Author: Sarah Eustace

Ukrainian and Russian seafarers arriving at King George Dock on May 8th were all smiles when they received a warm welcome in their own languages. 
              They were full of delight as they were greeted by Fr. Oleksandr Smerechynskyy and Rostyslav Inzhestoikov from Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) in the Ukraine, who were in Hull for a working visit. 
              The pair joined AoS Hull port chaplain Anne McLaren on her daily ship visits at the Dock, visiting three ships – the Pinta, Kelly C and Seeland. 

Photo: Maria Brosnan

              They also spent time with seafarers at the Seafarers Centre, whose operation was taken over by AoS last September.
              “It was great to have Oleks – AoS Odessa port chaplain – and Rosty – AoS Odessa seafarers centre manager – with me today. Their presence helped break the ice instantly,” said Anne. 
              Anne added, “Life can sometimes be lonely and tough for seafarers as they are cut off from family for often long periods of time. This is why AoS ensures they get a warm welcome and support with anything they need to make their short stay in port as comfortable as possible,” said Anne. “I might need to brush up on my Ukrainian and Russian now!” she joked. 

Photo: Maria Brosnan

              In the first quarter of this year, Anne and her team visited 117 ships in the Port of Hull, the biggest softwood timber importer in the UK. There are 40,000 shipping movements on the Humber each year. 

* Do have a look at many lovely pictures from the visit. You can find them on our Flickr site.

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The visit of the m/v Glorieuse to Teesport was not intended to be a long one. However, during a period of particularly inclement weather, the ship’s cargo of grain could not be discharged, and this meant that the crew were to benefit from an extended stay in port. 
              The Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) Chaplaincy team ensured they were well looked-after, providing free transport to town and other attractions. 
              Requests for Mass to be celebrated on board were also made, so AoS Port Chaplain Deacon Peter Barrigan approached Canon Derek Turnham, Parish Priest at St Augustine’s and Sacred Heart in Redcar who, despite the short notice readily agreed to visit the ship. 
              Deacon Peter was supported at the Mass by AoS volunteers Hugh and Mary Ward, Tony Livingston, and Ann Marie Ward who played the guitar. 
              In his Homily, Canon Derek reminded all present of the importance of discipline in their daily prayer life, and afterwards blessed faith items which were then given to the seafarers. 

              Separately, Mass was also said for the crew of the m/v Swiftness, a general cargo ship with a crew of nineteen Filipinos and two Vietnamese.
              The crew were keen to attend Mass before leaving for Singapore on a 42-day voyage. 
              Fr John Lumley celebrated Mass on board and offered prayers for the crew and their families back home.
              He also blessed various religious items. AoS ship visitors Hugh and Mary Ward brought along a statue of Santa Nino which had been presented to them on a recent private visit to the Philippines. They also distributed Rosary beads from Rome. 
              Much to the crew’s delight, Deacon Peter presented them a tapestry of the Sacred Heart, donated by Peter’s own Parish Priest, Fr Sean Neylan who wished it to ‘go to a good home’ following the recent death of his mother to whom it had belonged. 

              One of the hymns at Mass was ‘Hail Queen of Heaven’. Fr John doubted the crew would know this, stating “if they know this hymn, I’ll eat my hat”. 
              However, the hymn was known to the crew who sang it heartily and in great voice. Fr John then commented, “pleased I didn’t bring my hat!”
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“Jesus frequently went out on the waters with his disciples. I look forward to following Him in service to the seafarers who sail the high seas today”. 
             This was one of several comments by seminarians from the Archdiocese of Vancouver who visited Canada’s largest sea port as part of their pastoral experience to learn about the Catholic Church’s maritime ministry. 
             The six senior seminarians were taken on a port visit in Roberts Bank in Delta in two separate groups in late February in which they discovered first-hand the lives of seafarers who work on board ships carrying goods to and from ports around the world. 
             They went on board two ships – Essen Express, a container vessel and Navios Magellan, a bulk carrier carrying coal. 

