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ABOUT THE STELLA MARIS
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Interested in knowing more about the Stella Maris?
Read below to find out.
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HISTORY OF THE STELLA MARIS
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Melbourne's Stella Maris Seafarers Centre is one of 385 such centres around the world. Each has a charter from Rome to be led by a chaplain. These centres are the Catholic Church's official misionary work in its care of seafarers. This forms part of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant people.
The importance of this work is most clearly enunciated by Pope John Paul ||'s 1977 Motu proprio - On the Apostleship of the Sea.
"The Church has responsibility, pastoral and missionary, towards maritime people and maritime people in their turn have much to contribute to the Church"
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THE BADGE OF THE STELLA MARIS
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The badge of the Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre features the Sacred Heart of Jesus, symbol of the divine love, in the centre radiating warmth to a life buoy - a symbol of being saved. In the background is an anchor - an ancient Christian symbol of hope.
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ST VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY
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St Vincent de Paul Society records of 1889 tell of members visiting ships in the Port of Melbourne. Six years later the President of the Society urged that conferences be established at Port Melbourne & Williamstown to look after Seafarers.
The St Vincent de Paul Society celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1931. Archbishop Mannix asked that they mark the occasion by establishing a seaman's institute. This was accomplished in 1932 with the blessing and opening of premises at 546 Flinders Street, Melbourne.
Women became involved in 1934 when a number of ladies from the Central Telephone Exchange formed a group to help entertain seafarers. Soon they became known as the Stella Maris Ladies Auxillary.
In 1946, Mr Les Royal carried on the care of visiting seafarers to Melbourne almost single handedly. He arranged dances at Unity Hall and parties in his own home.
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STELLA MARIS IN MELBOURNE
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Father Kevin Quinlan was appointed the first full-time chaplain in 1960. He established the International Apostleship of the Sea in Melbourne. The present Stella Maris building was blessed and opened in 1973. Cardinal Knox generously gifted the land on which the building stands.
Father Michael Richardson began a 23-year association with Stella Maris in 1974 when he was appointed assistant to Father Kevin Quinlan who retired the following year.
Miss Dale Holland became manager on the Stella Maris in 1975. In 1997 a committee of management was appointed to oversee the running of Stella Maris.
There have been many part-time chaplains and thousands of volunteers who have cared for seafarers with a generous heart - in the spirit and tradition of Stella Maris.
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BECOME A VOLUNTEER
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Volunteers are a very important part of our organisation, without them we could not function. The Stella Maris is always looking for new volunteers to assist with its services to seafarers..
The centre at 600 Lt Collins St. Melbourne opens from 10am until 11pm every day. There are many ways volunteers can hellp throughout the day or in the evening. Bus driving, serving at the till, or even just socialising with the seafarers are all tasks where we need volunteers to assist us.
Donations and bequests are also a way in which you can help the Stella Maris to continue its important work. Please phone the manager, Rom Kucera on 9629 7494 or email Rom at rom@smcit.com to enquire about ways you can become involved in the important missionary work of the Church.
"I was a stranger .... you made Me welcome"
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