Prayer Requests:
For all seafarers who are just starting their careers, especially those who are struggling to find work in the current economic climate.
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.
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Join AOS USA Today!
To join AOS USA simply click on the following link:
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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)
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Feast of St. Andrew, Patron Saint of Fishermen
| "The Calling of St Peter and St Andrew", by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Dated: 1481 (Courtesy Vatican Museums) |
Today, November 30th is the Feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was the first apostle called by Jesus Christ while he and his brother Peter were fishing. He, and Peter are the primary patron saints for fishermen. Here in the United States, the fishing industry has become highly regulated, and a great deal is being done to protect the environment. Most of our fishermen recognize that protecting the waters and it's life, will help sustain them in their jobs, and future jobs. However, many are facing hardships at this time. This article and video from Full Measure with Sharyl Attkison explains some of the difficulties our Fishermen along the Gulf Coast are experiencing. Let us take this day to educate ourselves on the issues facing our fishermen, and think of concrete ways that we can help them. A very simple way to help is by buying fresh wild-caught seafood from your local fishermen! It's fresh, tasty... and it helps your neighbor! And finally, let us keep all fishermen in prayer. May God give them abundant harvests to sustain themselves, their families and their communities. And may they recognize the great responsibility they have to be stewards of God's Ocean, and the life within it. St Andrew, pray for us! Doreen M. Badeaux Secretary General
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Apostleship of the Sea: How to Safeguard Workers Rights
Courtesy: Vatican Radio The Apostleship of the Sea (AoS), the organisation which oversees the spiritual and pastoral care of those working at sea held a two day conference at Cape Town, South Africa, from 22-23rd November this year. Representatives from different countries within the Indian Ocean region of the organisation took part in the conference which comes ahead of a global congress on the fishing industry, expected for 2017.
"We are looking at highlighting the presence of the AoS at the congress next year, especially looking at how best to safeguard the rights of the fishermen in any agreement," explained Fr Jacques-Henri David, who is the Indian Ocean Regional Coordinator for the Apostleship of the See.
"We must also make people aware of the risks of violence and exploitation of these workers," he said.
Fr Jacques-Henri went on to explain that much of the organisation's work takes place whilst ships are in port, with particular attention being given to visiting fishermen who might be in hospital or even prison. He noted that the AoS is often the first point of communication between fishermen, port authorities and families, adding that this work is "essential."
Also attending the conference was Archbishop Jabulani Adatus Nxumalo, the Archbishop of Bloemfontein and AoS representative for South Africa. Looking ahead to the Global Conference on the fishing industry Archbishop Jabulani spoke of his hopes for greater cooperation with governments and the industry.
"We're hoping for greater agreements between governments and those in the industry who decide upon the contracts for the fishermen. We want to speak with organisations that represent the fishermen to see if the working conditions can be improved."
The realities of the industry were also amongst the topics the Archbishop hoped to raise at the AoS conference, hoping that those at the top of the industry would give more recognition to the dignity of this type of work. "Structures and laws must be put in place to safeguard the workers," the Archbishop concluded.
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Our Lady Star of the Sea: Prints Available!
Courtesy: World Library Publications
In our October 6th E-News, we featured an image of our patroness - Our Lady, Star of the Sea (copyright � 2004, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission). This beautiful painting was created by Brother Michael O'Neill McGrath, OSFS, and was first published in the book Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen. The book as well as a poster and packs of notecards with this image, are available from World Library Publications, www.wlpmusic.com , 800-566-6150.
Hpyerlinks are included so that you can quickly access more information about the artist, and quickly find how to purchase the book, posters and notecards. We hope you will find this image as beautiful and inspiring as we did. And now you know how to purchase copies for your Chapel at the Seafarers' Center, etc!
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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!
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Important Upcoming Events for AOS-USA Members
World Fisheries Day November 21, 2016 Houston Maritime Ministry Training Program @ Houston International Seafarers' Center February 12 - 24, 2017
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