             The visit was arranged by Apostleship of the Sea Vancouver Port Chaplain Deacon Dileep Athaide who proposed the idea to Archdiocese Vocations Director Fr. Rodney Nootebos. 
             Deacon Athaide visits ships that arrive in Vancouver port and boards them to offer spiritual and practical support to seafarers. This includes blessing the crew and giving prayer books and rosaries to Catholic seafarers.
             “The seminarians were thrilled with their “field-trip” (as they called it) and were astonished by the size of the cargo vessels. They learnt much about the life and concerns of seafarers from their short conversations with them,” said Deacon Athaide. 
             “We were given extensive tours of the bridge and engine rooms, galleys and messes, and even treated to a hearty lunch on board.” 
             He added, “The men really appreciated the hospitality shown them on their tour of the ships and the interaction with the seafarers”. 

             "A few told me that they look forward to the possibility of serving as priest-Chaplains someday.” 
             Deacon Athaide said, “Seafarers often work in the periphery of society and not many people know about what they do, so port chaplaincy is a powerful example of the Church reaching out to those on the margins.”

* Click here to see more photos.

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Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has appointed Mr Nicholas Barends (Nicky) as its new National Director for South Africa. 
              He was commissioned during a Mass at the Cape Town Seafarers Centre chapel on May 5th.
              Mass was celebrated by AoS Cape Town Port Chaplain Fr Gerardo Garcia. 
              Nicky has worked as a professional printer and has been a ship visitor with AoS Cape Town for more than 10 years. 
              He takes the helm at a time when AoS South Africa is expanding to meet the spiritual and practical needs of seafarers arriving at its ports. 

              Apart from ensuring the smooth running of AoS in the country, his duties will also entail coordinating AoS centres within the Southern African region to a central point.
              “I am honoured to be appointed and look forward to this challenge to help care for the seafarers that arrive at the port from different parts of the world,” Nicky said. 
              In a letter addressed to Fr Gerardo Garcia, Archbishop of Cape Town Stephen Brislin confirmed Nicky’s appointment as National Director of AoS South Africa.
              “I am certain that Mr Barends with his longstanding association with AoS and his passion to assist the vulnerable, will enable AoS to further develop and promote this Ministry as it continues to provide pastoral support for the seafarers,” Bishop Brislin wrote.
              “I also thank you for your commitment to Apostleship of the Sea and for the service you render as Port Chaplain of Cape Town,” he added. 

              Seafarers who were present at the commissioning Mass were blessed by Fr Gerardo. They were from Vietnam, Namibia and Kenya.
              Also present were AoS volunteers Keith Arrow, Jannie Van Neel, Anthony Erispe, Gerard Assam and Astrid Castenfelt and two retired South African fishermen who are AoS members.
              AoS South Africa currently has port chaplains in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Richards Bay, who offer spiritual, practical support and a listening ear to seafarers arriving at these ports.

*Visit our South Africa website here.

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Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) were welcomed back to St Mary’s Primary School, Greenock, who showed their enthusiasm by embarking on some more fundraising efforts for the charity. 
             Pupils at the Inverclyde school have been learning within their Development Groups how particular organisations help those within the local community, having first invited AoS to be part of their initiative over a year ago. 
             Earlier in the day, the pupils had attended Mass in St Mary’s church along with teacher Mr Grant McDonald and were joined by passengers from a cruise ship which was berthed in the town that day.
             Thanks to a post-Easter raffle, AoS received a cheque for £125 which AoS Scotland Development Officer, Euan McArthur, collected on the day. 
             Mr McDonald said, “We want to help Apostleship of the Sea as much as we can. The pupils have been busy finding out as much as they can about the charity and we’ll learn even more with a School Assembly after the summer holidays.
             "When they saw the big cruise ship here it made them think of the sea, and particularly for the crew who work so hard.”  
             Euan said, “We would like to thank St Mary’s for their generosity and look forward to going back in the new academic year.”

Euan with pupils of St Mary's Greenock.

