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“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” John Masefield, “Sea Fever”
Humankind has always followed stars to guide them. It is still a common practice among ship designers and builders to have a representation of a star --- either carved or cast in some suitable material --- set into the end of the bowsprit and in the ends of sail booms. For centuries, sailors have navigated the oceans by means of watching the stars. There are millions of stars up there in the sky, but there is only one star that is primarily used by navigators.
AOS also celebrated 90th anniversary of seafarer ministry in 2010. Did the year long secular and religious celebrations benefit the seafarers in terms of advancing and improving the working and living conditions of seafarers and fishers? Or is it back to square one as if these celebrations were just distractions for us in our work among people of the sea? As we embark in 2011, let us remember the lesson of the past and let this be our guiding motto.
The AOS motto in the words of Peter F. Anson was That is the North Star, the polar star, often "to reveal Christ to those who go down the sea in referred to as “Polaris.” It is the only star that is ships, and do business in great waters, with the right above the axis of the earth. … To find the object of bringing them to a North Star, you look at the deeper knowledge of Christ Big Dipper. You take the and his Church" and the logo alpha and the beta of that In this was an anchor intertwined and follow the line of sight to with a lifesaver with, at the the Little Dipper. From the seafarer’s ministry, center, the Sacred Heart of Little Dipper, it points to the we remember that Jesus. North Star that unlocks the heavens. Christ is our This motto still is relevant to us North Star. during these present day If you are a navigator, you times. It is Christ that we bring always know where the to the people of the sea. We North Star is at night. If you can continue to sail the oceans of the world, lose track of the North Star, you get lost. remaining faithful to the initial prophetic intuition to care for the spiritual and material needs of seafarAt the beginning of the year, it is good to have ers. know our bearings in our work among seafarers. It is also good to study the issues affecting the life In this seafarer’s ministry, we remember that Christ of the seafarers so that we could adequately is our North Star. There are millions of lights around respond to their needs and minister to them us, but there is only one light that can navigate us meaningfully in the new year. through life itself, and that light is Jesus Christ. Let us look back at 2010 so that we can look As we try to navigate our ways through life, there is forward to what 2011 can bring us. 2010 was only one star that can guide us, and that star is designated as the International Year of the Jesus Christ. Never lose sight of that star. Mary, His Seafarer by the International Maritime OrganizaMother would also be there for us to show us the tion (IMO). way to her Son.
Fr. Romeo Yu Chang
03 AOS JAPAN CONVENTION AOS Japan held its annual convention on 6th and 7th October in Nagoya. The aim of the convention was to deepen the commitment of the members to AOS work and to strengthen the importance of AOS in church ministry in Japan. Newly appointed AOS Bishop Promoter Michael Matsura Goro, volunteers and AOS promoters from seven different dioceses in Japan attended the meeting in order to share their work, to give support to each other and to look for answers on why AOS is important in Church mission. The Nagoya Immigration was invited to share their work and the necessary procedure for entering the port. We shared our AOS ministry and our hope that we could cooperate together to work for the welfare of seafarers. We also invited a JSU officer (All Japan Seaman’s Union) to explain the work of the union and the services offered to seafarers. Foreign seafarers who work on Japanese ships can become members of the union. This is good news especially for seafarers who are working in Japan because JSU have been very supportive by making the seafarers demands heard when there are problems.
He also talked about the problem of piracy in Somalia and its effects. Our newly appointed National Directress Kim asked if there is follow-up help for those who become victims of kidnapping. So far there is no program but they hope to have one in the future. We ended our first day of meeting with the sharing of 3 AOS promoters from three different dioceses. Bishop Matsura Goro gave his opening remark on the second day about the theme of the meeting. AOS work is our answer to God’s call to share in His mission. Indeed this is our calling and mission. He also encouraged all AOS volunteers and promoters to continue their work and to support each other. We presented the results of the questionnaire to determine the direction of the AOS activities in Japan. The questionnaire included questions like how many times do you conduct ship visits, how many times do you celebrate mass on board, what nationalities do you normally visit, and where do you get your support for activities. With the recent stricter port rules, most of
us commented that there is limited time to visit ships and the ships have shorter time in port. The stricter rules also limit us in bringing old newspapers or rosaries into the port. About financial support, volunteers said that there should at least be support from the diocese where AOS activities are being done. In the future we foresee an increase in the number of seafarers from Burma and Indonesia. This will have affect the way we communicate with the seafarers We ended our National Meeting with a mass and the distribution of calendars that will be our Christmas gift to seafarers this year.
