In the gospel of Luke, Chapter 5, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee and notices Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John casting nets into the water. Jesus calls out to the four men and asks them to follow him. He tells them that he will send them out to fish for people, instead of fish. So they left everything and followed Jesus.

Capt. Parravano at work in Half Moon Bay, CA.

In the gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, Jesus feeds a multitude of people with 5 loaves and two fish. He gave this food to his disciples to distribute amongst the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied with their meal.

In the gospel of John, Chapter 21, Jesus offers hope to some of his disciples who were unsuccessful at catching fish. He suggests to them to throw their net on the other side of the boat. When they cast their net according to directions from Jesus, the net was swollen with fish and they were unable to haul it into the boat. They towed the net to the shore. On the shore, they noticed glowing coals. Jesus asked the fishermen to bring Him some fish and have breakfast together.

On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical (LAUDATO SI) calling for dialogue and action on the continued adverse impacts of human activities on the habitat and resources needed for sustenance and quality of life. He writes

Pope Francis uses his encyclical to illustrate the consequences of increased exploitation and destruction of our natural resources. Our adjacent oceans are a major source of food. Issues like ocean acidification, ocean warming, ocean pollution, and algal blooms are detrimental to healthy and productive oceans and consequently reduce access and dependence on food supplies. We cannot afford to witness this decline of seafood harvest and ocean quality due to environmental impacts. Pope Francis reminds us "that human beings destroy the biological diversity in God's creation; that human beings compromise the integrity of the earth and contribute to climate change, stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; that human beings pollute the water, soil, air; all these are sins."  

These references in the gospels and in LAUDATO SI illustrate the importance of fish as food and are very significant and important in our lives today. Many times we take for granted that food will be always available and plentiful. Many times we do not understand the source of food and how food arrives in a market. Commercial fishermen bring you a variety of seafood which is unique to the region. We do this with pride using skills that we have learned working on the back deck of fishing boats. The role of fishermen is deeply rooted in the gospels and is affirmed with LAUDATO SI. Its significance continues today in our coastal communities and the Great Lakes. Often catching fish is a spiritual way of life and serves as a symbol culture and heritage.

Fish is one of the most nutritious foods available.

Both the gospels and the Papal encyclical uses fish and oceans to give credit to fishermen as food producers and to healthy oceans as food providers. Both remind us "Don't mess with our faith, our fish and our oceans".

Pietro Parravano

AOS-USA

Chair, Fishing Committee

July 6, 2015

The 100 boats were handed over to needy fishermen and their families on March 14 in the city of Borongan, which also more recently was the landing point of another major storm that killed 18 and destroyed dozens of homes. The boats, bearing the Knights of Columbus emblem, were lined up on the beach, where they were blessed by Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan. Overseeing the transfer of the boats were Alonso Tan, supreme director for the Philippines, Visayas Deputy Rodrigo Sorongon and Luzon Deputy Arsenio Yap. Public officials and local media also attended the ceremony.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, director of communications for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said that the boat donation was "a perfect example of a charity that evangelizes, and of neighbor helping neighbor. It showed exactly what the Knights of Columbus are all about and gave the Order a big boost in this area which has suffered so much from storms. Everyone now knows that the Knights keep their promises, and when they help, it is not just for today but for the long haul."

Msgr. Quitorio said that one boat recipient who was asked to speak at the ceremony said that when local Knights came to the area to find out who had lost their fishing boats, most people didn't believe that they could provide help because they looked like poor victims themselves. But when the completed boats began to be delivered to the shoreline a few weeks later, the whole city of Borongan began talking about the Knights.

"Some of the big national and international relief agencies had come through the area, promising all kinds of help, but very little was done for the average villager," Msgr. Quitorio explained. "But the Knights delivered what they promised, and there are now a total of more than 200 fishermen and their families who are back to the sea, supporting themselves."

Under the Livelihood Project, builders who had lost their profession in Typhoon Haiyan were hired to construct boats for fishermen who has lost their vessels. More than 100 boats were delivered last year to victims in Tacloban and adjoining areas. The project was financed by donations of more than $800,000 from Knights and other donors to an emergency relief fund, including an immediate dispersal of $250,000 by the Supreme Council.

