CHRIST
AT SEA
Fr. Savino Bernardi, C.S.
I, a Christian leader, on board?
Why not!
ON NOVEMBER 25 to 26, 2000, the Apostleship of the Sea
in Manila began a new initiative to the spiritual benefit of the many thousands
of Catholic and Christian seafarers on board, both Filipinos and from other
countries, called A Christian Leadership Course for Seafarers. The organization
of this course took some time in organizing because of the necessity to
have the module well prepared and to provide the necessary copies of the
texts the participants could take on board in assistance to their ministry.
Seven seafarers attended: Rolando Gregore from Camarin,
Caloocan; Rodger Monte from Naga City; Ernesto Quimpo from Lanang, Davao
City; Filomeno Suycano from Malabon, MM; Elcer Gomez from Casay, Aniniy,
Antique; Carlos Jaen from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo; and Jose Salugta from Sta.
Barbara, Iloilo.
Some attended with their wife as they were encouraged
to do. It was an encouraging beginning of this special AOS Program with
the result that the first four of them were also commissioned as Ministers
of the Eucharist on board the ship. The others have been prepared to organize
moments of prayer and Bible studies among their crew. The initiative has
been encouraged by the Holy Father himself when he said: “The chaplain
of the Apostleship of the Sea must identify among maritime personnel those
who display leadership qualities and help their aptitude for creating and
guiding a Christian community on board…and train them as extraordinary
ministers of the Eucharist on board ships.”
The effectiveness of the course could be measured only
in time. However, even though still few, they can reach out to many of
their crew members like a little yeast raising the whole mass. It is often
reported by crews that they need these moments of prayer and closeness
with God on board. The practice is, in fact, taking place in several ships.
What is needed is to qualify these religious gatherings with people more
prepared and empowered by the Church with a special ministry.
AOS Manila will continue the Christian Leadership and
Ministry Course for Seafarers every last weekend of each month for the
year 2001, the next one being on January 27 to 28. The wife of the participating
seafarer or one member of the family is welcomed realizing how important
it is that the seafarer taking this special ministry on board should be
encouraged and supported in the course of his service. Application is now
open with AOS Manila and we are happy to give any further information to
those who wish to contact us, even if still on board and wishing to enroll
at the end of the present contract.
The surprising reaction often heard from seafarers, particularly
from those of AB rank, is: “Can I?”. I have no hesitation to answer: “Yes,
you can! And you can make a difference in the life of crew members aboard
your ship”.
Through this special ministry events like Christmas, Holy
Week, Easter and every Sunday can be truly celebrated with the whole Christian
community, bring everyone closer in spirit with their family and strengthen
the spirit, cooperation and friendship of all on board with a significant
improvement of joy and endurance in the course of their life on board.
Of course, the implied request is that Captains and Officers
on board, while they are also encouraged to take on this role of Christian
leaders, should at least support and encourage those who are willing to
offer this special contribution to their crew. After all, it is well known
by all in the maritime industry that “a happy crew is a safe crew” and
“a prayerful crew becomes a more responsible and cooperative crew.” On
this note, even Manning Agencies, shipowners and others in the employment
sector of the maritime industry are invited to support this beneficial
initiative and encourage their seafarers to take on the challenge.
AOS is proud to contribute in this special way to an even
greater recognition of the Filipino seafarers, now officially recognized
by the IMO into the White List, as the first seafarers in the world for
their professionalism, their adaptability and for their spiritual and moral
contribution in the maritime world. |
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OPINION
EDITORIAL:
To
stay on the list
SOUNDING LEAD:
Palompon,
a history of survival
Capt. Reynold M. Sabay
CHRIST AT SEA:
I,
a Christian leader, on board? Why not!
Fr. Savino Bernardi, C.S.
THE LAW OF SEAFARERS:
Validity
of quitclaims and releases
Atty. LeonardoVinz O. Ignacio
PUNTO DE VISTA
Honoring
the country's modern-day heroes
Paul S. Esber
Contribute your ideas online!
Express your opinion!
You can now
any discussion on seafarer's issues anytime or anywhere you are with
Usapang Marino
(Seafarer's Forum)
at URL: http://www.ufs.ph/discus
Want to play
basketball while in Rotterdam?
Filipino Seafarers who want
to play basketball on Sundays in Rotterdam, please contact Doming Malaloan
at Tel. No.: 010-463635 or International Seamen's Centre, Heijplaat, Rotterdam,
Tel. No.: 4290702 |
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