A guiding light: Stella Maris provides spiritual care, practical support to seafarers

Deacon Jeff Willard, port chaplain at the Galveston Seafarers Center, greets visitors using the center’s van shuttle service. The Seafarers Center is one of three port chaplaincies served by the Archdiocese’s Stella Maris ministry.  (Photo courtesy of the Office of Development)HOUSTON — In the busy ports of Houston, Galveston and Barbour’s Cut, where ships from around the world converge, Stella Maris — also known as the Port Chaplaincy — is the Archdiocese’s ministry providing sacramental and pastoral care to Catholic seafarers. A dedicated team of chaplains and volunteers works tirelessly to offer spiritual care and practical support to individuals from diverse backgrounds with heartfelt compassion. 

Father Jan Kubisa, port chaplain at the Houston International Seafarers’ Center, has been at the heart of this ministry since 2004. Originally from Poland, Father Kubisa’s journey from Africa, where he spent 13 years as a missionary, has equipped him with a unique understanding of various cultures and languages. He and his team can communicate in English, Tagalog, Chinese, Russian, Burmese, Polish, Korean and Spanish. 

“My background gives me a special connection to many nationalities and cultures. Therefore, I feel in the right place in this ministry,” said Father Kubisa. “Jesus said to go to all the nations, but in my ministry, all nations come to me, and I can fulfill Jesus’ call on the spot.” 
Father Kubisa finds it deeply meaningful when seafarers express their gratitude, often describing Stella Maris as a vital source of friendship and support during their challenging lives at sea. The Stella Maris Catholic team at Port Houston, which includes two priests, five deacons and three volunteers, serves approximately 100,000 people annually, offering a “home away from home” for seafarers and port workers. Many seek prayers, blessings and pastoral services, including explanations of the Christian faith, access to Bibles and spiritual reading. 


An example of this impact is a story Father Kubisa shared about a Filipino seafarer who recently came to the center with a laptop, eager to connect to the internet. His firstborn son had been born just days before he arrived in Houston, and he was anxious to see his son for the first time. As he connected to the web and dialed his wife, he was soon full of smiles and tears while his wife recorded his son’s first video. 

At the Galveston Seafarers Center, Deacon Jeff Willard brings a personal touch to his role as port chaplain, a position he has held for three years. He and his team follow the Stella Maris mission, which emphasizes supporting seafarers spiritually and emotionally while integrating Catholic values into daily operations. 

In 2023, the ministry provided compassionate care rooted in the Catholic faith to 23,076 visitors from 93 countries. Deacon Willard and his team strive to provide seafarers with a safe space to unwind and momentarily escape the demands of ship life. 

“I am always amazed at the sacrifices made by the crew, especially being away from home and family in a difficult environment,” Deacon Willard said. “Our 18 volunteers are always smiling, serving and becoming a second family to those who enter the center.”  

Deacon Willard said he gives the seafarers access to his 5G hotspot, enabling them to connect with their families via WhatsApp and FaceTime. He also brings them mail, shops for those who cannot go ashore and transports crew members to shopping centers. Additionally, he listens to their stories, talks about their families and countries, and offers friendship and support. 

“I visit the cargo ships to bring a smile, a prayer and to chat with the crew,” Deacon Willard said. “One of the best things we can do is be present. The port is small enough to allow us to spend as much time onboard as the crew needs.” 

Earlier this year, a seafarer from South Africa showed Deacon Willard videos of her six-month-old daughter, a beautiful baby cooing and smiling. She shared that her daughter recently passed away from an undiagnosed blood disorder. Despite her grief, she returned to the ship shortly after the funeral because she had a son at home and needed the income. 
“As I offered her words of comfort, she told me, ‘My baby girl was never really mine. She always belonged to God, and I just got to have her for six months,’” Deacon Willard shared. “I was struck by her profound understanding that all we have is a gift from God.” 

Because Stella Maris in the Houston and Galveston seafarers’ centers is supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), which covers 90 to 95% of the ministry’s funding, it can provide comprehensive essential services and spiritual care to seafarers at the port. Deacon Willard said contributing to the annual DSF appeal offers a meaningful way for the faithful in the Archdiocese to contribute. 

“Supporting DSF is a wonderful way for the faithful in the Archdiocese to pay it forward because every dollar donated impacts this ministry to souls,” Deacon Willard said. “Having worked for the Church for around 30 years and being ordained for 25, I consider Stella Maris the most fulfilling ministry I have been involved with. I have been extremely blessed to serve in many roles, but this ministry connects the Gospels before my eyes and allows me to be the Church to people from around the world.” 

Father Kubisa agrees that funding from the DSF is essential for the ministry, especially for enabling seafarers to celebrate the Sacraments despite their contracts on ships, which can exceed eight months. 

“Holy Mass and Confession are crucial for Catholic seafarers to grow spiritually and maintain their Catholic identity,” Father Kubisa said. “Many appreciate it greatly and almost immediately ask for a photo with a priest to share with their families. Without this opportunity, they might go months without attending Mass, and it is common for them to confess after many years away from the Sacrament.” 

To learn more about Stella Maris, visit www.archgh.org/stellamaris. To donate to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s DSF annual appeal, visit www.archgh.org/DSF. The DSF supports 64 ministries, whether direct service or education, which require this critical funding to remain in operation. Out of each gift given to DSF, 100% of every dollar goes directly to supporting these ministries.