit Joseph Egger in the port suburbs, from the estuary of the River Clyde, along with Arthur Gannon and the Benedictine monk, writer and artist Peter Anson who was the first secretary of Stella Maris (then known as Apostleship of the Sea).

Subsequently, the Holy See sent to the Archbishop of Glasgow Donald Mackintosh formal recognition of Stella Maris through Letter from Secretary of State Cardinal Gasparri, dated April 22, 1922, transmitting the approval of Pope Pius XI to the work of religious assistance to the people of the sea, encouraging them to extend that mission across the oceans and coasts of both hemispheres.

These words proved to be prophetic, and 99 years later, the global network of Stella Maris is present today in 334 ports in 59 countries, with more than 1,000 chaplains and volunteers who visit 70,000 ships a year, providing practical and pastoral assistance to more than one million mariners.

To commemorate our Centennial, share experiences and advance our mission, the 25th World Congress of Stella Maris will be held in Glasgow from September 25 to October 4, 2020, bringing together the bishops promoters, national directors, chaplains, volunteers, fostering also a greater collaboration with the industry and the maritime and fishing sector, and contact with our beneficiaries from all over the world, under the presidency of Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Integral Human Development Service of the Vatican.

Under the conditions of modern international maritime trade, Stella Maris develops a proactive mission through visits on board ships during their short stays in port, allowing an on-site assessment of the needs of their crews, supported in numerous ports by modern centers. host for seafarers, ground transportation services, and practical and pastoral assistance.

From my own professional experience at sea and in the maritime sector, and now also collaborating in the governance of Stella Maris GB, I have experienced first-hand the difference that our chaplains and volunteers in life make to seafarers, fishermen and their families; and how in cases of crisis, our teams can provide well-being, vital help and support to those most in need.

Stella Maris GB is present in 61 ports in the United Kingdom and has a staff of 20 chaplains and with the collaboration of numerous volunteers who in 2018 visited 10,048 ships providing assistance to 221,000 seafarers, both on board those ships and in the various port centers.

From its headquarters in London, the Stella Maris GB team also provides practical, emotional and pastoral care to seafarers in crisis situations through the international coordination of visits to ships or the sending of chaplains on board, receiving an average of 2 weekly requests for assistance from anywhere in the world, either directly from seafarers in need or through the industry (shippers, P & I clubs, port authorities, etc.) who rely on the assistance offered by Stella Maris. This is a vital aid for crew and passengers on board ships that are far from their homes, that feel distressed or that are helpless in cases of crisis, illness or isolation.

Recently, the Governing Board of Stella Maris GB has adopted an international strategy with the objective of facilitating improved infrastructure and supporting the services of the global network of Stella Maris as a global mission of the Church. This international strategy identifies various mechanisms for its implementation through the development of capacities and projects to support other national Stella Maris at a global level, and proposes different actions such as the establishment of an International Committee to improve the global governance of the Stella Maris mission under the guardianship of the Dicastery for the Integral Human Development Service of the Vatican on which Stella Maris depends.

The Life at Sea report published in January 2019 by Stela Maris GB, shows how having a ‘friend in port’ is still of vital importance to seafarers, even in our modern technological era, and illustrates real cases of hospitalisation, harassment, stress and mental health of sailors, assaults on ships and piracy, non-payment of salaries and abandonment of seafarers, denial of the right of access to land, unhealthy working conditions on board or situations of slavery, accidents and deaths on board ships. (Read the report at https://www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/life-sea-report)

Personal and individualised contact is unique and irreplaceable, and the mission of Stella Maris helps to alleviate loneliness and mental health problems in seafarers, contributing to the improvement of maritime safety and living conditions on board.

The Church of St. Aloysius in Glasgow hosts an image of the Virgin of Montserrat (popularly known as La Moreneta) donated in 2008. This image is located in the Altar of the Virgin of this parish that will receive the visit of the World Congress of the Apostolate of the Mar on the occasion of its Centennial on October 4, 2020.

