Mass aboard ship for Filipino crew

When the Filipino crew of a ship docked at Leith asked for Mass on board, their wish was granted thanks to the care of Stella Maris and a local priest.

Fr Ray Warren OMI (main pic left), of St Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Leith, celebrated Mass for the crew, heard confessions, and blessed the ship.

A sister vessel berthed alongside also had Catholic crew members take part.

After Mass, Robert King – Stella Maris Regional Port Chaplain for Glasgow and Edinburgh (main pic right) – distributed prayer cards, rosaries, holy water, and woolly hats.

For the men of the laid-up ship, whose faith is important to them, it was a moment of faith, friendship, and recognition in the midst of their demanding work at sea.

One crew member expressed how much it meant: it lifted their spirits, gave them peace, and reassured them that they are not forgotten.

Life on the Peripheries

Seafarers and fishers live and work on the margins of society.

Their lives are hidden from view, yet they play a crucial role in bringing us so much of the food, fuel, and goods we depend on.

Their work is gruelling: six hours on, six hours off, day after day.

They endure isolation, limited shore leave, and the dangers of sailing through risky waters.

They miss family milestones – births, graduations, celebrations, funerals – moments most of us take for granted.

Not Forgotten

That is why Stella Maris exists: to remind them that they are not alone.

Its chaplains and volunteer ship visitors are a lifeline in ports around the UK, offering friendship, practical help, and spiritual care.

Robert King’s support for the crew in Leith showed this in action. His presence, and the celebration of Mass, reminded the seafarers that their sacrifices are recognised and that they are visible, valued, and loved.

As we celebrate the season of harvest and abundance, let us remember these hidden heroes of the sea.

Please keep seafarers and fishers in your prayers and support the mission of Stella Maris, which continues to serve them with Christ’s love.

For more information and to donate, visit www.stellamaris.org.uk.

Sea Sunday

Catholic charity Stella Maris (formerly called Apostleship of the Sea) is one of the few maritime charities with chaplains who carry out ship visits. They work with seafarers on the frontline.

On Sea Sunday (today, 13 July) let us pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris.

Parishes have been invited to have an optional special collection. Donations can be made to Stella Maris here.

Stella Maris: A Good Samaritan for Seafarers

When a fisherman fled his boat after allegedly being abused by the captain, he ended up stranded at Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow.

Robert King, Regional Port Chaplain for Stella Maris at ports including Leith and Grangemouth, 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 said.

"He had no money and was so grateful to see a friendly face. By now it was after 6:00pm 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.

A friend when one is needed

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 and 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 which falls on 13 July 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.

Their 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.

On Sea Sunday, which falls on 13th July this year, let us pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris.

Parishes have the option of having a special collection for Sea Sunday on 13 July. Donations can be made to Stella Maris here.

WATCH: Barbara Dickson highlights role of Stella Maris

Singer, songwriter and actress Barbara Dickson has highlighted her support for seafarers' charity Stella Maris.

In a new video for the Catholic charity, she speaks about the "emotional practical and spiritual support" it gives to seafarers, fishers and their families in the UK and around the world.

To find out more about its work and to donate, visit: www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate