Seafarers arriving in Western Australia can look forward to a place of welcome, pastoral care and support with the opening of the newly relocated Stella Maris Seafarers Centre in Rockingham.
On Friday 12 June, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB blessed and officially opened the new centre, marking the successful completion of its relocation from its former Fremantle site.
“May this place be a sign of God’s care for all whose work carries them far from home,” he prayed.
“Bless this place and all who enter it. May it be a haven of welcome and rest, a place of friendship and renewal, where seafarers of every nation and tongue are received with dignity and compassion.”
Joining Archbishop Costelloe in the celebration, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton said the Centre embodied Christ’s compassion and the Church’s mission of hospitality and long tradition of caring for those who live and work at sea.
“Under the protection of Mary, Star of the Sea, this Centre will be a home of prayer, rest, support and companionship,” he said. “May every person who enters these doors find comfort, friendship, and the presence of Christ.”
The establishment of the centre in Rockingham is aimed at better supporting seafarers.
It came about following meetings between Bishop Don, Perth Assistant Anglican Bishop David Bassett, and the cities of Rockingham and Kwinana which recognised that, between the two Churches, seafarers docking at both Kwinana and Fremantle would be cared for in the best possible way.
“This new facility is critical for the ongoing support of seafarers,” Bishop Don added.
“May it shine as a beacon of hope in our port and be a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for those who keep our world connected.”
Having made the trip specially for the opening, Bishop of Broome and Bishop Promoter for Stella Maris Australia, Tim Norton explained Stella Maris or the Apostleship of the Sea as it is also known has been a universal agency of the Church for more than 100 years, having been founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 1920.
It’s WA foundations date back to 1927 in Fremantle under the guidance of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Following a period of inactivity during the 1930s, the service was reestablished by the priests of the Order of Mary Immaculate in 1942. In 1944 a new centre was established in Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle where it remained until January 2026. Today, the Apostleship of the Sea has a presence in all major Australian ports.
Bishop Tim said the Stella Maris legacy was built on the “face, personality and generosity of volunteers.”
“Stella Maris is more than a charity; it is more than a service; it is a living and dynamic community of care,” he added.
While he was unable to attend the event in person, Fr Tony Cox, the National Director of Stella Maris sent a note of congratulations and support that was shared with attendees by the Coordinator of the Stella Maris Centre, Claude Coutinho.
The event concluded with Archbishop Costelloe making his way throughout the facility to bless each room before officially declaring the Centre open.
Additional guests at the event included: Perth Auxiliary Bishop Nelson Po; Parish Priests of Rockingham, Port Kennedy and Baldivis; CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia, Dr Jerry Nockles; CSSA Director of Strategic Engagement and Mission, Katie Walsh-Smith; Honourable Lorna Buchan, Mayor, City of Rockingham; Committee of Management members, Dr Debra Sayce (Chair), Colin Schotte, Heather McNaught, Dcn Patrick Moore and Savio Fernandes who is also the Harbour Master and Welfare Committee Chair; Chaplain Mission to Seafarers, Rev John Smith; Pastoral Assistant, Sr Noelene Win; St Patricks Community and Support Services’ Michael Piu and Tanya Payne; Archdiocese Chancery and Agency staff; and Volunteers.
In 2026 Sea Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday 12 July. More information to come.
