New services in Goa

Fitness centre and counselling services for seafarers and their families

AOS India is delighted to announce the inauguration of the Next Voyage Fitness Centre and Stella Maris Counselling Services in Goa. The new facilities have been established for local seafarers and their families. Fr Xavier Pinto, national director of AOS India, said

Seafarers' wives and children are part of our vast seafaring family nurtured pastorally as people on the move.

Next Voyage Fitness Centre

The Next Voyage Fitness Centre is located in the compound of the Redemptorist Fathers in Goa. It is intended for seafarers who may be resting at home before their next voyage, hence the name. Although they should enjoy relaxing with their families, as Fr Xavier says, they need to keep fit because a fit ship requires fit seafarers. The centre will be managed by health and fitness experts. Priority will be given to seafarers and their families but the centre will also be open to the public.

The Next Voyage Fitness Centre

The Next Voyage Fitness Centre has been established by the Apostleship of the Sea with the invaluable help of donors, friends and supporters.

Stella Maris Counselling Services

Stella Maris Counselling Services are offered exclusively to seafarers and their families in Goa. Services are organised by various parishes and institutions with the main centres at the Family Service Centre and Laity Centre of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Seafarers and their families seeking help will be directed to appropriate parishes where they will receive assistance. Those already participating include:

• St Jerome's Church, Mapuca, North Goa
• St Francis Xavier's Church, Murmagao, Port of Goa
• St Mary's Church, Chinchinim, South Goa, where there is a special Mass on the last Tuesday of every month for seafarers and their families.

It is hoped that other points will be added in the future to serve the many seafarers and their families in the Santo Estevam area.

Inauguration

At the beginning of March 2008, Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao of Goa presided at a special ceremony to bless and dedicate the Next Voyage Fitness Centre and Stella Maris Counselling Services. In his speech, the Archbishop said that fitness should be used in the service of the community. In today's stressful world, it is vital to be available to those who need counselling, to sit with them and to help them.

The Archbishop and Fr Pinto lighting the lamp

Also present at the ceremony were the Chancellor of the Archdiocese Fr Nelson Sequeira; port chaplain of Mogmugao Harbour Fr William Moniz s.a.c.; the teams of chaplains and counsellors of Goa; many Redemptorists and members of other religious orders; and volunteers, friends and supporters of AOS in Goa. A message from Cardinal Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People was read. Greetings were received from AOS in Poland, Barcelona, Australia and New Zealand.

Left to right: Fr William Monis, port chaplain in Goa, Archbishop Neri Ferrao, Fr Xavier Pinto

The Next Voyage Fitness Centre and Stella Maris Counselling Services are available from 1 April 2008. For further information, please contact Fr Xavier