August 2015

A Fisherman's Reflection on Pope Francis' Encyclical "Laudato Si"  

By: Capt. Pietro Parravano
Chair, AOS-USA Fishing Committee

The connection between the significance of fish and our faith is well documented in the gospels. The connection between the consumption of fish and our health is also well documented. The Bible has several references to gospels of the importance of fish and fishermen. The recent Papal encyclical has several references to the consequences of environmental degradation to our natural resources that are important for food resources.
In the gospel of Luke, Chapter 5, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee and notices Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John casting nets into the water. Jesus calls out to the four men and asks them to follow him. He tells them that he will send them out to fish for people, instead of fish. So they left everything and followed Jesus.

Capt. Parravano at work in Half Moon Bay, CA.

In the gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, Jesus feeds a multitude of people with 5 loaves and two fish. He gave this food to his disciples to distribute amongst the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied with their meal.

In the gospel of John, Chapter 21, Jesus offers hope to some of his disciples who were unsuccessful at catching fish. He suggests to them to throw their net on the other side of the boat. When they cast their net according to directions from Jesus, the net was swollen with fish and they were unable to haul it into the boat. They towed the net to the shore. On the shore, they noticed glowing coals. Jesus asked the fishermen to bring Him some fish and have breakfast together.

On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical (LAUDATO SI) calling for dialogue and action on the continued adverse impacts of human activities on the habitat and resources needed for sustenance and quality of life. He writes

"Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day." Pope Francis warns of an "unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequence for all of us".  

Pope Francis uses his encyclical to illustrate the consequences of increased exploitation and destruction of our natural resources. Our adjacent oceans are a major source of food. Issues like ocean acidification, ocean warming, ocean pollution, and algal blooms are detrimental to healthy and productive oceans and consequently reduce access and dependence on food supplies. We cannot afford to witness this decline of seafood harvest and ocean quality due to environmental impacts. Pope Francis reminds us "that human beings destroy the biological diversity in God's creation; that human beings compromise the integrity of the earth and contribute to climate change, stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; that human beings pollute the water, soil, air; all these are sins."

These references in the gospels and in LAUDATO SI illustrate the importance of fish as food and are very significant and important in our lives today. Many times we take for granted that food will be always available and plentiful. Many times we do not understand the source of food and how food arrives in a market. Commercial fishermen bring you a variety of seafood which is unique to the region. We do this with pride using skills that we have learned working on the back deck of fishing boats. The role of fishermen is deeply rooted in the gospels and is affirmed with LAUDATO SI. Its significance continues today in our coastal communities and the Great Lakes. Often catching fish is a spiritual way of life and serves as a symbol culture and heritage.

Fish is one of the most nutritious foods available.

Fish is packed with Omega 3 oil, protein, vitamins, and nutrients that can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.  

Both the gospels and the Papal encyclical uses fish and oceans to give credit to fishermen as food producers and to healthy oceans as food providers. Both remind us "Don't mess with our faith, our fish and our oceans".

Pietro Parravano
AOS-USA
Chair, Fishing Committee
July 6, 2015

各地からの港の情報 苫小牧



12日の「船員の日」ポスターとAOSニュース読みました。ポスターに私たち夫婦も写
真にあったので2013年の全国会議だったのではないでしょうか。松浦司教様のメッセージと全国の様子にとても励まされます。ギャリー神父様の出会いの話に船員さんと家族の絆を感じました。苫小牧教会でのミサ中、主任のライヤ神父様が苫小牧キリスト教船員奉仕会に対する協力と支援を呼び掛けて下さいました。

船員奉仕会は7月10日に恒例の「海の日」を記念するバーベキューパーティを開きま
した。写真をご覧ください。昨年の私自身の手術入院に続き、創立以来ボランティアを続けてきた女性がガンのため療養を余儀なくされ、高齢のため奉仕会を引退される方もあってボランティア不足によりシーフェアラーズセンターのオープンを週に
2回ない3回に制限せざるを得ない状況ですが船員さんの感謝と笑顔に励まされてやっ
ています。

8月上旬の苫小牧港まつりの機会に地元紙「苫小牧民報社」の記者から奉仕会を取材
したいとの要請があり、訪船ボランティア3名と記者を同行して訪船しました。小さく古い中国船員の船、建設機械をベトナムへ運ぶフィリピン船員の船、３船目はサハリンから石炭を運んできたロシア船でした。それぞれのお国ぶりを感じさせる船員たち、
記者曰く、「英語ができなくてもコミュニケーション出来るんですね」と。私は「も
ちろんです」と答えました。経験がものをいう」それとも「一見は百聞にしかず」でしょうか。

昨日、訪船した船は6名が交代で新旧の乗組員が一緒のところでした。帰国するメン
バー（offsignerと言うんですね）は午後、新千歳空港から香港そしてフィリピンの家族のもとへ、Have a nice
vacation. And too you all.

苫小牧キリスト教船員奉仕会
事務局長　柳谷豊





名古屋

伊藤和子さん
Hudson Trader Iの連絡ありがとうございました。
今日の昼、名古屋を発って、大阪へいき、インチョンから
中国へとか言っていました。
昨晩、ジョイ神父と一緒に船上ミサを行い、乗り組み全員が参加する熱心さで、ミサ
後にカード、ロザリオなど
見せたら、皆欲しがっていました。船長一同ミサに参加したのは
よかったようです。とてもよい雰囲気の船でした。
連絡ありがとうございます。また何かあれば連絡ください。

港教会　　山口正美


八戸

Five seafarers joined the Sunday mass last July 26 here in Hachinohe Shio Machi Catholic Church. There presence gave me a chance to introduce my work with the seafarers to the community. Hachinohe has many ports and the church is just a drive away from the port.

The seafarers were waiting for the new ship to be launch here in Hachinohe and they were staying at the nearby hotel. Their agent gave them the information of the churches around the area and one of them came to join in our Friday evening mass. He then brought his companions to the church on Sunday. 

ギャリー神父
塩町八戸カトリック教会