Apostleship of the Sea port chaplains and ship visitors are increasing their efforts to support the lives of seafarers at Easter with practical help and also at this time the chance to celebrate their faith at the height of the liturgical year.
The port chaplains and volunteers of the Apostleship of the Sea up and down Great Britain are aware that for seafarers any festive period is much like any other working day – the only difference being that their separation from family and friends and from their faith can be even more difficult to bear than usual.
Over Easter the Apostleship of the Sea will be actively visiting merchant ships and providing seafarers with a chance to celebrate their faith, attend the Easter liturgies in a local parish if they wish, providing faith resources and prayer cards and also some Easter cheer in the form of Easter Eggs generously donated by the local community.
In recent weeks Apostleship of the Sea port chaplains have been supporting Ukrainian and Russian seafarers as the crisis in Ukraine shows no signs of easing. They have been offering practical help including providing internet connection for crew to contact their families back home.
Many are anxious about the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones, more so when they are away at sea during Easter.