             Separately, we have also benefitted from the generosity of St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock. Euan collected a cheque for £300 from the East Renfrewhsire school recently.
             As the school strengthens its relationship with AoS, Euan was presented with the donation from pupils. They have been keenly engaging with the charity since the start of the current academic year.
             Pupils from various year groups have been addressed over the past few months and further plans to fundraise are already underway. 
             Head of RE, Gerry Bradshaw, said, “It’s great to have AoS here in St Ninnian’s. We fully realise the important of this charity which was founded in Glasgow. 
             “It’s wonderful to know AoS' World Congress is coming here in 2020.” 
             Euan said, “We would like to take this opportunity to record our thanks. St Ninian’s High School have been so generous and we very much appreciate their support.”

Euan with pupils of St Ninian's, Giffnock.

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The Port of Tilbury was the unlikely meeting place between the Holy See and people of the sea during a visit by Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, the Pope’s ambassador to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, 29 May. 
              The 73-year-old American Archbishop spent time at the London Tilbury Seafarers Centre, then went on board two ships – Federal Lyra, a bulk carrier, and Gerda, a tanker – to meet crew members. 
              He spoke with the seafarers about their work and lives at sea and gave them a blessing from the Pope. 
              Archbishop Adams’ visit was organised by Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) whose port chaplain Wojciech Holub provides practical and pastoral support to seafarers arriving at Tilbury Port. 
              The Papal ambassador expressed his admiration for seafarers, saying "theirs is a life of sacrifice". He described them as "not only seafarers but craftsmen as well." 

              The crew of the ships, all Filipinos, were very happy when they found out who the Nuncio was and were delighted to receive the Pope’s blessing.
              One of the crew members also asked for a blessing for his pregnant wife. Sadly he will miss the birth of his child because by the time his contract on board ends, the child would have been born. 
              We love the statue of Our Lady on the bridge of Federal Lyra. The crew call her ‘Mama Mary’ and they say she guides and protects them while they are at sea.
              The Port of Tilbury is a major gateway to London and the South East and handles cargoes from cars to grain and household goods – all of which are transported on ships crewed by seafarers.
             
 * More photos can be seen here. All photos copyright Marcin Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

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A group of Kenyan seafarers stuck in Cape Town Port for almost a year are being supported by Apostleship of the Sea team at the port. 
            The men are crew of the tug boat Comarco Falcon, hired in May last year to deliver a barge from Mombasa Port to Port Elizabeth en route to Nigeria. 
            After making the delivery the crew tried to sail onwards to Nigeria but extremely high waves forced them to turn back to Port Elizabeth. 
            They waited for the weather to clear and eventually reached Cape Town Port at the end of May 2017.
            "Sadly, one year on, the seafarers are still in port as the deal with the new tug owner failed to materialise, and their boat is now in dry dock for repairs,” said AoS South Africa National Director Nicholas Barends. 
            “The crew comprise three Catholics and four Muslims. They’re coping well despite their current situation, and the dangerous voyage they’ve been through, which left them fearing for their lives,” he added. 
            Since then, Nicholas and AoS Cape Town ship visitors Anthony Erispe and Gerard Assam have been visiting the seafarers regularly.
            The Catholic seafarers have also been attending Saturday evening Mass – either walking or taking a minibus to the Chapel at the seafarers’ centre. 
            On Saturday May 19, Nicholas treated the seafarers and another Vietnamese seafarer from a different ship to a barbecue and drinks at his home. 
            “They are extremely appreciative of the support and care given them and said that the kindness shown them will always be remembered,” said Nicholas.

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Rev Roger Stone BEM, Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) Senior Regional Port Chaplain (Wales and the West Country), was presented the British Empire Medal Award on Monday, May 14, by Nigel Atkinson Esq, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire at Serle’s House, Winchester. 
              “I was humbled and honoured to receive the British Empire Medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire.  It was a very special day for me and also for Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) in the UK, around the world and also for the wonderful seafarers we are privileged to serve,” said Roger. 
              He added, “It is a particular delight to have received so many messages from seafarers who participate in the joy of the occasion.  Building relationships with seafarers lies at the core of my ministry.” 
              Roger attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on June 5 with his wife Susan. 
              AoS National Director Martin Foley said, “This award is richly deserved. Roger is a first-class chaplain, always willing to go the extra mile to support seafarers, fishermen and their families. I am delighted that his ministry has been recognised in this manner. 
              “Roger would be the first to acknowledge that his work would not be possible without the support of his AoS colleagues. The award of the BEM also provides me with a welcome opportunity to thank them for their selfless dedication to serving seafarers and fishermen,” he added.

