AoS chaplains bring Christmas cheer

For seafarers arriving at the ports of Durban and Cape Town this Christmas, it can be a lonely time, hundreds or thousands of miles from their families.
              For many, the sight of a port chaplain from the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) coming on board will be a welcome one. 
              Before Christmas and on Christmas Day, AoS port chaplains will visit many seafarers who crew the ships taking gifts containing warm clothing, toiletries and treats for the seafarers. 
              The gifts and clothing are often given by the members of the local community and churches. 
              Fr Herman Giraldo, AoS port chaplain in Durban, will distribute the gifts to seafarers in port on December 22nd and at the outer anchorage on December 23rd. 
          
Fr Pablo with seafarers and their Christmas gift bags

              “This is our way of making sure that seafarers are not forgotten, especially during this time of the year. Many of us will spend Christmas with our families and friends, but seafarers will be working either out at sea or in ports,” he said. 
              In Cape Town, AoS port chaplain Fr Gerardo Garcia and Fr Pablo Velasques will celebrate Mass on Christmas Eve for seafarers.
              For many of the seafarers it will be their only chance to attend Mass during the Christmas period. Christmas will be a busy time for the port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors of the AoS who will try and let seafarers know they are not forgotten and greatly appreciated for the sacrifices they make throughout the year.

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