Christian communities around the world will this weekend celebrate Sea Sunday to remind people of the essential work of more than a million seafarers, who have been doing it especially tough during the COVID pandemic.
In Australia, Stella Maris and other Christian providers of welfare services, encourage everyone to pray for the safety, good health and good working conditions for seafarers.
Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, new Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in his message for Sea Sunday said over recent years the maritime world had been hit by a series of crises. Increased demand for goods has led to more ships being held at anchorage for longer periods of time. The war in Ukraine means that ships now face the impossible task of navigating through the mines in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
He said the global pandemic meant that over 400,000 seafarers have been stuck on board, unable to leave the ship at the end of their contracts and return home to their families.
Marking the annual appeal, Roslyn Rajasingam, National Director of Stella Maris Australia, thanked seafarers for their hard work and perseverance even during a pandemic and asked Catholic communities “to pray for seafarers to have the strength to endure the harshness of the oceans and face their challenges in life.”
Parishioners are invited to visit the Stella Maris website on www.stellamarisaustralia.org to read the full message of Cardinal Czerny, learn more about this Catholic ministry and donate to this national appeal.
With thanks to Stella Maris Australia.
