COVID-19: HOW WE ARE SUPPORTING SEAFARERS

Sarah Eustace 09 June 2020

Stella Maris chaplains continue to provide support to seafarers, fishers and their families during the Covid-19 crisis, working in close partnership with Stella Maris colleagues around the world, the maritime industry, trades unions and others.

This includes undertaking port visits in order to provide welfare packages and other support to seafarers and fishers, with the permission of port authorities and in full compliance with Government directives. We also continue to support seafarers, fishers and their families via telephone social media.

Please continue to pray for seafarers, fishers, their families and the mission of Stella Maris.


How we are supporting Seafarers in the UK

Stella Maris Clyde port chaplain Deacon Joe O'Donnell takes some supplies to fishermen in Ayrshire

Our Clyde port chaplain Deacon Joe O'Donnell recently took food supplies to some foreign fishermen who work in the Ayrshire Coast as things were getting tight for them.

Posted by Apostleship of the Sea on Friday, 22 May 2020
Our Clyde port chaplain Deacon Joe O’Donnell recently took food supplies to some foreign fishermen who work in the Ayrshire Coast as things were getting tight for them.  While down there he met a couple of fishermen who told him they were desperate for a bike. Joe says, “It’s wonderful how the Holy Spirit works as I had my spare bike in the car which I gifted them. I will continue to support these guys in the coming weeks.”
Stella Maris East Anglia Port Chaplain Julian Wong reminds us of the sacrifices seafarers continue to make amid Covid-19

Most seafarers are used to being away from family and friends for months at a time and being confined to their ship and to the port area. It's all part of life at sea and the job they do, as our East Anglia port chaplain Julian Wong reminds us in this video. But now many have to spend weeks in quarantine when they get to the end of their contracts and return home, adding to the wait to see their loved ones. Thank you for continuing to keep seafarers in prayer.

Posted by Apostleship of the Sea on Monday, 25 May 2020
Most seafarers are used to being away from family and friends for months at a time and being confined to their ship and to the port area. It’s all part of life at sea and the job they do, as our East Anglia port chaplain Julian Wong reminds us in this video. But now many have to spend weeks in quarantine when they get to the end of their contracts and return home, adding to the wait to see their loved ones
Stella Maris supporters in Southampton, Myra and her husband Deacon Andy Philpott offer a message of hope to seafarers. It is addressed in English and Filipino to seafarers who may be experiencing distress and to encourage anyone in need of help to contact one of our port chaplains.

Here’s a look at how our some of our Stella Maris colleagues globally are supporting seafarers and fishers in spite of the restrictions placed on ship visiting and the fast-moving situation of the Covid-19 virus.

Monsignor Vincent Harvey, parish priest of St Joseph’s and St Edmund’s Southampton celebrates Mass for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time with special intentions and blessings for Roman RIP, ship’s doctor, for his family, crew of his ship and for Stella Maris.

Posted by Apostleship of the Sea Australia on Tuesday, 5 May 2020
A lovely Mass celebrated by Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris) Australia Bishop Promoter especially for chaplains, centre managers, ship visitors, committee members and volunteers – in essence the carers who care for seafarers.
Filipino seafarers in lockdown in our Stella Maris Seafarers Centres in Manila during Covid show their appreciation and gratitude to Caritas Manila and Caritas International for providing much-needed food supplies etc. Thank you for your amazing generosity!

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