About

Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America (AOS-USA) is the professional association of Catholic Maritime Ministers, Cruise Ship Priests, Mariners and all those who support the ministry to the People of the Sea.

AOS-USA provides mutual support, continuing education, and intercommunication for Catholic Maritime Ministers

AOS-USA labors on behalf of the dignity and human rights of every person in the maritime community.

Sensitive to the complex church and social environment of today's world, AOS-USA offers men and women training and formation to prepare for Catholic maritime ministry.

AOS-USA operates the Cruise Ship Priest Program for the pastoral care of cruise ship passengers and crew. We ensure that only valid priests in good standing, who have their Bishop's/Provincial's permission to serve are onboard as Chaplains.

Become a Cruise Ship Priest

These are the Criuse Lines and Travel Agencies that we currently recommend booking vacations through. 

The Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America is a Not for Profit Entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.  Federal Tax ID #: 26-2304578. A copy of our IRS Form 990 is available upon request.
 

President: Capt. George McShea, Jr.

Upon graduation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY Captain McShea sailed for 20 years on US Flag tankers, including 12 years as Master. 

In 1989 George came ashore as Operations Manager for American Maritime Transport – a three ship US Flag company operating in world-wide trade. He became Director of the Port of Portland Oregon shipyard in 1993, where he led the yard through a privatization effort to a private ship repair contractor in 1996 and then moved to ARCO Marine as Operations Manager.

Through a series of corporate mergers, he moved to the position of President, Polar Tankers, Inc., a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, operating on the US West Coast. For ConocoPhillips, George also served as the Marine Manager – Transportation from 2006 until his retirement in October 2011.

In July 2013, George was elected President of the Administrative Board for the Apostleship of the Sea – USA, a position he still holds today.

He is a long-time member of the Nautical Institute and the Council of American Master Mariners.

Vice President: Fr. William E. Reynolds, JCL

Father Bill Reynolds, JCL, is a Retired priest in the Diocese of Davenport Iowa. He has served as Vice-president of the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America since 2013. He is a cruise ship priest member and has served as the national secretary of AOS-USA from 2006 - 2013. In 1988 he received a License in Canon Law (JCL), summa cum laude from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome He had served in tribunal ministry part-time when he returned from Rome For the past twenty-five years he has been an officer of the Priests' Aid Society, which provides a retirement benefit for priests of the Diocese of Davenport. He is now the Vice-President of the PAS. On July 1, 2014 he became the state Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus for Iowa.

Secretary: Rev. Thomas J. Boyer

Ordained to the Catholic Priesthood 1968

Education:

• Bachelor of Science – St Meinrad College of Liberal Arts
• Master of Divinity – St Meinrad School of Theology
• Summer Institutes – University of Leuven, Belgium & Loyola University, New Orleans

Retired 2013, and now assisting at St Peter the Apostle, St William, St Agnes, & St Elizabeth Seton Parishes in Naples, FL

Previous Pastoral Assignments include:

• Pastor: Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish, Norman, OK
• Rector: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral, Oklahoma City, OK
• Pastor: St Thomas More University Parish, Norman, OK
• Pastor: St Joseph Parish, Union City, OK
• Administrator/Faculty Member: Mount Saint Mary High School, Oklahoma City
• Associate Pastor: St. Joseph Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City

In addition to these Pastoral Assignments:

• Director of Catholic Youth Ministry
• Director of Vocations
• Consultor to the Archbishop
• Member of the Council of Priests
• Member of the Archbishop’s Personnel Board
• Faculty Member for Summer Institutes for National Pastoral Musicians
• Apostleship of the Sea-USA Past Board Member
• Serving as Ship Chaplain for Holland American Cruise Line

Past Member of:

• National Federation of Priests Councils
• National Organization for Continuing Education of Priests
• National Pastoral Musicians
• Regional Representative to National Federation of Priests Councils
• National Catholic Youth Organization National Board

Guest Lectures:

• St Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology – Institute for Priests
• Conception Seminary College – Commencement Address & Student Retreat
• St Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore Student Retreat
• More than forty Diocesan Presbyteral Assemblies and Retreats
• Numerous Parish Lenten Missions throughout the United States
• Keynote Address and Homilies at National Catholic Youth Convention
• The Ann Stolberg Lecture: Covington, KY
• Saving Sacred Things Symposium: Catholic University of America
• The Dolle Lecture: St Meinrad Seminary
• St Gregory University, Shawnee, OK – Commencement Address
• Frequent Guest Lecturer at University of Oklahoma School of Religious Studies
• Participated in the Heartland Institute “Think Tank” regarding the Failure of Bi-partisan Politics” at the University of Oklahoma February 2010
• Several Retreats for Religious Communities of Men and Women
• Retreats for Diocesan Permanent Deacons in four Dioceses.

