From: father patrick slaney …
Sent: Wed, 7 July, 2010 0:08:04
Subject: "Sea Sunday" July 11, 2010
My dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ:
The Second Sunday of July each year is designated by the Christian Church as "Sea Sunday"
The Patron of Ministry at Sea is Our Lady of
whose Feast we celebrate on Friday, July 16th.
Sea Sunday, July 11th and Invocation to Our Lady of
I invite you to pray for all those who work and make a living from the Sea.
Please pray also for those who minister to those who work on the seas.
I include below
some important information
about Sea Sunday, July 11th in the Life of Seafarers.
SEA SUNDAY
Loneliness, danger and separation from loved ones are just some of the problems seafarers face.
Around the world, night and day, The Apostleship of the Sea, a branch of the Roman Catholic Church,
provides help and support to those in need.
As a Christian agency, Apostleship of the Sea operates in more than 230 ports
caring for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths.
Sea Sunday, July 11th is a day set aside in the Church’s calendar
to remember seafarers and to pray for them, their families and those that serve them.
It began in 1975 when the three Christian maritime missionary societies
– The
the Apostleship of the Sea (Roman Catholic) and
the Sailors’ Society (Free Church)
decided there should be a day
in which the contributions of seafarers to the country were recognised.
Sea Sunday has gone on to become an international day with services, parades and ship blessings.
Sea Sunday A Message from the Pontifical Council, Roman Catholic Church, 2010 |
In many countries the second Sunday of July is traditionally set aside as Sea Sunday.
On this occasion
we would like to express our gratitude to seafarers and fishers
for their unique contribution to our society.
We remember also the chaplains and volunteers
that with their constant presence in the ports
provide pastoral care and welfare assistance
to everyone without distinction of nationality or religion.
Sea Sunday is considered also an important celebration
with which we would like to raise the awareness and support of the local Church
and the society
towards the ministry done by the Apostleship of the Sea.
We pray also for the Pontifical Council of the Roman Catholic Church which co-ordinates ministry within the maritime world.
Below please find a little additional information about "Apostleship of the Sea"
God Bless you,
as we make this prayer together
on
Sea Sunday, July 11th
and
on The Feast of Our Lady of
Sincerely in the Lord
Father Patrick
Apostleship of the Sea
The Apostleship of the Sea is the apostolic work of the Catholic Church offering hospitality and pastoral care to the People of the Sea. In almost every country bound by sea there exists a community of people who care for seafarers, fishers and their families regardless of their country or culture.
Caring for Seafarers & Fishers
Beloved, you are faithful in all that you do for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to help them in a way worthy of God as they continue their journey. (3 Jn 1:5-6)
Stella Maris Seafarers' Centres
Arriving in port seafarers and fishers often find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings, foreign language, foreign currency, and a different culture. What is familiar is the seafarers' centre. A seafarer can come to a port knowing that there is a place where he will be welcomed and cared for.
~ a home away from home
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