Deacon Joseph O’Donnell administering ash on board
To mark the beginning of Lent, seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) held Ash Wednesday services for ships’ crew at several ports around Great Britain.
At Southampton Docks and Fawley Marine Terminal, AoS South Coast port chaplain Reverend Roger Stone went on board the Grande Scandinavia and the Venere to administer ashes to seafarers.
Roger said, “The crew were very happy to be able to receive the ashes and be given the chance to practice their faith. One of the seafarers said this was the first time he had experienced a service on board since he started as a seafarer 23 years ago.”
In King George V Docks in Glasgow, AoS Clyde port chaplain Deacon Joseph O’Donnell met seafarers from the Burgia and the Endeavour where he held services and imposed ashes.
As Easter approaches, AoS port chaplains and ship visitors will increase their efforts to bring some Easter joy to seafarers by handing out Easter Eggs, as well as offering practical and pastoral support to those who need them.
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The Apostleship of the Sea, AoS, is a registered charity and agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of England & Wales and Scotland. It is wholly reliant on voluntary donations and legacies to continue its work.
90% of world trade is transported by ship, and more than 100, 000 shipsvisit British ports each year. However the life of a modern seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. They may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their family and loved ones, often working in harsh conditions.
AoS chaplains and ship visitors welcome seafarers to our shores – regardless of their colour, race or creed and provide them with pastoral and practical assistance. They recognise them as brothers with an intrinsic human dignity which can be overlooked in the modern globalised maritime industry.
For more information contact John Green, Director of Development on 020 7901 1931 or 07505653801 or email johngreen@apostleshipofthesea.org.uk
www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk
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