"I was a stranger and you made me welcome" (Matt 25:25)
Today shipping is a crucial, but often unseen, component of the global economy, yet most of us don’t really think about it. Like it or not, we depend on shipping for a majority of the goods and products we own and/or consume. By extension, we rely on the crews who sail the ships.
These seafaring men and women endure many challenges at sea (piracy and dangerous seas to name a few); they often experience loneliness, isolation and also depression. Above all they are separated from their family and friends for many months at a time.
My association with Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre in Melbourne goes back to the mid 90s when I returned from Japan. Having worked with the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners before entering the seminary, my fascination with ships and the sea extends back quite a way!
Every week now I visit ships in the Port of Melbourne with Bobbie Grech who has worked for Stella Maris as a Dedicated Ship Visitor for 40 years.
In the course of a day we visit six or seven ships and we try to live out the Stella Maris Seafarers' Mission statement by 'providing a home away from home to all the seafarers; ensuring that the spiritual, social, physical and material needs are met...regardless of race, colour or creed.'
I celebrate Mass on board ship, I have blessed new ships and also spent plenty of time just talking and sharing life. A meal with the captain and his crew has also been on the cards... simple meals prepared by one or two members of the ship's crew.
For those who were in Port at Easter this year, the Easter ceremonies were offered. Not only did Catholics participate, some men and women of other creeds joined us in prayer and then celebrated with the volunteer staff who generously give their time to be with and help those who are away from home in a strange land.
Each visit to a ship and each day present new challenges but with the co-operation and the support of the shipping agents and the port staff and security, these are met. Walking up the narrow gangways to the tops of these big ships is a bit daunting but knowing that the Apostleship of the Sea acts for the Church among the peoples of the sea highlights one aspect of mission which we so often forget about... the service of hospitality.
To see the delight on the seafarers faces indicates and highlights the fact that the work of Stella Maris is valued by so many. Last year over 17,500 seafarers visited the Centre in Melbourne. Up to a week or so ago around 8,000 have already visited the Centre this year so it looks like certainly more visitations for the rest of the year.
Fr Tony Cox resides at St Columban's, Essendon, Melbourne.
Read more from The Far East, July 2011