100 days to go - new film launches Sea Sunday 2018 charity appeal

Catholic seafarers' charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has produced a seven-minute video as the countdown to this year's Sea Sunday on July 8 begins. Friday, March 30, marks 100 days to when thousands of churches around the world will remember and pray for seafarers, their families and those who provide pastoral and practical support to them.

The video shows how the Church, through AoS, cares for and supports seafarers who transport up to 95% of world trade. It follows a typical day in the life of Anne McLaren, AoS port chaplain in Hull & Goole, as she visits seafarers on board their ships offering a warm welcome and a helping hand with anything they need to make their short stay in port as comfortable as possible.

Being out at sea can be a lonely and dangerous job, with seafarers spending several months away from loved ones. AoS helps by being there for all seafarers - amongst other things providing information, offering ways to contact family and friends via the internet and providing spiritual support.

AoS Development Director, John Green, says, "On Sea Sunday churches around the UK take up a second collection with all funds raised going to the Apostleship of the Sea to support our work. It is a day of remembrance, prayer and celebration, and an opportunity to think about and thank those seafarers who work tirelessly throughout the year bringing us goods we often take for granted."

A sneak preview of the video can be watched on the AoS' You Tube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYCOa0lpNLI

The full-length video will be out soon and churches are encouraged to share the video link on their parish newsletters and websites in the run up to Sea Sunday.

Copies of the video will also be available on DVD. Contact the AoS head office to get a free copy.

Read more about the Apostleship of the Sea on their website: www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk