Stella Maris

Stella Maris Cares for Seafarers Far from Home
This weekend we celebrate Sea Sunday, and Stella Maris (the largest ship-visiting network in the world) has an aim to improve the lives
of seafarers and fishers through our network of local chaplains and seafarer centres, expert information, advocacy, and spiritual support.
Today the Gospel reminds us about the love and care that the Good Samaritan showed to the stranger that he found upon the road.
For seafarers and fishers, Stella Maris is that Good Samaritan.
Robert King, Stella Maris Regional Port Chaplain, recalled when a fisher fled his boat after allegedly being abused by the captain, and ended up stranded at Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow. Robert was informed of his plight and went to find him. “I quickly identified the fisher, who was from Ghana, sitting on a bench looking scared and lost. He had no money and was so grateful to see a friendly face. By now it was after 6 pm and a storm was raging. Stella Maris paid for a hotel room for the fisher to spend the night. He was glad to be away from the bus station and in the comfort of the hotel. I made sure he had a phone charger so he could keep in touch with his family and myself, and I gave him some money for essentials. Because of the storm, he had to spend a second night in the hotel. Acting on advice from the International Transport Workers Federation, I persuaded the fisher to return to Campbeltown, where his boat was anchored, to report the alleged abuse by the captain to the local police station, which he did.” A resolution was reached, and the fisher has now started working on a different vessel in Scotland. “He was very grateful for the assistance that I gave him,” said Robert. These simple acts of kindness by Stella Maris port chaplains and ship visitors mean so much to seafarers who are far from home and feeling isolated. Let us also on this Sea Sunday pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris. More stories can be read from the Archdiocese’s website:
www.rcadc.org/a-good-samaritan-at-sea-how-stella-maris-cares-for-seafarers-far-fromhome/
There is a Second Collection for Stella Maris this weekend






