July 2008 marks a special month for Australia in hosting the World Youth Day in Sydney. WYD is a gathering of Catholic young people from around the world. Pilgrims from all over the world flock to Australia to attend this rather significant event in the Catholic Church. Some of those fortunate enough to come were from East Timor. Bishop Hilton Deacon of Melbourne coordinated to bring the Timorese youth to visit Melbourne before the groups’ pilgrimage continued on to Sydney. On Sunday (13/07/08) Bishop Hilton led the group to attend to an invitation from Stella Maris Melbourne. The people at Stella Maris made the pilgrims feel very welcome. The evening started with a Mass which was followed by a meal courtesy of Stella Maris. Showing gratitude to our hospitality, the pilgrims entertained visiting seafarers as well as volunteers and staff with some very inspiring songs – Timorese style. The enthusiastic pilgrims were accompanied by Rev. Gelasio and Bishop DaSilva of Deli. It was a mutually enriching evening for everyone. Thanks to the Stella Maris Community who grasped the opportunity to showcase some attributes of hospitality to our pilgrims.

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Eight members of the Melbourne Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre were rather fortunate enough to obtain tickets to be part of a 45, 000 Catholics who crowed into the Melbourne Telstra Dome for the Commissioning Mass. Most of those who attended the Mass were pilgrims who visited Melbourne owing to a billeting program coordinated through the parishes and schools of the Archdiocese of Melbourne to accommodate visiting pilgrims before their journey continued to Sydney. Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, presided over the grand Mass. His homily which carried a clear message of ‘commissioning’ of the youth of the Church with hope was based on the Gospel according to Mathew [Mt 13:1-23] where the Word of God was signified as ‘seed’ which contains the potentials of life and growth. The phrase: ‘The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever’ reverberated over an enclosed dome. Pre-Mass events, including songs of worship and a welcome ceremony performed by the local indigenous landowners added to a real spirit, not only of welcome and celebration but also one of faith and hope.

Today the Stella Maris had a suprise visit from the Archbishop of Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea. The Archbishop was in Melbourne to preside over the Deaconnate ordination of 3 Divine Word Missionaries in Box Hill, Melbourne.

Our Lay Chaplain, John Kewa, is one of Bishop Douglas Young's parishoners and his family has been known by the Bishop for a long time. Bishop Douglas called in to the Stella Maris for a friendly visit and to catch up with some local news from John.

Bishop Douglas has been serving as a Missionary for over 30 years in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

A suprise visit for the Stella Maris Centre when Tony McAvoy and his wife Lyn arrived on their doorstep. Tony is the Lay Port Chaplain at the Port of Tees & Hartlepool. He is also the Regional Co-ordinator of North East England.
Tony and Lyn are enjoying a two week holiday in Australia, first time for his wife in Australia. They had a thoroughly enjoyable trip along the Great Ocean Road and were hoping to get in a few more sights before heading back for England. Their daughter has also been in Melbourne for 6 months, studying here and hoping to be able to stay longer.
Rom took both of them for a tour of the Melbourne port area, outlining the shipping procedures used here and how the Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre in Melbourne has been of benefit to the numerous seafarers who use it.

The Thanksgiving Mass was well attended by members, volunteers, family and friends. In his homily, Fr Edwards pointed out how important it was to be thankful not only to God, but also for the blessing we receive in many different forms and shapes from individuals who have selflessly offered their time, skills and resources to help in the Ministry at Stella Maris.
Paul Bonnici led the choir with some brilliant music amd other people participated at different parts of the liturgy. The mood was really one of joy, friendship and gratitude. Many thanks to Christina who did a marvellous job with the flower arrangements.
Badges were also presented to Lo Van Nguyen, Marie Carabott & John Griffin for achieving their first full year as a volunteer at Stella Maris. Scott, our Ship Liaison Officer, also was awarded a badge for his services.

See Photos of Thanksgiving Ceremony 2007 & Badge Ceremony here

Thanks to all of those members and seafarers who turned up to the Stella Maris Centre over the Easter Holidays. As well as the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Easter Saturday, 3 of our members received a badge commemorating their time and efforts given in helping the Seafarers who visit our Centre.

See Photos of Easter 2007 & Badge Ceremony here

An informal meeting was held on the 28th March involving John Kewa, our Lay Chaplain, Scott Cook, our Ship Liaison Officer and Reverend Father Igor Filianovsky of the Russian Orthodox Church in Parkville, Melbourne. Fr Igor expressed his interest in assisting the Stella Maris with visiting vessels crewed by both Russian and Ukrainian seafarers. We will be meeting with Fr Igor again in the near future to work on other ideas that our two organisations can do to help each other.

Russian Orthodox Church in Melbourne