Sea Sunday 2026

Sea Sunday is Sunday 12th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. Those travelling through areas like the Straits of Hormuz and the Red and Black Sea, facing risks most of us will never experience.

Many seafarers are scared and anxious about their own situation. Many fear for friends and colleagues especially for the 20-30,000 seafarers stuck on their vessels due to the shutting of the Straits of Hormuz. Stella Maris is able to help and support them. Additional help lines and on-line areas, available 24/7, have been set up for those seafarers in the conflict areas. Your support for Stella Maris makes a big difference to them and to all seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, or by visiting stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris (formerly called Apostleship of the Sea) to continue its important work - so please give generously.

As a Stella Maris Ship Welfare Visitor I continue to visit cargo ships and tankers in the ports of Cardiff and Newport. I am very conscious of the increasing concerns amongst the crews for their own safety and for their families who are far away. They are worried for the safety and wellbeing of colleagues trapped by the Straits of Hormuz and for their families too. This all contributes to greater stress, unhappiness and loneliness. 

Thank you very much for all you have given for seafarers in the past. The box in the narthex is rarely empty; your ongoing support is amazing and certainly makes my role easier. The seafarers’ faces light up when I hand over your gifts. It means a great deal to them to know that they are not forgotten, that you care about them and pray for them and their families.

This Sea Sunday, I am asking once again for items such as:

• biscuits, chocolates, chewing gum,
• toiletries such as soap, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste & toothbrushes

If you have any spare rosaries or prayerbooks, these too are very much appreciated by seafarers. All items can be placed in the Seafarers’ Box in the narthex. Thank you very much for your generosity and continued support.

Please keep in your prayers seafarers and their families and all those who work with and for them. Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for them.

Barbara Thomas

Stella Maris Volunteer Ship Welfare Visitor, Ports of Cardiff and Newport