Dear friends,

This past weekend I was privileged to attend Mass at my brother's parish, where he was celebrating one of his last Masses, before moving on to a new parish assignment. I thought how appropriate the readings were for this week as we celebrate the Day of the Seafarer, and I was struck by his homily.

He was kind enough to share it with me, and I just wanted to share a couple of highlights with you.  (Yes, you're right...I'm letting my brother do my homework for me this evening!) 

From the homily of Fr. Kevin L. Badeaux,  

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

Living on the coast, we don't even have to put out to sea to be endangered by the chaos of storms with their attendant winds and waves. Just this last week, we were threatened by Tropical Storm Bill which came up unexpectedly. Not many hurricanes are predicted for this summer but it only takes one to do lots of damage.

On a day to day basis, we are more threatened by the chaos in our hearts. Saint Augustine spoke in his Sermon 63 on this Gospel story:

"You have heard an insult- it's a high wind; you've gotten angry-it's a wave. So as the wind blows and the waves break, the boat is in peril, your heart is in peril, your heart is tossed about. When you hear the insult, you are eager to avenge it; you do avenge it, and by giving way to someone else's evil, you suffer shipwreck. And why is that? Because Christ is asleep in you. What does it mean that Christ is asleep in you? That you have forgotten Christ. So wake Christ up, remember Christ; let Christ stay awake in you, think about Him.

What were you wanting? Revenge. It has escaped your memory that He, when He was being crucified, said, Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). The One who was asleep there in your heart did not want revenge. Wake him up, call him to mind. The memory of Him is His word; the memory of Him is His command. And if Christ is awake in you, you will say to yourself, "What sort of person am I, wanting to get my own back? Who am I, brandishing menaces against another human being? I may well die before I get my own back. And when I depart from the body in a rage, breathing out fire and slaughter, thirsting for revenge, that One who did not wish to be avenged won't receive me. No, He won't receive me, the One who said, Give, and it will be given you, forgive and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:38, 37). So I will restrain my anger, and return to calmness of heart." Christ has commanded the sea, and there has come a great calm."

"On Christ Calming the Storm"

 Anatolius of Constaninople  

(5th Century Byzantine Patriarch)

Fierce was the wild billow;
Dark was the night;
Oars labor'd heavily;
Foam glimmer'd white;
Trembled the mariners;
Peril was nigh;
Then said the God of God,
-"Peace! It is I!"

Ridge of the mountain-wave
Lower thy crest!
Wail of Euroclydon,
Be thou at rest!
Sorrow can never be,-
Darkness must fly,-
Where saith the Light of Light
-"Peace! It is I!"

Jesu, Deliverer!
Come thou to me:
Soothe thou my voyaging
Over life's sea!
Thou, when the storm of death
Roars, sweeping by,
Whisper, O Truth of Truth!
-"Peace! It is I!

On this Day of the Seafarer, our prayers are with every mariner and all those who care for them. May Christ calm your stormy seas and the storms deep within.

Doreen M. Badeaux

Secretary General 

The following photo was taken by Fr. Steve Bauer, AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest. While serving as a Cruise Ship Priest, the ship was docked in Rennes and he was able to visit the

It is a painting from 1864 by Louis Duveau  e

We thought it was a beautiful treat to share with each of you! 

Cardinal Vincent Nichols paid tribute to seafarers, chaplains and ship visitors at Tilbury Port last week in a visit organised by Apostleship of the Sea.

The Port of Tilbury is located on the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex and is the principal port for London; as well as being the main United Kingdom port for the importation of paper. There are also extensive facilities for containers, grain, and other bulk cargoes. It is estimated that 95% of the goods consumed in the UK come in by sea.

Cardinal Nichols met with AoS chaplains and volunteers before going on to the Arklow Wave, an Irish ship which was shortly to depart for La Coruna with 13,200 metric tonnes of grain. He then met with the crew of Don Pasquale, a Singaporean ship mainly crewed by Filipino seafarers. After a tour, Captain Winston Laurel introduced the crew, for whom the ship is home for six months at a time.

"Good food makes the ship, so the cook's job is the most important one. It is very important that there is a good atmosphere on the ship and at sea we are like a family. But when we come into port, often after a long time at sea, it is important that we have the support of Apostleship of the Sea and other groups," he said.

The Cardinal spoke with individual crew members before praying with them.

"We ask God our father to bless this vessel; bless their families wherever they are and keep all the crew safe in their work. We ask Mary to protect us as well.

"It is a great privilege to stand here and understand a little of how you live, how you create a family on board and how you earn the money for your families. I want to express my respect for what you do, often in difficult and dangerous waters, away from your families. I will pray for you as you travel round the world. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the support offered by all who work with Apostleship of the Sea; this is important work and clearly valued by all those crews served by the chaplains and volunteers."

He then blessed rosaries and prayer cards that the crew of 22 had brought.

The visit took place in the lead up to Sea Sunday, on July 12. On this day the Church remembers seafarers and prays for them, their families and those who support them, including the Apostleship of the Sea whose chaplains and ship visitors provide practical and pastoral help in ports around Britain.