STELLA MARIS SEAFARERS’ CENTER – CEBU FOUNDATION, INC.

Is a non-profit apostolic work of the Catholic Church offering hospitality and pastoral welfare and care to the People of the Sea.

The Apostleship of the Sea – Cebu is a ministry of the Archdiocese of Cebu that provides pastoral care and service to the People of the Sea-the seafarers, families of seafarers, fishers and their families, maritime students, porters and port personnel.

Our Lady Star of the Sea is the patron of the Stella Maris Seafarers Center – Cebu. The Apostleship of the Sea has for many years now, been commemorating the Feast of Stella Maris, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, with Mass each year in September for seafarers. It is a day to pray for all seafarers and give thanks for their contribution to global trade. In Cebu, the feast takes place every last Sunday of September along with the celebration of the National Seafarers’ Day.

It is under the Directory for promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican

It is under the Directory for promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican

It is under the Directory for promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican

The elements within the symbol characterize Stella Maris’ mission.

The anchor symbolizes HOPE: when the anchor is dropped at sea, it holds fast to keep the ship and crew safe – just as we hold fast to our hope in God to keep us safe.

The Lifesaver symbolizes FAITH: when a seafarer falls into the sea. they put their trust in the lifesaver to save them – just as we put our faith in God for eternal salvation.

The heart symbolizes CHARITY: the heart of Christ is full of love for all – our charitable works are animated by the love of Christ.

The rays of light symbolize the LIGHT OF CHRIST: the light emanates from the Heart o Christ (the heart), shines towards our faith (the lifesaver) and is rooted in Hope (the anchor).

And finally, the WAVES OF THE SEA mark the environment for our mission – source of livelihood for seafarers, but also a reminder of danger and death. Accepting and believing in Faith, Hope and Charity leads to seafarers and their families to the safe harbor of heaven.

We are envisioning to become a pastoral maritime center in Cebu with multi-sectoral involvment and commitment offering holistic  formation and supportive networks for the solid empowerment, development, guidance and assistance of present and future seafarers, their familliesand the rest of the maritime world within and beyond the visayas.

• To offer welcome and friendship to all.
• To uphold the dignity and the rights of all within the maritime community.
• To provide a global maritime network of information, communication, dialogue and service.
• To assist Maritime students, seafarers and families for human development and spiritual formation.
• To undertake special projects which seek to promote the welfare.

• Ship Visitation.
• Hospital Visitation.
• Home Visitation.
• Counselling.
• Psycho-Spiritual Interventions.
• Legal Referrals and Information.
• Retreats and Recollections.
• Liturgical Activities on Board.

• Humanitarian Relief Operations.
• Values Enrichment Seminars.
• Linkages and Partnerships with Gov’t
• and Non-gov’t organizations.
• Financial literacy programs.
• Social entrepreneurship.
• Stella Maris Campus Ministry in Maritime Schools
• Organizing SEAFARERS’/FISHERS FAMILY NETWORKS in Parishes/Communties