Pilgrim people: Orlando's unique tourism ministry

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Pilgrim people: Orlando's unique tourism ministry 2016-09-30T17:40:20-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Visitors to the theme parks are probably aware of Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe near Disney World. But there’s even more in that popular vacation region.

A look at this unique ministry in Florida Catholic:

The Apostleship of the Sea ministers to crew members and passengers of the cruise ships at Port Canaveral. Missionaries of La Salette Father Robert Susann ministers to travelers and staff at Orlando International Airport.

The Apostleship of the Sea is a ministry for the spiritual and practical assistance of seafarers, regardless of their religious affiliation or country of origin. It is the only ministry actually located on the port.

Bishop Emeritus Norbert M. Dorsey established the Apostleship of the Sea Center in 2000. Deacon William T. Wanca and Servite Father Carl Feil serve the seafarers.

“On average, we probably have 1,000 people coming through the center a month,” Deacon Wanca said. “It’s like a revolving door. We’re constantly with people in and out of the place.”

The Apostleship of the Sea ministers to body and soul. The center offers a bank of computers with Internet access so people can send email messages. The computers also are equipped with Skype, which enables video calling, instant messaging and regular telephone service.

“It’s nice they can have a video chat with their families,” Deacon Wanca said.

The center is Wi-Fi capable for visitors with their own laptops. A bank of telephones is available and phone cards can also be purchased at the center. The center provides money-wiring services as well.

“We have a small ship store where they can buy snacks like they would find in their home countries,” Deacon Wanca added.

Although crew members account for much of the center’s traffic, passengers often attend the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, celebrated by Father Feil. Masses can be arranged during the week by requests from crew members.

Deacon Wanca recalls a young lady from the Philippines who came in as he was preparing for a liturgy and Communion service. She inquired about the service and indicated her interest in attending.

“After services were over, I noticed she was a little bit emotional. I sat with her and asked her if anything was wrong at home. There was no problem she wanted to talk about. She said she had just learned about our center from a friend and that we offered Catholic services. She said it had been six months since she was able to get to church to receive Communion, and today was kind of special to her because it was her 21st birthday.

“I said (to myself) this is what we’re supposed to be doing. This is what it’s all about,” Deacon Wanca said.

Read more.

And: lest we forget, there’s a website that offers Mass Times all over the country for vacationers.

Previous Post

July 22, 2011

"Hot town, summer in the city..."

Next Post

July 22, 2011 Worth a thousand words

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism education Education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized VATICAN Vatican vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to the Beatitudes, who will be blessed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The wealthiest The strongest The merciful The most powerful

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »