Montreal Ministry to Seafarers Sees Developments, Adaptations, Hardship During COVID-19
By Maia VanderMeer, Banner It’s Friday afternoon, July 24, and Michelle DePooter-Francis is on her way to Walmart to pick up items requested by seafarers restricted to their ships. DePooter-Francis is lead chaplain of the Ministry to Seafarers, a mission in the
WiFi in Canadian Ports – Spring 2020 Survey
By Dr. Jason Zuidema, Executive Director, NAMMA (Montreal, Quebec) with Kevin Walker, Executive Assistant, NAMMA (Halifax, NS) Introduction Since the early 19th century, faith-based, not-for-profit organizations have existed in ports in Canada to help visiting seafarers with whatever needs they have. Over
Coronavirus and those we serve
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA As seafarers travel the world so does the current pandemic. Yet in light of associated challenges with the Coronavirus the opportunity to care for those living and working on ships remains a high priority. Ministries are adapting their practices as
“I know chaplains who are hurting”: Confronting Isolation
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Isolation goes viral The poet John Donne’s line, “no man is an island,” is not only great poetry, but a human reality: people need to be connected. Yet loneliness and isolation seep into our lives even in a
Mariners’ House of Montreal Celebrates Grand Re-Opening
Representatives of the Port and supporting communities gathered on November 23 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially re-open Mariners’ House, the seafarers centre in the Port of Montreal. Robert Zeagman, President of Seagulf Marine Industries and the Mariners’ House board,