Stella Maris appoints new Southern Ports chaplain

Luke Phillips on a ship visit

Source: Stella Maris

Catholic maritime charity Stella Maris UK has appointed Luke Phillips as its Regional Port Chaplain for Southern Ports and Cruise Chaplaincy Coordinator.

Luke will be responsible for providing practical, pastoral, and spiritual support to seafarers in the ports of Southampton, Portsmouth, Shoreham, Fawley, Poole, Portland, Weymouth, Channel Islands, and Isle of Wight. In addition to his port chaplaincy duties, he will also take on national responsibility for coordinating Stella Maris' cruise chaplaincy work, supporting chaplains at sea and helping ensure that Catholic crew members have access to the Sacraments while on board.

"I hope to bring a cheerful face, a listening ear, and a reliable source of support in the southern ports, providing as much help as is needed to seafarers and fishers practically, pastorally and spiritually," says Luke.

"And as cruise chaplain coordinator, I will be building upon the network Stella Maris already has in place to support cruise chaplains at sea so that they can deliver appropriate practical and pastoral care to the crews on board. This is a crucial part of Stella Maris' cruise ministry - not only do we provide pastoral care to the many hundreds of workers on these ships, we also deliver Mass and Sacrament's during Easter and Christmas," he adds.

Luke is an active parishioner of Sacred Heart, Bournemouth (Bournemouth Oratory in Formation). He serves in the sanctuary at Mass and is an active Brother of the Secular Oratory. His faith was a driving factor in his decision to join Stella Maris. His call to chaplaincy became clearer following a visit to the port of Southampton where he met with Deacon Nick O'Neill, Senior Area Port Chaplain for the South of England & Wales, and fellow chaplain, Gregory Hogan, Port Chaplain for Southern Ports.

"After praying for some time, I realised this is the work God has laid out for me and what I must do, where I could best serve seafarers and fishers and the Church."

Before joining Stella Maris, Luke served as a Corporal in the Royal Marines for eight years. In 2009, he started a career in maritime security provision taking on key roles including Maritime Operations Officer, Anti-Piracy Team Leader, Security Manager, and Regional Operations Manager in complex global environments.

One of his job functions was to provide best management practice advice on vessel hardening measures and armed protection for commercial shipping encountering the threat of Somali Piracy.

The skills and qualifications Luke earned during his long-term career gives him a deep understanding of the challenges that seafarers face currently, given the heightened security and geopolitical tensions globally.

True to his nature of always being in service to others, Luke spends his free time with several fellowship and prayer groups. He leads a Catholic Men's Group in Dorset and participates in pilgrimages. Last year, he joined the Latin Mass Society on pilgrimage from the Cathedral City of Ely to Walsingham National Shrine. He also participated in the Marian Franciscans pilgrimage from Canterbury to Ramsgate.

His other pursuits away from work include attending Holy Hours, spiritual reading, the outdoors and spending time with family.

Stella Maris UK CEO Tim Hill welcomed Luke's appointment: "Luke brings not only professional expertise but also a deep personal commitment to the mission of Stella Maris. We are confident he will bring great strength to our chaplaincy team, offering meaningful support to the men and women who work at sea, and strengthening our cruise chaplaincy ministry."

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