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Prayer Requests:
For the repose of the Soul of Joseph Patronella, long time volunteer at the Port Arthur International Seafarers' Center, and AOS Diocese of Beaumont. Our prayers go out in a special way to his wife of 62 years, Mrs. Rose Patronella.
For the repose of the Soul of Fr. Paul Devine, AOS - Oakland, and for prayers of comfort for his family and friends, and his colleagues with AOS Oakland. We also ask prayers of Thanksgiving for Fr Devine's work for the People of the Sea over the years.
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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Invitation to AOS-USA Annual Conference
Dear Friends,
We wish to invite you to attend the AOS-USA Annual Conference which will be held on April 18 - 20, 2017 at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.
This is an opportunity for Port Chaplains, Mariners, Cruise Ship Priests, and those who support the ministry to gather to network, seek continuing education, and share ideas and best practices. Most importantly it is an opportunity to build up the ministry and your role in it.
We hope you will join us!
For more information, please visit our Event Site at:
AOS-USA Annual Conference Event Site
Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
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Invitation to the XXIV AOS World Congress from AOS Vatican
Dicasterium Ad Integram Humanam Progressionem Fovendam
From the Vatican, 18th January 2017
Prot. N. DSSUI-MI/0003/2017 Re: XXIV World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea The new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which continues the activities of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, is organising the XXIV World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea in Kaohsiung Taiwan , from 1st to 7th October 2017. Conscious that millions of people around the world find a source of income and livelihood in the fisheries and aware of the many problematic issues affecting this sector, and also following a proposal advanced in 2007 during the XXII AOS World Congress in Gdynia - Poland, the Congress will be dedicated to fisheries. During the Congress, we will be informed by qualified speakers on the challenges that Apostleship of the Sea is facing in the fisheries ministry, we will reflect on the responses that the maritime apostolate could provide to the fishers and their families and finally we will strengthen our commitment to be the voice of the voiceless. The World Congress is an important moment in the life of the Apostleship of the Sea. I invite you to save the date. In the near future, additional information will be sent regarding the theme and the instructions for your participation. Sincerely Yours, Cardinal Peter KA. Turkson. Prefect
Click here to view the invitation:
AOS Congress Announcement 2017
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Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting Hits Close to Home
Dear Friends, AOS-USA was blessed that none of our people were hurt by the recent shooting at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, though several of our people were there, or nearby. This includes our Board Members Capt. Will Watson, Capt. Jerry Pannell and his co workers at the AMO STAR CENTER, and our friends at Seafarers House. Msgr Joseph Kelly missed the shooting in Fort Lauderdale by 20 minutes. He had just gotten on the hotel shuttle. The EURODAM did not leave Fort Lauderdale until 9 that night, in order to accomodate people affected by late flights, etc. We asked our priests to keep him in prayer, as it was his first time to serve onboard, and would likely have a job to help calm and support passengers and crew who were unnerved by the events. Holland America followed up by contacting every passenger, crew, enrichment personnel, etc that may have possibly been going through the airport at that time, which is an amazing feat. Here's an update from Fr James B Johnson who was on the Holland America Line NIEUW AMSTERDAM, which left Fort Lauderdale the day of the airport shooting.
I just returned today on the Nieuw Amsterdam out of Ft. Lauderdale. We left port the day of the airport shooting. The cruise port was shut down along with the airport. Fortunately most of the passengers had boarded before the tragedy at the airport. Some of our passengers however were stuck at the airport for hours. The last passengers from the airport arrived on the pier just after 11P.M.
The captain waited for the passengers delayed at the airport. He offered counseling to anyone who felt they needed assistance in dealing with what happened at the airport. I don't know if any of our passengers were among those who were victims. It was a tense situation.
The airport could be seen from the ship. We could see many emergency vehicles and the only thing flying was a police helicopter that kept circling. There was a heavy police presence around the ship both on the pier and on the water. I offered Mass for the victims and their families. We knew it could have been any of us.
This event illustrates the real value of ministry to the cruise line passengers. I have found the passengers and crew so appreciative of having priests on board. Thank you for your ministry to the People of the Sea.