Roger with Martin

Also see: Roger Stone awarded British Empire Medal

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Parishioners, priests and supporters of Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) from the dioceses of Hexham & Newcastle and Middlesbrough congregated in Holy Island, Lindisfarne on June 2 to pray for seafarers and the work of AoS. 
              Numbering more than 200, the pilgrims gathered opposite St Cuthbert’s Island, with the now traditional ‘Celtic Prayer on the Beach’, directed by former Navy chaplain and AoS former trustee Monsignor Ronnie Brown. 
              This mix of music, readings and prayer is extremely popular and sets the tone for a peaceful and reflective day. 
              Now in its 15th year, the Day of Prayer was led by AoS Bishop Promoter Bishop Paul Mason, who was born in North Shields. 

Monsignor Ronnie led the Celtic Prayer on the Beach

              AoS volunteers and supporters from the North East region and port chaplains Chaplain Paul Atkinson and Deacon Peter Barrigan were joined by head office staff and AoS Senior Regional Port Chaplain (North East) Anne McLaren. 
              The day ended with Mass of Corpus Christi in St Mary’s Anglican Church, concelebrated by Bishop Paul, Mgr Ronnie Brown, Fr Michael Griffiths, Fr Shaun Purdy, Fr David Phillips and Fr Austin Monaghan. 
              In his homily, Bishop Paul talked about maintaining a sense of awe and wonder at Our Lord’s miracles and to avoid the temptation to explain them away or dumb them down to accommodate the sceptical modern mind.
              He spoke of the prophetic nature of the miracle which would have recalled for the crowd the manna they received in the desert when God previously fed them in their desperation. 
              Bishop Paul also spoke about the scraps we must bring to the Lord for Him to work with; how He can transform and multiply the little we offer in faith. 

              In what has also now become something of a tradition, Scottish piper Andy played 'Amazing Grace' and 'Skye Boat Song', guiding the procession before and after Mass. 
              AoS Tyne ship visitor Terry Patchett who has retired after more than 13 years of serving seafarers was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. 
              The day marked a special day of prayer and fellowship, a good build up to Sea Sunday which falls on the weekend of July 7 and 8, when parishes in the dioceses and around Great Britain pray for and remember seafarers for all they do. 

* There are lots more photos which you can see here.

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Seafarers on board a ship detained at the Port of Mobile, Alabama, since March 2016, are being supported by Apostleship of the Sea (AoS). 
              The Trans Gulf, a roro cargo ship, has been prevented from sailing after it was found with deficiencies. Its current crew were also owed $35,000 in wages. 
              In December 2017 AoS Mobile Port Chaplain Deacon John Archer received a call from a concerned person about the crew on board the ship so went to see how he could assist. 
              As food supplies were running low, he arranged for emergency deliveries from Catholic Social Services until money for food provisions was provided. 
              After speaking with the Mexican crew, Deacon John discovered that they were only receiving a small part of their full wages. 
              Over the course of the next few months he visited the crew weekly, providing pastoral and practical support to the seafarers.

Deacon John with some crew members during Christmas

              Deacon John said, “We provided bibles and spiritual reading materials, transportation to Mass at The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and also to Our Saviour Church, for Mass in Spanish. 
              He added, “We also took them to a ‘Posada’ with the Hispanic community during Christmas and to a Mardi Gras parade. Our transportation services have allowed the crew to shop for provisions, and send money home when they received some payment from the ship owner. All this helped lift their spirits so they did not feel like they are in prison on the ship.” 
              The vessel remains in Mobile, and a new crew is in place to look after it. An engineer hired to correct electrical problems on board was not paid and after several weeks returned home.
              “AoS has watched over this crew for many months and will continue until all crew members leave port or are safely home,” said Deacon John. 
              “While some payments have been made the crew still await payment of their full wages. Currently there remains three cadets on board looking after the ship. We will continue to work with our partners in the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) to ensure the seafarers’ interests are represented,” he said.

Crew members attend Mass at St Saviour Church

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