Morning Star
April-June 2008: Come, Follow Me!

Messages and Updates:
God's Hand at Work in the Maritime Ministry

Messages from:

• Fr. Andrew Thavarajasingam, Chaplain, Port of Montréal, Québec
  
  From the beginning of creation God is being faithful to his covenant and to the people of God. But on the contrary on the part of the people of God there is always a wanting in faithfulness to God. Due to this lack of faithfulness on the part of the people called by God whether collectively or individually God has to constantly remind, renew or enter into a new covenant to give a chance to be more faithful.
  
  All through out the history of salvation the faithful God demands or expects faithfulness from the people. God who is faithful expects from us a positive faithful response, gives us a chance of repentance to be faithful even if we fail.
  
  The fathers of Faith and the saints who have led a life of faithful response to God have already set up an example to all of us, to assert that though the human nature is to falter, to be faithful to God is not an impossible task. Last week I attended the funeral service of Rev. Fr.Tomas McEntee in Montreal, who was a Canadian Marin responded faithfully to the call of God to serve him as a Priest for the last fifty-four years. He was also a Patron member of Mariner's House. His closest Priest friend remarked that his method of being faithful to God was unique. Though he led an exemplary life he always said, 'I am trying to be faithful to God.'
  
  During this quarter Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev.Dr.Thomas Savundaranayagam visited our seafarer's center to encourage our services. His effort of visiting all his Priests under his care even in his old age demanded from me a particular concern towards all the seafarers who come under my pastoral care in the port of Montreal and to pay attention to my ship visits. I would like to conclude with a remarkable experience of mine during this quarter. The Captain of the Ship 'Federal Shimanto' gave me a warm welcome in the ship and requested to say mass on board the ship. After the mass I thanked him for the active participation and asked him where is he from in the Philippines? He said I am a Muslim from Bangladesh. If a Muslim could be so concerned about the spiritual need of the Catholic seafarers how much more we should be?
• Fr. John Eason, Port Chaplain, Vancouver, British Columbia
  
  Here is my update: With below seasonal weather (around 13 degrees and plenty of rain), the harbour runs on slow mode. On the whole the harbour is quiet. I continue to make the rounds, doing 4 vessels per day as I search for our Catholic sailors, giving them spiritual bouquets.
  
  Our center keeps on giving us surprises: on a very quiet day, no seafarers present, a seafarer arrives to sit down, without using any of our facilities. Sometimes we wonder how valid we are for the seafarer these days. So, we asked him why he would want to come to our place – lonely at that time? He answered, much to our joy, “This place is home for me!” Wow! What a validation!
  
  One day a fellow came in with his laptop. He was in his boiler suit. He found a quiet spot and proceeded to undress! He removed his suit to show us that he was dressed up! He had contacted his wife who was also dressed up. Wow! He was taking his wife out on a date. His specialness made us feel special. It was hard to imagine that we’d be surprised this way at the centre!
  
  We are in post-Pentecost times as we loop down and away from our Easter plateau. We are heading towards Advent again to begin another new cycle. At this time, I had just celebrated my 40th year anniversary – God is so good – as a priest. Many friends came to celebrate with me: a beautiful outdoor concelebrated Mass of thanksgiving and a lovely dinner.
• Edna Vieau, Port Volunteer, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  
  Statistics for January 1st to 15 May, 2008 are as follows: seafarers visiting the Mission – 4769; truckers – 26; other visitors – 321; visitors to luncheons – 144; ship visiting by staff and volunteers – 238; transports for Seafarers to the Mission, shopping or sightseeing -1304.
  
  We are looking forward to the Cruise Ship Season which has already started with one or two ships a week for the next two months and then in September and October there will be days we will have four ships visiting. No doubt you will be seeing some of the same ships.
• Richard St-Laurent, Port Volunteer, Sept-Iles, Québec
  
  Traffic in the Port of Sept-Iles has significantly improved from last year. There is approximately an average of 35 ships a month that visits the Port. Seafarers are regularly visiting the Stella Maris Center and are well taken cared of. Since there is only 1 english speaking parish in the community, the seafarers are driven to the Parish for their masses and other sacramental needs. With the increase in activity in the Port, we will provide more updates on what is happening in this area on a more regular basis.

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