AOS work is our answer to God’s call to share in His mission.
04 AOS GSC Port Spearheads National Seafarers Day Celebration The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) General Santos City (GSC) Port, once again paid tribute to the Filipino seafarer for their contribution to society and the maritime industry when it spearheaded the National Seafarers Day celebration in the Port of General Santos City on September 26. The event coincided with the culmination of Maritime Week celebration which the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) GSC hosted in coordination with various maritime stakeholders. To create awareness of the day’s celebration, which has “Marinong Pilipino Dangal Ka Ng Bayan” as its theme, a motorcade kicked-off the half-day activities. Thirty-five vehicles convoyed from National Highway (Notre Dame Dadiangas University) to Makar Wharf (General Santos City Port). Introduction of delegates by sectors followed. Then, as a sign of support to the seafarers worldwide, the AOS GSC Port facilitated the signature campaign against piracy initiated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and launched by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Stella Maris Seafarers’ Drop-in Center, under the management of Sr. Susan O. Bolanio, OND, made its IT facilities available for the electronic signing of “End Piracy Now” campaign. OND Hesed Foundation, Inc. provided additional computers and personnel to accommodate more signatures. Government and private maritime stakeholders from the cities of General Santos and Koronadal, as well as municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi, Sto. Niño and Banga were represented. The Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Joy Peleno, acting director of DXCP, followed right after. The AOS GSC Port also took the opportunity of inaugurating the Seafarers Lodging Facility during the
celebration. The 40-footer van which was converted into a lodging facility was made possible through the generosity of Dole Philippines (Dolephil) under the management of Kevin Davis. In 2008, Dolephil also donated a 40-footer van which was converted to what is now the Stella Maris Seafarers’ Drop-in Center. As a sign of gratitude to Dolephil, a plaque of appreciation was presented to Kevin Davis by the Diocese of Marbel (AOS GSC Port being its ministry for the pastoral and social care of seafarers) for its continued support to AOS. Fr. Victor Labao gave a talk on the comprehensive rights and protection given to seafarers in the “Maritime Labour Convention of 2006” which was very enlightening, particularly for the dependents and families of seafarers. Among the salient points mentioned were: “(1) the new labour standard consolidates and updates more than 65 international labour standards related to seafarers adopted over the last 80 years; (2) the Convention sets out seafarers' rights to decent conditions of work on a wide range of subjects, and aims to be globally applicable, easily understandable, readily updatable and uniformly enforced; and (3) it has been designed to become a global instrument for quality shipping, complementing the key Conventions of the IMO.” by Girlie Diaz (OND Hesed Foundation Inc. staff / AOS GSC Port volunteer)
05 Drop-In Center In Singapore Opens Introducing the Seafarers' International Drop In Center in Singapore at the Keppel Entrance The drop-in center is a project by the Maritime Ports Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the different Christian missions in Singapore, the Apostleship of the Sea as one of the collaborators.
Hello Seafarers, My colleagues Richard, David and I, Joseph, welcome you to the International Drop-In Center for Seafarers. Conveniently located above the Immigration and Customs clearance center, come and enjoy the Internet, telephone service and light refreshment we offer. Personally I was astounded when I discovered this fact. "Seafarers are like a 'Mighty Hand' who move 80% of world cargo to destinations all over the world!" Wow! Please drop-by, use the facility and maybe tell us your story. From us all at the center, a Blessed New Year. See you soon.at the center.
Joseph
Captain Released From Prison After a four an a half year soujourn in India Capt. Vivencio Bartolini returned home to his family. He spent five months in a prison in Mumbai from 25th May 2006 on trumped up charges. He was in the care of AOS India until his ultimate return to Cebu on 28th Aug. 2010. His wife Nilda visited India in June 2010 and sucessfully lobbied for his ultimate release and return. Seen in the picture are all his sons and their progeny.
06 DISTRESSED SEAFARERS AT SEA The AOS - Seafarers’ Welfare Assistance Team (AOS-SWAT) in Taichung Port responded to the call of Capt. Hitoshi Yoshino, the General Manager of Mimic Ship Management Co. in Taipei, to help the distressed seafarers onboard S/S Taitar No. 4, an LNG Carrier from Qatar, following the death of their crew mate (Chief Cook) a month ago. The team comprising of Fr. Loloy, the AOS Chaplain and Rose Lin, an AOS certified seafarers’ counselor, boarded the vessel and conducted a group counseling session to the 27 Filipino crew.
