AOS USA 3 colored logo
AOS USA Maritime Updates 

The Professional Association of Catholic Mariners, Cruise Ship Priests and Catholic Maritime Ministers.

 

May 22, 2016

In This Issue
Celebrate National Maritime Day & Day of Prayer & Remembrance for Mariners!
Presidential Proclamation - National Maritime Day 2016!
Annual Maritime Memorial reconnects Families of the TEXACO OKLAHOMA 45 years later.
Join AOS-USA in saying the AOS Prayer daily!
Upcoming Events
PrayingHands
    Prayer Requests:
 


For all seafarers who are just starting their careers, especially those who are struggling to find work in the current economic climate.



 
Prayer of St. Basil of
Caesarea (ca. 330-379)  


Steer the ship of my life, Lord, to your quiet harbor, where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict. Show me the course I should take. Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can see the right direction in which I should go. And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace.
  



A Seafarers' Prayer



O God, I ask you to take me into your care and protection along with all those who sail ships.
Make me alert and wise in my duties. Make me faithful in the time of routine, and prompt to decide and courageous to act in any time of crisis.
Protect me in the dangers and perils of the sea; and even in the storm, grant that there may be peace and calm within my heart.
When I am far from home and far from loved ones and far from the country that I know,
help me to be quite sure that, wherever I am, I can never drift beyond your love and care.
Take care of my loved ones in the days and weeks and months when I am separated from them, sometimes with half the world between them and me.
Keep me true to them and keep them true to me, and every time that we have to part, bring us together in safety and in loyalty again.
This I ask for your love's sake.
-Amen-
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


AOS PRAYER 
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all Seafarers.    
(1 Our Father)
(Hail Mary)
  
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
  
St. Peter, pray for us.
  
St. Andrew, pray for us.
  
Lord save us,  
or we perish.
 
 
AOS USA 3 colored logo 

 

Join AOS USA Today!

 

To join AOS USA simply click on the following link:

 

Ministry Quicklinks

 

 





 

   
AOS Streaming Video 
 
AOS/USCCB Website:

 

Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the great waters; 

they saw the deeds of the Lord,

his wondrous works in the deep.

(Psalm 107:23-24)





Celebrate National Maritime Day & the Day of Prayer & Remembrance for Mariners!  
 
Dear Friends,



Today, we Celebrate National Maritime Day in the United States, as well as the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners.



We hope each of you is able to celebrate it in some way in your ports and in your Churches. If you have photos and/or a story to share, we'd love to get that and share it in a future e-news!



Our AOS-USA President, Capt. George McShea, and Board Member, Capt. Will Watson, represented AOS-USA at a special Mass held by AOS/USCCB at the Bishop's Conference on Friday, and at a special Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception over the weekend.  It was an honor to be part of these special celebrations!



Here in Port Arthur, we celebrated it a couple of days early during the Annual Maritime Memorial Celebration on Friday. That story is below, along with the Presidential Proclamation.



Read on!



Doreen M. Badeaux

Secretary General 
 


Presidential Proclamation:

National Maritime Day, 2016  
 
Press Release: The White House 
Office of the Press Secretary



NATIONAL MARITIME DAY 2016



BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



A PROCLAMATION 
 
Since America's founding, proud mariners have selflessly dedicated themselves to protecting and advancing our interests -- here at home and around the world. The patriots of the United States Merchant Marine have long served as our Nation's "fourth arm of defense," safeguarding the ideals that have guided our country for more than two centuries. They facilitate the transport and trade of American goods, and they put their lives on the line in times of war. On National Maritime Day, we honor our Merchant Mariners and celebrate their irreplaceable role in shaping our Nation's narrative.



Whether in still or raging waters, Merchant Mariners are fundamental to guaranteeing the delivery of essential goods to far-reaching corners of our globe. These seafarers have bravely faced threats at home and abroad -- including combatants and pirates, disease outbreaks and natural disasters -- and they consistently heed the call to serve their fellow Americans. In World War II, their ships carried troops and much-needed support to the battlefield, thousands making the ultimate sacrifice. They were among the first to see battle, and many were among the last to return home to our shores.



Carrying forward a legacy that spans generations, the United States Merchant Marine is vital to our Nation's economic security as well. Their transportation of vital cargo has impacts far beyond America's borders, generating trillions of dollars of economic activity each year. And when our entrepreneurs decide to embark on new ventures across oceans, mariners stand by and protect their pursuit of the American dream through tireless work to cultivate safe and open waterways. On this day, and every day, let us express our sincere gratitude to these courageous men and women for all they do for our Nation, and let us reaffirm our commitment to support them as they continue to uphold their proud tradition of service.



