Welcome to our organization

The Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre in Melbourne is one of 353 centres worldwide providing pastoral care, services and support for seafaring people.

Stella Maris centres are part of the Catholic Church's official missionary work in its care of seafarers. These centres are a key component of the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS), an agency which is operated globally under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant People in Rome.

The Apostleship of the Sea acts for the Church among the People of the Sea, ever dutiful in the service of hospitality:

"I was a stranger and you made Me welcome" Mt 25:25

Photos of 2011: Mass held onboard the M/V IVS Knot

Latest news

AoS Chaplains assist in the Costa Concordia disaster: AoS UK reports on the efforts of AoS Chaplains from Italy who are directly involved in the rescue and relief work. Read more here...

A working Alliance: Stella Maris and the Mission to Seafarers take steps to work better together in the Port of Melbourne. Read on more...

As reported by the Catholic News Service, Pope Benedict XVI recently met with the families of piracy victims, marking a special World Maritime Day in Italy. See related footage here

May & June 2011: Fr Tony Cox (St Columbans Mission) headlines the news with his work at Stella Maris