Two port chaplains and seven ship visitors from Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) in Nottingham Diocese were commissioned by Fr Andrew Cole during Mass at St Mary on the Sea Grimsby on September 5th.
The Mass was the first in a series of 15 to be held across Great Britain in September and October to commemorate the feast of Stella Maris, Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Those commissioned were AoS Immingham and Grimsby Port Chaplains Steven Willows and Bryony Watson, and ship visitors Tony Collins, Aileen Heald, Deacon Richard Jones, Joanna Perry, Savino Romagnuolo, Anne Marie Smith and Theresa Watson.
Nearly 100 people, comprising ship visitors, parish contacts, supporters and parishioners of Grimsby, Immingham and Cleethorpes joined in the Mass to pray for the ministry of AoS and for seafarers.
Mass was concelebrated by Fr Andrew and AoS Immingham Port Chaplain Fr Colum Kelly. Delivering the homily, Fr Colum spoke of how AoS had become an integral part of St Mary’s Church and parish life, and not just a side issue.
He said, “You became a part of the AoS story and over the years that story has been enriched by the fact you became a part of it. You joined in our work, became ship visitors, brought in clothes for seafarers, packed shoeboxes at Christmas time for them.”
He added, “You prayed for AoS, engaged with our ministry and responded to it. The story isn’t just a series of words but is now a part of you, and it has become richer because of the wonderful work done in this parish.”
* More photos are available here https://www.flickr.com/photos/apostleshipofthesea/sets/72157673762615928/
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