People of the Sea
Caring for passengers and crew
The AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest Program puts priests onboard to minister to passengers and crew.
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Doreen Badeaux is the Secretary General of AOS USA. A former teacher of children with special educational needs and volunteer port pastoral worker, Doreen now takes care of administration for AOS USA. From her office in Port Arthur, Texas, she runs the Cruise Ship Priest Program which supplies appropriately trained and accreditated priests to the cruise industry.
Cruise ship priests are available to say Mass, to listen, to talk and to offer spiritual guidance when asked. The many demands on their time and attention mean that, for a working priest, a cruise is anything but a holiday. This small selection of messages from Doreen's inbox illustrates what an important role a cruise ship chaplain can play, especially in times of tragedy.
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May 2008
Dear Doreen
I would like to share with you an uplifting experience I had on a Panama Canal Cruise last March 2007.
A couple came to the first Saturday evening Mass of the cruise. The wife was in a wheelchair. In the middle of the Mass both of them suddenly left. The following day the husband explained to me that his wife had terminal cancer and had got sick in during Mass. Her family had arranged the cruise as their farewell gift to her. The husband also told me that they were in fact divorced but neither had remarried. When he learned of his wife's terminal cancer, he decided to move in with her to take care of her. That way, she would not have to be in hospital or a nursing home when the end comes.
I told them that whenever she was unable to go to the daily Mass, I would bring Communion to her in their cabin. I would call first to make sure she was able to receive it. I did this for the duration of the cruise. I also heard her Confession and anointed her with the Sacament of the Sick. The couple was so appreciative that she was able to receive the sacraments.
For me, it was a spiritually uplifting exprerience. Ministering to the sick onboard this ship added a positive dimension to being a cruise ship chaplain. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to experience this ministerial dimension of my priesthood.
Fr Vincente F Jazmines
AOS cruise ship priest
USA
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November 2007
Dear Doreen
Thank you and the Apostleship so much for enabling me to experience the cruise as a chaplain. Let me share just few memories. For the entire cruise I have experienced exceptional kindness and gratefulness from the Crew Members and the Passengers. All of them were very happy to have a priest onboard. On the second night of the cruise, at two o'clock in the morning, one passenger passed away in her stateroom. I was immediatelly called to come and to annoint her with the Holy Oil. I did. Later I was told by her husband she had a devotion to the Merciful Jesus. Jesus did not abandon her even on the High Seas! This alone made it worth being there to serve.
My second great experience was when, after the Mass for the Crew, I realized that they pray together every single day also for the priests! I had really no idea before how much I owe to the People of the Seas. We priests should pray for them every day!
The cruise aboard Century became great enrichment for me. I hope I was of the same help to people on the ship.
Thank you again for the GREAT WORK you do.
Fr. Marian Polchlopek
AOS USA Cruise Ship Priest
Krakow, Poland
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December 2007
Rome
Doreen
I'm presently acting as cruise ship priest on Celebrity ship Galaxy. Very sadly one of the crew members has died. His name was Romeo Biasas. Romeo was taken from the ship last week in Instanbul and sadly died there.
The ship arranged for me to put together and conduct a special
Interfaith Service for the crew who were grieving for the death of a fellow member. It was one of those times when a chaplain was really needed for his ability to construct a suitable service and to lead it.
I ask the prayers of the AOS for Romeo, for his wife and four children in the Philippines, and for the crew grieving over his death.
Best wishes
Fr. Peter Conroy
AOS Cruise Ship Priest
Frankston, Victoria, Australia