Mass onboard ship - a blessing for crew members

Mass onboard ship – a blessing for crew members

Oct 28, 2012 News

By Leon Suseran
Last Sunday many were treated to an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience; at least I was. It was Mass on board a ship; my first Mass on water and was it an experience! The Missionaries of Charity Sisters in New Amsterdam had invited me for Mass on board the MT Tradewind Adventure, an ‘oil ship’, moored along the banks of Heathburn, a village

MT Tradewind

on East Bank Berbice.
Catholic priests, Fathers Joachim DeMello, Joseph Mohan and Justin Prabhu were on board, along with some other parishioners and persons from around that area. So, we arrived and there she stood, one giant ship. Boarding her was next and that was half as entertaining. We had to climb up a gang plank that was so steep that the MC Sisters held on for dear life.
We were welcomed on the deck by the sailors and the friendly Captain. He is Indian. Some of the sailors and mates were from India and the Philippines. We were allowed to photograph the so beautiful and heavenly East Bank Berbice sunset as our backdrop. The moment was tranquil.
We were given a short tour and then it was time for Mass. We went indoors and climbed several flights of stairs until we reached the chapel. It was a small room but dedicated to the worship of God.
It was amazing to see the dedication that the sailors and crew put into creating this mini- sanctuary. Everyone somehow fit themselves into the small room. Fr. Mohan said Mass. Cameras were busy flashing as many sought to capture the good moments during the Eucharistic Celebration.
Sister Sharon Harris sang lustily for the Mass on the River. After the celebration, crew members took the opportunity to speak on camera for Fr. Prabhu who was filming for the ‘Catholic Magazine’.
Afterwards, we were invited up in the control room upstairs where Fr. Mohan was asked to bless the equipment. We were shown the ship’s radar which is a very important piece of equipment for guiding the ship’s direction and which also displays weather readings.
Later, we were invited to the mess hall for a scrumptious buffet dinner. The ship’s crew sang karaoke melodiously and Sister Harris even joined in.