Padre’s Hour – Spotlight on Stella Maris

Stella Maris

Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting network in the world and the official Maritime charity of the Catholic Church, which supports Seafarers, Fishers, and their families.  Seafarers are often away from their families and communities for months at a time, and life at sea can be difficult.  They can often suffer from loneliness, depression, spiritual deprivation and even exploitation, but Stella Maris aims to provide a ‘friend in every port’ for seafarers and fishers.  This 100-year-old charity extends friendship and welcome from chaplains and volunteers and visits hundreds of thousands of seafarers and fishers every year to provide help and support in many ways, be it ensuring that their rights are upheld, or simply being a listening ear or someone to chat to.  They organise mass onboard ships and also provide practical help such as organising Wi-Fi onboard so seafarers can call home.  The Mission statement of Stella Maris is: ‘Our mission is to support seafarers and fishers spiritually, practically, and emotionally. Our Catholic faith is at the heart of Stella Maris, it inspires, enlivens, and motivates our work, and is expressed through a loving care of the people of the sea of all faiths and none’.  For more information please visit stellamaris.org.uk

Padre’s Hour – Padre’s Hour is Broadcast Mondays at 11:00, Tuesdays at 21:00, Wednesday at 09:00, Fridays at 02:00 and Saturdays at 17:00.

Prayers for the Seafarers – Chaplain Julian Wong has a weekly show on Thursdays at 12:30pm in which he gives reflections – “Prayers for the Seafarers”.  It is then rebroadcast Fridays at 12:30am.

Radio Maria England will be broadcasting the Sea Sunday Mass on December 20 at 12:00 from the Cathedral of Saint John in Portsmouth presided over by Right Rev. Bishop Philip Egan.