CathNews New Zealand

International seafarers at the port of Auckland had some special Kiwi Christmas cheer last year thanks to four Catholic schools.

The schools – St Leo’s, Devonport; St Joseph’s, Otahuhu; St Joseph’s, Orakei and St Mary’s, Ellerslie – made hundreds of hand-crafted Christmas cards for seafarers.

These were given out on ships berthed in Auckland just before and after Christmas by chaplains from the Auckland International Seafarers Centre.

Auckland Apostleship of the Sea chaplain Dr Michael Otto said the cards were very well received by the seafarers, who hailed from many nations.

“Many of the cards noted that the seafarers were away from their families at Christmas,” Dr Otto said.

“And many children wrote hoping that the seafarers would see their loved ones again soon. A lot of cards included promises by children that they would pray for the seafarers.”

It is common for seafarers to work long contracts and to be away from their families for up to 9 months at a time.

Dr Otto said the cards let the seafarers know that they are neither invisible nor forgotten by Kiwis at Christmas.

One Russian duty officer on a ship berthed in Auckland described the cards as “beautiful, just beautiful”, Dr Otto said.

The cards featured a variety of Christmas designs, with Kiwiana, nautical themes and summer scenes prevalent.

“It was clear that a lot of thought, time and effort had gone into making the cards,” Dr Otto said.
The seafarers and the chaplains and volunteers at the seafarers centre are very grateful to the schools for their kindness and thoughtfulness, he added.

The initiative for schools to make the cards came from the Auckland International Seafarers Centre chairman, Captain Chris Barradale

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Supplied

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