Ministry again making plans to lift seafarers during Christmas

By DEACON JOHN ARCHER
For The Catholic Week
The Catholic Maritime Ministry has remained very busy this year visiting ships, transporting crews, providing internet connections and most importantly, providing onboard Mass and transportation to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
The ministry will begin to plan for the Christmas season. In 2022, the ministry provided gift bags to almost 500 seafarers on 25 different vessels. 
We are thankful to have all who have supported us in the past and those who help during the year donating handmade crosses and Rosaries as well as those who collected magazines and devotionals for use in ship welcome bags. 
This November watch for the Christmas collection in your local parish in Mobile and Baldwin counties. 
If your parish is not involved or if you would be willing to be a parish coordinator, contact Deacon John Archer at [email protected] or call 925-548-5388.
May Mary Star of the Sea (Stella Maris) guide you and all our seafarers to a safe port in her Son.