We are Stella Maris Canada
Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea) Canada is part of a global Roman Catholic organization that cares for seafarers and fishers and their families, and all who make a living from the sea. Our chaplaincies at seaports across Canada offer pastoral and practical care primarily to international workers who visit us aboard large cargo vessels and cruise ships. We serve all seafarers, irrespective of nationality and creed, and additionally respond to the particular spiritual needs of Catholic crewmembers who are away from their home communities for extended periods of time.
Meet the Team
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Most Reverend Thomas Dowd
Bishop-Promoter for Maritime Ministry for the Territory of Canada
Bishop of Sault Ste-Marie (former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal)
On March 21, 2024, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) re-appointed Bishop Dowd for a 4th three-year term as the Episcopal-Promoter for Stella Maris Canada.
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Dcn. Dileep Athaide
National Director for Maritime Ministry in Canada
Port Chaplain at Vancouver, British Columbia
Deacon Dileep Athaide has been providing pastoral care to seafarers since his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Vancouver in December 2015. He also serves at the parish of Sacred Heart Church in South Delta, and is the Spiritual Advisor of Our Lady of Guadeloupe Chapter of Magnificat Canada. Deacon Dileep is a retired college professor in Geology and Adult Foundation Studies and a former Labour leader.
Port Chaplains
Each of our Stella Maris Canada chaplains has been appointed by the bishop of their Catholic diocese, and most work alongside ecumenical partners and volunteers in their port ministry.
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Dcn. Philip Yuson
Victoria, British Columbia
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Fr. Terry Brock
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
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Fr. Dominic Apaatah
Kitimat, British Columbia
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Dcn. Dileep Athaide
Vancouver and Surrey-Fraser, British Columbia
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Dcn. Dave Robertson
Sarnia, Ontario
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Dcn. Matt Sutton
Windsor, Ontario
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Dcn. Brian Dunn
Hamilton, Ontario
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Dcn. Alban Soares
Oshawa, Ontario
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Dcn. Paul Racette
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
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Fr. Rejean Lussier
Quebec City, Quebec
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Fr. Benjamin Ripley, OFM
Montreal, Quebec | Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
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Fr. Roman Dusanowskyj
Sydney, Nova Scotia
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Dcn. Art Mitchell
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Fr. Anthony Bidgood, C.Ss.R
St. John’s, Newfoundland
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Victoria and Vancouver Island
Vancouver
Prince Rupert
Kitimat
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Oshawa
Hamilton
Windsor
Sarnia
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Montreal
Quebec City
Trois Rivieres
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Sydney
Halifax
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St. Johns
