Antwerp, Christmas 2007
In Antwerp, ecumenical partners work together to give visiting seafarers a happy Christmas
On Christmas Eve, 75 seafarers attended a Christmas dinner at the International Seamen’s house. Transport to and from their ships was organised by AOS and our ecumenical partners in Antwerp: Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society and Deutsche Seemannsmission.
After the dinner, the four societies held the traditional ecumenical Christmas celebration. All of the chaplains participated in the service and the choir of the International Protestant Church of Antwerp led the singing. The celebration was attended by some 125 seafarers of various nationalities including Chinese, Indian, Ukrainian and Egyptian. Fr Leo van Doninck, AOS chaplain in Antwerp, said
It was really the whole maritime world which was represented at the foot of the Holy Child in the manger.
After the service, “Father Christmas” made a traditional appearance and distributed Christmas presents to the seafarers. Celebrations continued until 11pm when two big buses returned the seafarers to their ships.
Fr Leo at the dockside
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Ship visiting |
The ecumenical Christmas celebration | 
"Fr Christmas" makes an appearance
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Seafarers celebrate by the Christmas tree | 
Seafarers model gifts of hats and scarves
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Dreaming of a white Christmas? Antwerp in the snow | 
A seafarer enjoying an icecream at the Christmas dinner |
Unfortunately, not every seafarer who was in Antwerp over the Christmas period was able to join the celebration. Filipino AB Neil Maglagang from MV Bridge Arrow was in hospital. In November he was involved in a serious accident when a mooring cable snapped. He narrowly avoided losing his leg which had to be operated on in Antwerp. Fr Leo and his team visited the seafarer regularly bringing him Holy Communion and newspapers and phone cards. Fr Leo reports
He was very happy that we at the Seafarers' Centre did not forget him.
Seafarer Maglagang is now ready to return to Manila for further treatment and recovery.
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