APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA - SEA SUNDAY

This week there is a retiring collection for Stella Maris, the official maritime welfare agency of the Catholic Church. Seafarers share their stories with the volunteers who work with Stella Maris. These are stories of hard labour and long hours, and the dangers associated with storms; stories of unjust wages and poor working conditions. (Seafarers still encounter risks, insecurity, loneliness, and often intense suffering and injustice. A young kitchen worker on a luxury cruise ship described earning less than £1 per hour for her illegally long shifts. Sailing in international waters, who checks on a crew’s working conditions? What about the sailors who, bringing us fuel, food and other merchandise, braved the Red Sea and the possibility of being shelled during the Israel–Lebanon conflict? Then there were the Naval vessels, themselves under threat, deployed to the Red Sea to protect the merchants... That’s why we pray “for those in peril on the sea”. May God be with them. - Sunday Living Word) As we celebrate Sea Sunday today, we remember, celebrate, and pray for seafarers and their families and give thanks for their lives and work. Seafarers work tirelessly in the high seas throughout the year. Without them, we would not have most of the items we rely on for daily living and that help sustain our population and economy. Stella Maris cares for the spiritual, social and material welfare of all seafarers regardless of colour, race or creed. To assist this Catholic ministry, you might also wish to send your donation to: https:// stellamarisaustralia.org/sea-sunday-appeal/