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Prayer Requests:
For the repose of the soul of Mr. Thomas McNamara, Uncle & Godfather of Karen Parsons, AOS Galveston/Texas City. Mr. McNamara was a WWII Veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart. As a former Navy man, he enjoyed listening to stories about Karen's work with Seafarers. Please Karen's Mother and family in prayer.
For Goya Aguilar, restaurant Manager at the Houston Int'l Seafarers' Center. Who has been with the Center for over 25 years. Goya has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. The staff requests prayers from her AOS Family.
For Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza who will undergo surgery on is colon and bladder on March 23.
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Join AOS USA Today!
To join AOS USA simply click on the following link:
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ITF Seafarers' Trust launches logo and film for 30th Annivesary
(Editors Note: AOS-USA Congratulates the ITF Seafarers' Trust for 30 years of service to Seafarers and to the Port Chaplains and Seafarers' Centers who serve them. We are also proud to see how many times the Apostleship of the Sea or "Stella Maris" is mentioned in the video. Kuddos to all!)
March 29, 2012
A short 30 minute documentary made by David Browne of Parachute Pictures was released in time for the Trusts 30th anniversary last week.
The film gives a good illustration of the way that the Trust is funding its partners in providing seafarers welfare around the world and highlighting the work in Barcelona, Hamburg, Odessa, Mumbai and Kandla.
A few Copies on DVD are also available from the Trust.
The Trust also launched its new logo which has been updated to incorporated the ITF logo and clearly show we are the ITF Seafarers Trust.
New vehicle, building and equipment stickers with this new logo have been produced and these are now available from the Trust Office.
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Seafarers' Center honored on 50th Anniversary
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Editors Note: AOS-USA congratulates AOS-USA members: Deacon Patrick LaPoint, Fr. Rommel Tolentino, Sandy LaPoint and the staff and volunteers for their good work in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Lake Charles is truly one of the most active Seafarers' Centers in the country. Congratulations! We wish you 50 more years!
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Tuesday, 10 April 2012 13:31 | |
LAKE CHARLES -- The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People has recognized the Seafarers Center of the Diocese of Lake Charles on its 50th anniversary. The Center will celebrate the Golden Anniversary of its establishment as a ministry to seafarers coming into Southwest Louisiana with Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday, April 18, at 10 a.m.
The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles will be the celebrant of the liturgy.
A rededication ceremony and open house will be held at the Stella Maris Seafarers' Center, 150 Marine Street, immediately following the Mass, at 11:30 a.m. The open house, which features light refreshments, will continue through the remainder of the day, according to Deacon Patrick Lapoint, Center Director.
Bishop Provost received notification of the honor Tuesday, April 10. The letter reads as follows:
Dear friends and supporters of the Seafarers Center in the Diocese of Lake Charles,
on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of your Center I would like to express my sincere best wishes and congratulations.
Since the foundation of the Apostleship of the Sea, the Centers have played an important role in the life of the seafarers often being a beacon of light in moments of difficulties and a safe port in the midst of turmoil. In the maritime environment today with long hours of work, short turn around of vessels nd the many security restrictions on the port, the visit onboard of a chaplain or the transport to the Center for a telephone call or a moment of relaxation are essential.
Today we would like to pay tribute and express our gratitude to all the chaplains, volunteers and supports that through the years have worked with dedication and commitment to make the seafarers Center of Lake Charles functioning and effective in its mission.
Our thanks go also to Bishop Glen Provost who values and supports this ministry in his Diocese, to the actual Center's Deacon Patrick Lapoint and the Port Chaplain Fr. Rommel Tolentino. It is their responsibility that the Lake Charles Center be "a home away from home" for many seafarers.
We pray that Mary, Star of the Sea, extends her maternal and protective cloak upon all the seafarers visiting the Center, assuring the continuation of this great service for many more years to come.