Capt Esteban Pacha
Vice Chair of the Governing Body and Chair of the International Committee, Stella Maris GB

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The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most popular sacramentals desired by seafarers.
              Each day around the United Kingdom, chaplains and ship visitors from the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) – Stella Maris visit ships bringing practical, pastoral and spiritual care to seafarers. They also distributed rosaries to the crew on ships and at port.
              While many seafarers will go for months at a time without access to the Holy Mass or the sacraments, they greatly desire to have a piece of or at least a reminder of their Faith close to their hearts. The Holy Rosary is one such item that seafarers love to have with them.
              Helping in this venture to bring rosaries to seafarers are the Sisters of Mary the Morning Star (Grayshott Sisters) within the Diocese of Portsmouth.
              The sisters make beautiful rosaries of tropical wood which comes directly from the Philippines. 
              Any rosaries commissioned to be made by the Grayshott Sisters will be blessed by AoS Regional Port Chaplain for South Coast Ports Fr John Lavers and given to seafarers.
              If you would like to commission the Grayshott Sisters to make rosaries for the seafarers of the world, please contact them on 01428 289 481 or e-mail: [email protected]
              Mary, the Morning Star…Pray for us! Our Lady Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)…Pray for us!

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Ana Dobeson, photographer for the Diocese of Portsmouth, made her first visit to ships in the Port of Southampton recently accompanied by Fr John Lavers, Regional Port Chaplain for Stella Maris – AoS. 
              Ana wanted to go along and see what kind of work Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea does in relation to the spiritual, pastoral and practical care given to seafarers from around world.
              Here, in her own words, are Ana’s thoughts from her ship-visiting experience.

              ‘As we walked down from the last ship we visited, Fr John asked me what were my thoughts about what I've just experienced visiting the seafarers. At the time I could not put my thoughts into words, I went blank as I was trying to have this whole experience sink-in and understand it all. 
              Later-on, while returning home, I thought about all the years I've taken photos at the AoS Annual Stella Maris Mass at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Portsmouth….it really saddened me to realise how little I understood about it.
              I saw the volunteers, priests, and members of AoS, I took photos before, during and after the Mass, but not until now could I understand what it was all about.
              I suppose one needs to get near the situation to really understand it. We went onto three ships, belonging to two different companies. I have never before been in this kind of environment…. It was very different to what we see when boarding as a passenger on a ferry.

              You could see how these seafarers work in very, very hard conditions, in the cold and sometimes wet environment….how they can feel very lonely and isolated far from their own families, friends, homes and countries.
              These seafarers spend very long periods of time at sea.  One said his wife was expecting a baby in August and he knew he would not be there for the birth of his child.
              Some of these seafarers are not even allow to have a much-needed break, to have a few steps on firm land after a long time at sea. Some of them have water restrictions on their ship; some cannot even have contact with their families, as there is no communication (internet) on their ship.
              They have to live in small areas sharing accommodations and making the ship to feel like a home and family, I wonder if this really happens…however they must experience very tough times.
              But what really amazed me more, was their welcoming towards us, their smiles, their modesty, their hospitality offering us drinks… How grateful some of them were to Father John as he handed out chocolates, woolly hats, leaflets about Lent, AoS information, how they hold and looked at the Rosaries and prayer cards! 
              These seafarers deserve recognition and acknowledgement. These seafarers spend very long periods of time at sea. We take for granted the amazing work they do. We should be aware that every time we go shopping there are many seafarers on a long and maybe lonely journey to bring us food, cars, equipment, materials… etc so we can eat, dress, drive a car, build a house…. etc​.
              Pray for seafarers.’

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St. Ninian’s High School in Giffnock Scotland have thrown their full support behind Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) as we prepare to celebrate our centenary in 2020. 
              AoS was the grateful recipient of a £200 cheque from the East Renfrewshire school recently having worked closely with them in recent years. 
              Founded on the banks of the River Clyde in 1920, AoS will host the World Congress in Glasgow from 25 September to 04 October next year with excitement already building.
              Gerry Bradshaw, Head of Religious Education at St. Ninian’s, is a firm supporter of the charity which supports seafarers.
              Gerry said, “We are delighted to help Apostleship of the Sea. We realise the importance of seafarers to our everyday lives, and the fact that so many of them share our faith. It’s something we should all be proud of having been formed in Glasgow almost 100 years ago, and still going strong with an international dimension too. 
              “As a school, we are very charity-conscious. St. Ninian’s will keep offering their support in the approach to their special centenary next year.” 

              Euan McArthur, our Scottish Development Officer, received the cheque from S3 pupils whom he has spoken to about the work of AoS. 
              Moreover, St Ninian’s are busy planning a sponsored ‘keepie Uppie’ competition due to be held before the summer holidays. Pupils will be asked to show their skills with the winner receiving a signed-football to mark the occasion. 
              Euan said, “We are extremely grateful to St Ninian’s for their continued support and generosity. The school has shown a real interest in the work of AoS across a variety of age groups. We are looking forward to working with them more in the future as 2020 approaches.”
              To commemorate their Centennial and share the charity’s mission, plans are underway for the hosting of the 25th Apostleship of the Sea World Congress in Glasgow next year. This will see the bishops promoters, national directors, chaplains, volunteers all coming together, enhancing a greater collaboration with the industry and the maritime and fishing sector, and contact with beneficiaries from all over the world. 
              The global network of Apostleship of the Sea – Stella Maris – has a current presence in 339 ports in 59 countries, providing practical and pastoral assistance to over one million mariners.