Fr. Eliseo M. Napiere, MSP
safety and stability, much of their worries were on the availability of immediate medical evacuation when an emergency happens to them.
S/S Taitar 4 is a brand new tanker vessel with advanced computerized equipment, skilled crew and a responsible Romanian Master.
The Philippine maritime units failed to respond to an air medical evacution for their crew mate because there was no available coast guard chopper. The crew were left helpless until their mate expired from illness.
In an emergency situation like this, life is of paramount importance for everyone. After the group counseling session, the affected seafarers experienced relief and expressed their gratitude to the AOSSWAT for taking time to listen to their painful stories at sea.
The crew expressed their concern on what had happened. Even though the officials of the vessel were concerned about their
Much of their worries were on the availability of immediate medical evacuation when an emergency happens to them.
A NEW BEGINNING FOR SEAFARERS AT TAICHUNG After a long wait for a new Seafarers’ Center in Taichung Port, the National Chinese Seamen’s Union (NCSU) and the Catholic Church’s Apostleship of the Sea Taiwan have forged an agreement to
establish a joint welfare program for the International Seafarers and fishers in Taichung Port. Bishop Martin Su Yao-wen of the Diocese
Fr. Eliseo M. Napiere, MSP
of Taichung and Mr. Jerry Sun, the President of the NCSU, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on November 11, 2010 to start a new Stella Maris Seafarers’ Center It will be located in the existing facility of the NCSU’s International Seamen’s Club and will be managed by the Apostleship of the Sea in Taichung Diocese with the support of the International Transport (Workers) Federation - Seafarers’ Trust (ITF-ST) in London. The facility will be run by Rev. Fr. Eliseo M. Napiere, MSP, the AOS National Director and AOS Taichung Port Chaplain. The cooperation between the National Chinese Seamen’s Union and the Apostleship Of the Sea of the Diocese of Taichung marks the beginning of a collective welfare program for seafarers among the civil society and the Roman Catholic Church of Taiwan.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS NEXT REGIONAL MEETING 9 to 13 May 2011
The Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference, through the Office of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CRBC-ECMI), has accepted the Pontifical Council's endorsement for the meeting of the Apostleship of the Sea in Asia and Southeast Asia Region, on May 9 - 13, 2011. Regional Meetings “are fraternal and convivial occasions and those who participate benefit greatly from the experience of the others.” This regional meeting will precede the AOS World Congress of 2012. We thank Bishop Bosco Lin, the AOS bishop promoter of Taiwan and Fr. Loloy Napiere, Taiwan AOS national director for graciously accepting to be the host of this regional meeting. Please mark these dates on your calendar.
AOS IN CAMBODIA Phnom Penh & Shihanoukville
The regional coordinator went to Cambodia from November 15-19, 2010 with the prospect of expanding AOS presence in this country. He met with the Vicar Delegate of Phnom Penh, Fr. Mario Ghezzi, PIME who represented Bishop Olivier Schmitthauesler, Bishop of Phnom Penh who at that time was outside of the country for a Bishops’ conference meeting in Laos. After the meeting, he traveled to Shihanoukville to meet with Fr. Dennis Carrier who is working at the port parish of Shihanoukville. Fr. Dennis belongs to the "Quebec Missionaries, the same congregation of Fr. Raymond Desrochers who was a former AOS National Director in Japan. In his visit to Japan several years back, he visited ships together with Fr. Raymond and it was a good experience for him.
AOS IN VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City
Hopefully, AOS will be active in Cambodia through Fr. Dennis.
The regional coordinator went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on August 10 –14, 2010 to see the possibility of establishing an AOS presence in Vietnam. He met with the Most Rev. Peter Nguyen, DD Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City and Fr. Joseph, the secretary of the Cardinal at the Cardinal's Place. He also visited the office of the Episcopal Commission on Migrant and Itinerant People (ECMI). We are still following up the matter with the concerned people. Let’s pray that AOS will have its presence in this shore.
NEW APPOINTMENTS Japan
Newly appointed AOS Bishop Promoter:
Michael Matsura Goro
Newly appointed AOS National Director:
Soon-ho Kim
We congratulate them for their appointment and wish them success in their work. We thank their predecessors for their invaluable contribution to AOS during their term of office.