Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) welcomed St Andrew’s Cathedral parishioner Maita Crowe as a new Board member at the Catholic charity’s recent virtual annual general meeting. Maita joined Glasgow-based James Muir as new additions to the Board and their appointments are a boost to the charity as it adapts its ministry supporting seafarers and fishers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in Glasgow 100 years ago, Stella Maris now reaches out to more than a million seafarers and fishers around the world every year through its vast network of more than 1,000 chaplains and volunteers in over 300 ports.
Maita said, “I am delighted to join and serve an organisation whose core values are founded through acts of charity by providing seafarers with a welcoming smile, a helping hand, showing appreciation for the contributions they make and ensuring that they operate under fair working conditions where their basic human rights are protected.
“Being based in Dundee, Scotland provides me with the opportunity to be close to the several ports in the country and work first hand with the chaplains, volunteers and parishes to make seafarers welcome during their short stay on land,” adds businesswoman Maita.
James, who is Chief Commercial Officer at V.Group in Glasgow said, “Stella Maris is a cause that I have admired for many years, and I am looking forward to my involvement as a board trustee.
“The charity’s focus on seafarer wellbeing has never been more important in light of Covid-19 and the challenges that crew face while waiting to be relieved from their vessels. I hope that my participation with Stella Maris will help to continue shining a light on seafarer wellbeing through the work of this incredible charity.”
Stella Maris’ Chair of Trustees, Dr Esteban Pacha welcomed Maita and James into the fold. “We are proud of our Scottish roots and as an ex-seafarer myself have experienced the warm welcome of the many Stella Maris facilities in different ports of the world. Our ministry truly is the embodiment of the Church reaching out to the people of the sea and their families bringing them Christian comfort and care.”