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A coordinated approach between Church and relevant public and private agencies is needed to close the loopholes that allow forced labour to occur in the maritime and fisheries sectors. 
              “There is a need for a multi-stakeholder alliance involving all parties – the Church working in partnership with the relevant agencies – to close the gaps that exist,” says Mi Zhou, Manager of International Labour Organization South East Asia Fisheries Project. 
              Zhou said there are inherent problems in the recruitment and placement process of fishers in some countries which might lead to them being trafficked and enslaved. 
              She said a common practice in some parts of the world is where bad players in the industry categorise fishers as ‘partners’ or ‘family’ who get a “share of the catch” – thus making it easier to bypass regulatory standards on decent wages and treatment of fishers. 
              Another challenge was the jurisdictional complexities associated with international fishing; meaning bad players have the tendency to pass the buck when abuses are uncovered. 
              Zhou made these observations in a presentation on Human Trafficking in the Context of Slave Labour at the Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking organised by the Vatican’s Migrant and Refugees department in Rome from April 9 to 11. 
              The session was chaired by Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris) Great Britain National Director Martin Foley. AoS was represented at the Conference by several port chaplains and regional coordinatros from its global network.
              Foley said AoS is committed to fighting trafficking in the fishing industry and is actively involved in assisting fishers who are in danger of being exploited and abused by unscrupulous owners by providing spiritual and material assistance to the fishers and their families. 

From left: Zhou Mi, Martin Foley and Dr Jesicca Sparks
 
              Another speaker at the session, Jessica Sparks, Rights Lab Research Fellow in Antislavery and Ecosystems at Nottingham University conducted a preliminary study called Social Conflict on the Seas: Links between Overfishing-Induced Marine Fish Stock Declines and Forced Labor Slavery last year. 
              She said the study found that 46 percent of all countries with a coastline showed evidence of modern slavery in their marine capture fisheries sector. 
              However, Sparks said there are great examples where partnerships between port chaplains of the Apostleship of the Sea and organisations such as the International Transport Workers Federation in the United Kingdom have resulted in highlighting the problem of exploited fishers and offering vital care and support to victims. 
              Last November, the Vatican’s Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson said the Church cannot remain silent to labour and human rights abuses in the fishing industry. 
              In a message during a World Fisheries Day panel discussion, he said fishers are “crying out for help and, as Church, we cannot shut our ears and we cannot remain silent.” 
              In Great Britain and around the world, Apostleship of the Sea works with the Santa Marta Group to educate and inform its global network of AoS chaplains and volunteers, as well as port officials and police about the scourge of slavery at sea and what can be done to protect and support fishermen and seafarers. 

Flying the flag: AoS global delegates attending the Conference

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During the Octave of Easter, our Port Chaplains and ship visitors were busy bringing the news of the Joy of the Risen Christ to the seafarers on board ships in the Diocese of Portsmouth.
             This involves giving the seafarers various prayer cards and sacramentals as well as lots of chocolates. In picture one, Mary and Barry Hannant from Annunciation Netley Abbey are standing with AoS/Stella Maris ship visitor Paul Owen, as Paul is receiving the many chocolates donated by the parishioners as Easter gifts for seafarers.
             Also, special thanks to the parishioners of St Patrick's Church in Woolston (Southampton) for all their donated chocolates as collected by ship visitor Irene Chapman. In the other picture, the seafarers/crew of the 'Christos Theo' receiving, with great joy, their Easter chocolates when their ship was docked in the Port of Southampton this past week.


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When Patricia Ezra, East Anglia Port Chaplain with Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) went on board a ship in Ipswich this week she was warmly welcomed by one of its crew. 
              During a friendly chat, the seafarer mentioned that he was from Tunisia and the only Muslim crew member on his ship.
              His ship mates are Russian and Polish. But the seafarer – who speaks fluent Polish and 10 other languages – said he is never singled out because of his religion and there is mutual respect among the crew. 
              He was happy to receive Catholic prayer cards and other Catholic material handed out by Patricia. 
              The seafarer said the crew are a family on board and there is a real sense of community and inter-faith understanding.

