Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions.
Also, when seafarers and fishers arrive in a port, they are strangers in a foreign land. They do not know the locals and often don’t know who to turn to when they need help.
Port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors from Stella Maris (the Catholic Church’s maritime agency formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) are there for them. They are concerned for the welfare of seafarers and fishers.
This year’s Gospel for Sea Sunday 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. Sea Sunday this year is on Sunday 13th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea, and for the ministry of Stella Maris.
Please join in Sea Sunday in our parish this year and pray for seafarers, fishers and their families. If you are able, please give generously to the second collection this weekend.
If you have the gift and talent of knitting, then please join the wonderful ladies (so far only ladies have knitted) who have shared their gift by knitting woolly hats, mittens and balaclavas for seafarers.
When you knit a woolly hat or mittens for a seafarer or fisher, you do more than just keep them warm. You remind them of your love and care.
Grateful thanks go to the Mamma Margherita Fellowship members:
Alma McSharry, Gaynor Cainey, Monique Parker, Sharon Boylett, Mary Burgess and Pat McCrum who have knitted and knitted. To date we have been able to send twenty seven beautifully knitted hats to Stella Maris!
Please email me on seniors@olsd.org.uk if you would like a pattern.