AOS-USA wishes to salute all of our Port Chaplains and Cruise Ship Priests who rise to the occasion during times when they themselves are nerve wracked by the events of the day, and yet place the needs of others before them.
We also salute all of the mariners, staff and crew onboard, who likewise must continue "doing their job" during tense days, helping passengers and fellow crew cope with difficult situations.
In all these situations, our constant prayer is the 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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I wanted to email you upon the completion of my cruise from Oct 28 to Nov 4 (Barcelona, Sardinia, Sicily, Italy, Montecarlo) which was a sudden trip due to the late opening. All went very well. Mass attendance was high especially for Saturday and Sunday evenings when they had to open up an adjoining room to accommodate the crowds.
I spoke with the activities coordinator to whom I report, both at the beginning and at the end. He was quite friendly and spoke very well of the early returns of very favorable evaluations of the passengers toward the celebrations of Mass and my availability on ship. I was quite pleased with it all.
Even the airfare connections to and from went smooth at the last minute. I remember not hearing from you until the night before I actually flew to Barcelona.
Again, thank you for making the connections!
Fr Mark Juettner
AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest
Long Lake, MN
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I had a very interesting cruise with some very devoted Catholics onboard for 16 days.
My Masses were very popular with even some Protestants, among them.
Two reverend Baptist Ministers came to celebrate with me for the interfaith service.
À senior citizen diaspora group of Indonesia canceled my own reservation in Sydney to keep me with them for 2 days visiting the city!
People were very appreciative for my services. Even a priest, Fr. Pat from New Jersey, expressed happiness and was willing to help me with communion.
It is one of my best experiences onboard!
Peace and love
Fr. Jean Ridly Julien
AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest
Stamford, CT
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I am back from the Royal Caribbean International, Quantum of the Seas cruise. I t was a very tiresome journey to and back from the cruise.
All the trouble and tiredness was worth while because there were more than 200 people for the Christmas Midnight Mass, most of them crew members from the Philippines and India. I had taken some carols with me and as the recordings played on the P.A. System the people joined in.
For the rest of the days I had a dozen for the daily Mass. The program director and the technicians were very helpful. RCI also provided me with a comfortable room.
I wish you a very happy New Year and thank you for the wonderful work you do.
Fr. Michael Tauro AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest Karnataka, INDIA
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On December 17 to Dec. 31st I did a back to back cruise on the Holland America Line WESTERDAM to the Mexican Riviera. It was all exciting and wonderful.
The first week was crowded with children, teenagers and college kids with their families. A lot of action all around. The second week was a little more subdued.
In general I had a lot of people asking for confession and my schedule of Masses was a busy one. Which was great. Christmas Eve. I had a 5 p.m. Mass and then Midnight Mass in the theater. Christmas day I had 8:00a.m. and then 11:00 in the evening for the crew. All had high attendance.
The first week, I did the inter-denomination service also.
Many people took the opportunity to talk about their lives-their joys and their sorrows. Some are still in pain with their losses. One family lost their 17 yr. old son one year ago from a heart problem. Another family lost their 19 yr old son in May --he had taken his life.
Thanks for the opportunity to serve all these people.