New Address from mid-June:

9103 Fortuna Drive, # 9306

Mercer Island, WA 98040                                                                        

May 30, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you know, my precious Roald, my husband of 61 years and whom I had known most of my life, died here in our home on Sunday, March 1st. So appropriate for him, I thought, to enter Heaven on a Sunday! Our eldest daughter, Evelyn, and I were with him. Our chaplain, Greg, had visited him a little earlier. We four sang together. There was a light, hopeful tone when we prayed together. And Roald joined us. He had not realized that his life was so close to ending, in spite of his oxygen use. It was only when Evelyn, his loving daughter as well as nurse, answered his question a couple of days before, that he became intentional about seeing other local family members and having fine moments with them. And we were able to grant his wish to stay at home.

The many scars on his lungs were unknown to us until January. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Nothing could have been done about them and we all continued our lives in 2014, so grateful for good health - which seemed to manifest itself except for some developing sporadic coughing for Roald. He even managed to finish a long and challenging article on the Founder of Norwegian Seamen's Mission last year for publication in the Bergen (Norway) Maritime Museum's periodical.

It was only when CT X-ray was used (a regular X-ray did not show the scars), that the scars were seen. Since then, we all began to learn how to accept the shorter span of Roald's life. He and we truly thought he would live to 100! We have had many changes in our lives and we always have had God's and people's help to face them. This one, however, was of course huge! The ameliorating gift was that we were given some time to adjust. For me, it was really after Roald died that the situation hit me with a sledgehammer. I did know about the grief process from my earlier work and now it was vital to use whatever would help me with that knowledge. The girls and I have been able to help each other. Although our relationships to Roald have been different, we have been able to be open and sharing, crying and laughing. There have been many delightful memories too, of course.

The main reason for my writing today is that I have received the most amazing greetings from so many. I thought I would be writing individually to each one - and wanted to so much. I found, however, that I just wasn't going to be able to do so. This is an attempt to let all of you know that I not only read the greetings but often read them over again, absolutely receiving comfort and strength through all the love and caring they brought me. Thank you so very much from the depth of my heart! And for those who have been sending kind thoughts/prayers this way, I am so thankful. There are some of you who may not know of Roald's departure from this life; I greet you warmly as well.  

I am now in the throes of yet another move in my life! This time it is just on the slant across Fortuna Drive from this building. The one-bedroom apartment has a balcony that looks over Lake Washington, just as our present apartment has done. I already know my neighbors and will be living nearly next to a pleasant, living room-like area, on the same floor.  

The Memorial Service of Thanksgiving for Roald on Saturday, June 1st, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, in Bellevue, WA, was as wonderful as we had hoped and prayed for. Our pastor for 24 years, Tom Kidd, is retired but returned for that day. Our chaplain here at Covenant Shores, Greg Asimakoupoulos, gave the homily. Our bishop came to honor Roald. Grandson Ben and Heather and their five children arrived to be present, from NY State.   

Click to see Roald's Bulletin from the Church 

Our whole family was here. Evelyn, Erik and Ben spoke beautifully about our patriarch. Later, our family gathered in the Lodge, for dinner in a private room. The staff had prepared a festive, long table and a fine meal for 21 hungry people. Afterwards, we relaxed on the spacious lawn by the water. Some took a plunge, flew a kite, or just ran around. Nearly two year old Grace had learned to walk four weeks earlier so of course had to show off her new-found ability. It was, for us, a good day, honoring our wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and thanking our Lord for him. One of my fondest memories is when we had our family get-togethers. It was always expected that Roald would share some chosen words for the day. He always started with, "On this auspicious occasion . . ." At that, everyone, however young, were totally quiet, looking at him and listening.

I will end with what Roald's reminder is to us all. However exciting and wonderful he found life to be, Roald would say, "The best is yet to come!" He wanted everyone to join him! Affectionately, he would say, "Be there!"

Gratefully, and wishing you all many blessings this coming summer,

With love,     

from Ruth