Sincerely yours,
(s) Antonio Maria Cardinal Veglio
President
(s) Joseph Kalathiparambil
Secretary
The first idea of the Center goes back to 1956 when Bishop Maurice Schexnayder (Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana) ordered the establishment of the "Lake Charles Seamen's Center". In 1957 Fr. Theodore Hassink was appointed the first chaplain and began to develop this ministry while working out of his car and house. In the early 1960s, a building came into existence and on April 18, 1962 the papers of incorporation were signed by the Louisiana Secretary of State, Wade O. Martin. Since then, the Center has grown, developed and expanded to serve a great area and respond to the demands of an increased number of seafarers.
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Texas City Disaster - April 16, 1947
Courtesy: West Gulf Maritime Association & Dennis Bryant
On April 16, 1947, in the port of Texas City, Texas, the freighter GRANDCAMP, with a cargo of ammonium nitrate, small arms ammunition, machinery, and sisal twine, caught fire. The fire quickly spread to the nearby freighter HIGH FLYER, loaded with ammonium nitrate and sulfur. When the two ships exploded, it largely flattened the harbor area. It is estimated that over 600 people died in the explosion and fires (exact numbers were unattainable due to the extent of damage). The US Coast Guard investigation of the casualty determined that the fire was initiated by unauthorized smoking in the cargo hold of the GRANDCAMP. It recommended, among other things, that regulations for carriage of dangerous goods be revised.
Bryant's Maritime Consulting
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Costa Concordia Salvage to Begin in May
Courtesy: Reuters April 12, 2012
GIGLIO, Italy (Reuters) - The salvage operation to move the capsized Costa Concordia away from the island of Giglio, where it ran aground three months ago, will begin next month, an official said on Thursday.
Civil Protection official Fabrizio Curcio told reporters at a conference on the island that he expected contracts to be signed by the end of April and the operation to begin in mid-May.
Sources close to the operation said two consortia were on the short list to carry out the salvage work. One was composed of Smit Salvage of the Netherlands and Italy's Neri and the other by Titan Salvage of the United States and Micoperi of Greece.
The ship, owned by Carnival Corp & Plc, capsized off the Tuscan island after hitting rocks on January 13. At least 30 people died and two are still unaccounted for.
The operation to pump more than 2,300 metric tons (2535.3 tons) of fuel out of the vessel was completed last month.
(Reporting By Philip Pullella)
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Hostage of Somali Pirates - Sailor's Nightmare: Capt. Miro Alibasic spent 87 days a hostage of Somali pirates
By Peter Valk
Epoch Times Staff
April 12, 2012
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A World of Discovery for Seafarers
Courtesy: Marine Cafe Blog
April 11, 2012
Discovery Channel has linked up with Maritime Training Services (MTS) to offer quality content films specifically designed for crews of merchant ships. The first set release is now available, consisting of 10 DVDs totaling 30 hours and 50 episodes. Watch this preview of the segment, "Treasure Quest: Mysterious Cargo":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUF_4QHY44Y
The initial package costs just US$450 - a paltry investment for ship operators who want to boost morale on board whilst keeping their crews properly informed.
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AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest and Port Chaplain available as Vacation Substitute
A reminder for all Port Chaplains:
Now that vacation time is here, please note:
Father Dick Barclift, a trained & experienced Port Chaplain is willing to sub for you at Port - and at your Parish if needed.
Father is a retired Priest of the Peoria Diocese in Illinois.
You can contact him at the following:
Rev. Dick Barclift
110 19th st. # 205
Rock Island, Il. 61201
309.737.5353
frbe@mchsi.com
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Important Upcoming Events for
AOS USA Members
AOS-USA Annual Meeting
Houston, Texas
May 15-17, 2012
AOS-USA Annual Conference Registration
National Day of Remembrance and Prayer for Mariners and the People of the Sea
2012 Maritime Day Mass
10:00 a.m.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Crypt Church
400 Michigan Ave. N.E.
Washington, D.C.
For more information: 202-541-3225 or at www.usccb.org/aos
National Maritime Day & National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners
May 22, 2012
XXIII World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea
November 19-23, 2012 @ The Vatican
AOS World Congress Invitation
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