              “During the Muslim month of Ramadan, some of my crew mates even join me in fasting from food and drink,” he said.
              Patricia says her ministry as an AoS (Stella Maris) port chaplain is to offer pastoral support and pray for seafarers, whatever their religion may be. 
              “When I go on board the ships I’m there to show that someone cares for them, someone remembers the good work seafarers do for us, to find out how they are and how they’re getting on. It’s showing God’s love to them,” she said. 
              As Easter approaches, Patricia and her team of ship visitors in East Anglia will distribute palm crosses, spiritual reading material and chocolates to seafarers on ships. 
              Sea Sunday which falls on July 14 this year is a day when parishioners in the Diocese are asked to pray for seafarers and for those who work to support seafarers.
              A collection is also held that day for the work of Apostleship of the Sea.
              Watch a short video of Patricia here. Photos of Patricia on our Flickr site here. 

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Catholic charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) extended a hand of friendship and support to seafarers from Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday bombings in the country. 
              On North Tees, in Hexham & Newcastle Diocese, AoS Port Chaplain Deacon Peter Barrigan and Ship Visitors Hugh and Mary Ward held a service on board the tanker B Gas Maud on the night of April 24. 
              On board were two Sri Lankan seafarers, whose communities back home had been affected by the bombings.
              Although they are Buddhist, one of the men and his wife regularly went to St Anthony’s Church in Colombo, well-known as a place of worship open to all religions. 
              “The seafarer’s wife was due to go to the church on Easter Sunday but decided, at the last minute, not to do so that day,” said Deacon Peter. 

              Deacon Peter and Hugh and Mary also supported six Filipino crew members from the same ship who had asked for prayers after two earthquakes struck the region earlier this week. 
              Buildings, including churches were destroyed by the earthquake and many people are injured and missing. 
              “We spoke and prayed with the crew who had been at sea when the attacks occurred. Readings and prayers both Christian and Buddhist were read out. The men were upset about what had happened and anxious to contact their loved ones back home. We brought along a book of Buddhist Psalms which they read from. This gave them great comfort,” Deacon Peter said. 
              “It was an anxious time for the seafarers on board but in the midst of the stress and worry, we were able to provide some comfort to them from our visit and the service on board,” he added.

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Stella Maris (AoS) Easter Cruise Chaplain Fr Peter Geldard was on board the cruise ship Britannia before during Easter.
              On his last day, he was preparing to disembark at the Port of Southampton, but before leaving the vessel, Fr Peter had one more opportunity to gather with members of the crew who were very sad to see him go after his time with them.
              Crew members are pictured with Fr Peter holding gifts of our Easter chocolates as well as the May Edition of the Stella Maris Magazine.
              Stella Maris AoS Southampton Senior port chaplain Fr John Lavers also went on board to meet the crew and welcome Fr Peter back on land.
              And what a beautiful shrine they have on board.

More photos on our Facebook Page here  

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Below is a press release from the Port of Milford Haven.

The Port of Milford Haven is continuing its support for the Apostleship of the Sea this year with financial backing to help the organisation provide support for seafarers visiting Pembrokeshire.
             The Apostleship of the Sea provides practical and pastoral care to all seafarers, regardless of nationality, belief or race.
             The Port Chaplains and Volunteer Ship Visitors welcome seafarers and offer welfare services and advice, as well as practical help, care and friendship. It is part of an international network known to the maritime world as Stella Maris, and works in more than 300 ports around the world. 
             In 2018, the Port Chaplains and Volunteers at the Apostleship of the Sea carried out 697 ship visits within the Port of Milford Haven, reaching around 15,000 seafarers. They also provided transport for crews of 359 vessels from their jetty to town and the main port offices. 

             Father Paul Osunyikanmi, Apostleship of the Sea Chaplain for the Port of Milford Haven and Pembroke Port, commented: “The Port of Milford Haven’s support over the years has helped us deliver a reliable service to visiting seafarers. Seafarers can sometimes be over looked and undervalued so their welfare, especially whilst away from home for so long, is very important. We are grateful that the Port recognises this importance, and is supportive of our efforts.” 
             Anna Malloy, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager at the Port of Milford Haven, added: “Wellbeing is an important element of safety, and safety is at the heart of everything we do at the Port.  That is why we value the work of the Apostleship of the Sea and other organisations seeking to enhance seafarers’ welfare.  As the UK’s largest energy port, we welcome seafarers from all over the globe who travel on some of the world’s largest ships to bring in vital energy supplies. Many of these men and women have limited access to communication and transport once off the ship. The Apostleship of the Sea offers a comprehensive service that deploys Port Chaplains and Ship Visitors to focus on the needs that are greatest for seafarers visiting the Port.”

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