Fr. John Angelo Ossino
AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest
Aurora, CO
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I was on the Royal Caribbean International Explorer of the Seas. I enjoyed the cruise very much. I met many crew members who were on the Explorer last year 2015-2016. They gave me a very good welcome and were happy to see me again. The first thing they asked me was if I was going to do a back to back?  I got on board on the 22/12/16 at 11.30am. I met the Activities Manager. At my first dinner that night some of the cruise crew asked me re the Christmas Masses as they were not on the program for the crew yet it was scheduled on the program given to me. They asked if I could do something about it so that all Catholic crew would know about it and attend. I handed a letter to the Activities Manager asking her if she could (1) notify the crew that there would be Mass on Sunday 25th Christmas Day at 11.30pm in the conference centre and (2) that I was there for everybody crew and guests, Catholic and non Catholics and that I was available for any counseling for the guests or crew members if so needed. The crew helped me to set up for Mass and were very happy to have Mass celebrated. - The crew told me that they are on the ship for many months and often no Mass and that they were looking forward to attending Mass;
- They asked if I would consider doing back to back cruises
- They also asked if I could be on board their ship during Holy Week (Easter)
All liturgies were well attended: 1) Catholic Daily Mass about 30 per day and other days about 80; 2) Christmas Midnight Mass over 300 attended and on Christmas Day 150 attended; 3) Interfaith service - Christmas and New Year 50 4) Crew members at the conference centre about 30. Other crew members attended a service with the guests. 5) The midnight Mass and Christmas Mass for Catholics were celebrated in the Palace Theatre. All other liturgies for the guests were held at the Star Lounge. Fr Philip Gambin
AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest
Victoria, Australia
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HMS Global Maritime Appoints Jaenichen as Chief Operating Officer Courtesy: MarineLink
22 January 2017
HMS Global Maritime, owner and operator of the American Queen Steamboat Company as well as 85 other U.S. flagged vessels, welcomes former Maritime Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen, Sr. of the U.S. Department of Transportation as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
After a decorated career with the U.S. Navy and the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Jaenichen joined HMS Global Maritime on January 12, 2017. In his role as COO, Captain Jaenichen will be responsible for ensuring that HMS Global Maritime excels in every facet of transportation, safety and security, and mechanical operations, as well as ensuring that the company continues to produce industry leading financial results while bringing new ideas and ways of doing business that improve satisfaction and team member involvement.
Prior to joining HMS Global Maritime, Captain Jaenichen was appointed by President Obama and served as Maritime Administrator since July 2014. He previously served as both Deputy and Acting Maritime Administrator from 2012 to 2014. Captain Jaenichen was a career naval officer, who retired after 30 years as a nuclear trained Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy. His final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Department of the Navy from 2010 to 2012.
A Kentucky native, Captain Jaenichen earned a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Masters in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. His wife Paula is a National Board Certified teacher and small business owner in Vine Grove, KY.
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Human Rights at Sea launches new Legal Research Programme focused on maritime human rights issues
Press Release: Human Rights at Sea
19 January 2017
Human Rights at Sea today launches its innovative Legal Research Programme as part of the expanding charitable work published through its online maritime human rights platform.
Established earlier this month, the Legal Research programme provides a free public platform for seafarers, fishers and students from around the world to showcase their academic work in tackling maritime human rights issues that are important to the charity, and that are in support of the charity's charitable objectives.
Led by the headline of: "You Choose - You Research - We Publish - We Promote", the charity will highlight the topics and areas to be researched. A topic is chosen by a person who has an interest in that area. They research that topic undertaking legal review, drafting and analysis before submission to the charity. The charity will review the submitted material and if accepted, will publish it through the Legal Research Programme platform for international dissemination and review. The author(s) will be fully credited.
David Hammond, CEO, commented: "The charity continues to heavily invest time and effort in the future development of all 'human rights at sea' subject areas and which it has explicitly pioneered since early 2014. I am further driven to provide every opportunity for professional development to all persons who wish to demonstrate their abilities of legal research, drafting and analysis on the topics that we are seeking to advocate about. Investment in people and the provision of such new opportunities to showcase individual academic effort is key to underpinning our wider charitable work."
The first five research topics are:
1. The Interplay between Human Rights & Labour Rights.
2. Effective remedies for human rights abuses at sea. What are they?
3. Can Flag States be effectively held to account for abuses under their flag administration?
4. Business and Human Rights frameworks in the maritime environment. What works?
5. How do emerging soft-law initiatives affect global maritime policy?
The first submission has been made on the topic of: "Human rights and labour rights: A legal Review of the two sets of rights and the interplay between them".
For further information and to download submitted material:
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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
Houston Maritime Ministry Training Program @ Houston International Seafarers' Center February 12 - 24, 2017
AOS-USA Annual Conference
Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies Linthicum Heights, MD April 18 - 20, 2017
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