The Missions to Seafarers is one the largest chaplaincies in the world. It is under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth the Second of the Church of England. Missions to Seafarers is a ministry of the Anglican Church worldwide in international seaports. The Missions to Seafarers in the Diocese of Toronto is headed by the Rev. David Mulholland. He is an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Toronto. He has been serving at least more than 25 years at The Toronto Harbour Commission.
The Rev. Ariel Dumaran first encounter with the Club, or as it is knowned by seafarers as "seaman's club" was in early 1995, when he was invited to attend a Service that took place at the centre located at 51 Unwin Road, Toronto which is also known as Pier 51. I was then invited to become a volunteer. We started bringing in members from the Parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz to look after the nights when there were ships docked at the pier. We served the seafarers and crews of that port in terms of hospitality. We provided a space and time where they can feel welcome in a new port. Over the years, The Rev. Ariel Dumaran served the centre in an on call basis, and when there are needs arising, he would try to meet them at the centre, or other places of shipping and ports.
At this moment, Fr. David, Fr. Ariel and Scott Braodhead staff the place on a regular basis. Aside from them, few volunteers come to help in our Publunch of Thursdays and also on other occasions. We usually open the centre after 6 pm, when workers are done of their duties.
We also take them to interesting places in Ontario, like Niagara falls, or shopping centres. Our most important work is to give them a place where they can communicate with their loves back home. We have limited phonelines and access to Internet. A small kitchen, a little chapel, and a playroom and entertainment centre at the second floor.
The Rev. Ariel Dumaran looks after the other ports outside Toronto. He goes to Hamilton, at the Dofasco complex where ships from the Greatlakes take fuel (coal) to be used for smelting and fabrication. Then, about several kilometres, the Rev. Ariel contacts the captain of the ship that is bound for Nanticoke, at the end of Highway 6 southbound, toward the Lake Erie facing New York. A huge Electric generator that is powered by coal is where Father Ariel Dumaran would try to meet crews and captain of Lakers. Father Ariel also would meet both American and Canadian sailors at this port.
On occasions, upon the request of the Roman catholic chaplain in Oshawa, the Rev. Ariel Dumaran would also go there to meet sailors from around the world. On many occassions, both Scott and Father David would go to Quebec and Montreal to cover the busiest ports in our side.
On some occassions, Rev. Ariel Dumaran would also visit ships at the Sugar Dock at Red Path down Toronto's Lakeshore, Toronto Port Authority Recycling plant, and also Cement loading area at the Cherry Street. There's a busy activity right now at the lower end of Down Valley.
On a given season at least Rev. Ariel Dumaran from April or May to Nov. and sometimes December would spend more than 150 hours of visitation on board ships, excluding some other hospitality trips. We are including here in this blog stories, encounters, and diaries of a seaport or lakes chaplain. By the way Rev. Ariel Dumaran also looks after a congregation at the same Deanery where Missions to Seafarers is located.
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