The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated May 22 of each year as "National Maritime Day," and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance.



NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2016, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people of the United States to mark this observance and to display the flag of the United States at their homes and in their communities. I also request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on this day.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
 
BARACK OBAMA
 


Annual Maritime Memorial Reconnects Families of the Texaco Oklahoma   
Capt. Larry Larue, who was Captain of the S/S Gulfstag which blew up and sank 50 years ago this year, speaks to the families of those lost on the TX OK assuring them that their lost loved ones, loved them dearly, above anyone or anything else. He said that the one thing all seafarers have in common, is that they all have families that they love, and who love them.
 
Dear Friends,
 

Today, is National Maritime Day, and we want to take this day to say a very special "Thank you" to everyone for coming out on Friday, and celebrating National Maritime Day with us.   


This year, we commemorated the 45th Anniversary of the sinking of the TEXACO OKLAHOMA, which was home-ported in Port Arthur.  When she was lost, 31 seafarers perished. Most of them lived in Port Arthur. Of the 13 original survivors, we were honored to have 2 of them present, Mr. Willie Jacquet, and Mr. Clyde Michael Bandy.

Front Row far left, Mr Rick Koenig. Third from left, Mr. Willie Jacquet, survivor. Behind Mr. Jacquet is Lois Koenig. Rick and Lois lost their Dad, Joseph Koenig onboard. 
 

We were equally honored to have with us, some of the family members of those who were lost onboard. Mr. Dennis Pierce, lost his Dad Arnold Pierce onboard when he was only 8 years old.  This year, he and his family made a special road trip from Michigan in order to participate in the event, for the first time.



For the first time, he met some of the survivors, and when he met Mike Bandy, Mike's first words to him were..."You look like your Dad. Although you're alot taller!" He then went on to tell Dennis, "You're Dad was my Oiler onboard, we worked the same shift together."



Can you imagine finally having the opportunity to meet people who knew a loved one that was lost so many  years before, and being able to learn more about what happened on that fateful night?

Mr. Kevin Sykes of the Seafarers' International Union (which merged with the National Maritime Union a few years ago), recounts the loss of the TX OK, the Gulfstag, and the El Faro. 


Dennis then met Rick Koenig and Lois (Koenig) Frazee, who also lost their Dad onboard, at the ages of 18 and 16.  As children of those lost onboard, they will forever share a unique bond, though they just met.



Rick, knowing that Dennis was coming f
or the first time, was kind enough to bring pictures of the ship and of his own Dad, as well as a special
Texaco history book, to share with Dennis.

Dennis and Angela Pierce watch as the wreath is laid in honor of Mr. Arnold Pierce, and all those lost onboard the TEXACO OKLAHOMA.  
 
 
Far Right: Mike Bandy tips his hat in honor of his lost crewmates, as the wreath is lowered upon the water. 
 

The entire day was special and inspiring. We were blessed to be a part of it, and to be a small part of
connecting people to each other, and to the memory of their loved ones.  As supporters of the Seafarers' Center, you share in making those connections possible.  
 

Special thanks go out to the Port of Port Arthur, the Sabine Pilots, US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, Apostleship of the Sea - Diocese of Beaumont, the Port Arthur News, and our own hard working Staff and Volunteers for making the day so special! 



Doreen M. Badeaux
President   - Board of Directors

Port Arthur International Seafarers' Center



 Brian Hill of the Maritime Administration reads the Presidential Proclamation for National Maritime Day, during the luncheon sponsored by the Port of Port Arthur. 
 
Staff and Volunteers of the Seafarers' Center, working hard behind the scenes to make the day a success! 
 
 

    Star of the Sea Statue

 Join AOS-USA in saying the AOS Prayer each day!

  

Please take the time to say this pray with us each day:
 
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all Seafarers
 

(1 Our Father)

(Hail Mary)

 

Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.

St. Peter, pray for us.

St. Andrew, pray for us.

Lord save us, or we perish!

Important Upcoming Events for

AOS-USA Members
 



National Celebration of National Maritime Day


May 23, 2016


10:00 AM - Noon


US Department of Transportation


Washington, DC
 


Sea Sunday


July 10, 2016


 

May God Bless you with Smooth Sailing throughout your day!

Contact Info

Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America
1500 Jefferson Drive
Port Arthur, TX  77642-0646
PH:  409-985-4545
FAX:  409-985-5945


Apostleship of the Sea of the U.S.A. | 1500 Jefferson Drive | Port Arthur | TX | 77642