Treasurer: Deacon Patrick LaPoint

Deacon LaPoint is a married permanent deacon of the Diocese of Lake Charles, La. He currently serves as Director of the Stella Maris Seafarers Center of Lake Charles for the Diocese for the past 15 years and is assigned to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur, La. as the deacon of the parish. He has been married to Sandra LaPoint for the past 31 years. They have 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He currently serves as the Port Chaplain Board Member of the Apostleship of the Sea – USA. He is a third degree knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3015 in Sulphur, La. Currently he is serving as treasure of AOS-USA and the National advisor to the USCCB, Committee, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church

He has served in the past as:

Past treasurer AOS-USA 6 years

Past Vice President AOS-USA 2 years

Past treasurer of the Propeller Club, Port of Southwest La.

Served in the US Navy for 4 years.

Cruise Ship Priest Rep. Board Member: Fr. Gary Padgett

Father Gary Padgett is a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville. He was ordained on June 5, 1999. Prior to ordination, Fr. Gary received his B.A. from Morehead State University where he majored in Speech and Journalism and minored in English. He competed all four years of college on the debate team. He spent two years at the University of Alabama working on a M.A. in Rhetoric and Speech Communication and served as an Assistant Coach for the debate team. Instead of finishing the M.A. he returned to Kentucky and one year later enrolled in law school at the University of Louisville. He earned his J.D. (Juris Doctor) in 1983 and passed the Kentucky Bar Examination and was sworn into the Kentucky Bar Association where he remains a member in good standing. He worked for 11 years at the United States Department of Justice. He served as Administrative Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Louisville for five years before transferring to the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys in Washington, DC where he served as a Management Analyst until he left in 1994 for the seminary. Fr. Gary enrolled at St. Meinrad School of Theology where he earned an M.A. degree in 1996 and the M.Div. degree in 1999. He currently serves as Pastor at St. Brigid Church and St. James Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has been a member of Apostleship of the Sea of the USA since 2012 and has served as a cruise ship priest on seventeen Holland America cruises. He is also Faithful Friar for Knights of Columbus and Chaplain for Knights of Columbus Council. Fr. Gary currently is serving his second term on the Priest Council for the Archdiocese of Louisville and is in his first term as Cruise Ship Priest representative for AOS-USA.

Fishers Board Rep. Member: Capt. Pietro Parravano

Pietro Parravano currently serves as the President of the Institute for Fisheries Resources (IFR) in San Francisco. IFR is a strong advocate for sustainable fisheries representing its members of fishing women and men. The organization is responsible for supporting fishery research and policy initiatives at the regional, national and international venues. As a member of the Pew National Ocean Commission, he co-authored a report for a national ocean policy and sustainable fisheries that was submitted to Congress. He remains active in promoting these recommendations for sustainable fisheries and advocating for a national ocean policy as a member of the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative. He is a founding member of the San Mateo County Food System Alliance. He has received numerous awards from all levels of government and community organizations for his advocacy of sustainable fishing. He received his master’s degree in biology from Eastern Michigan University. After completing graduate school, he taught science and mathematics at Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley, CA. He spent many years as a commercial fisherman fishing for salmon and Dungeness crab. He lives in Half Moon Bay, CA.

Merchant Mariner Board Member: Capt. Gerard "Jerry" Pannell

Captain Pannell is a native of Long Island, New York. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation Management from the State university of New York's Maritime College at Fort Schuyler and completed graduate studies in Environmental Compliance from Massachusetts Marine Academy.

Captain Pannell's sailing career includes 13 years as Master on Commercial deep draft oil tankers and military cargo vessels in the international trades. He came ashore full-time in 2007 at the American Maritime Officers Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research (STAR) Center in Dania Beach FL,. as the Director of Member Training and Officer Development. In this position he ensures the 4000 USCG licensed deck and engine officers of American Officers continue to receive the highest level training and professional development that meets regulatory, contracted company and industry requirements.

Port Chaplain Rep. Board Member: Fr. Sinclair K. Oubre, J.C.L., MNI

Fr. Sinclair is a priest of the Diocese of Beaumont, and a native of Port Arthur, Texas. He attended the University of St. Thomas in Houston and Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received his bachelor degree. He did his graduate theological studies in Leuven, Belgium, and was ordained to the priesthood May 10, 1986. In 1997, he completed his JCL in Canon Law at Catholic University in Washington.

He is currently the Diocesan Director of the Apostleship of the Sea, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, and Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orange, Texas. He is the Executive Director and Port Chaplain of the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center, the Chaplain to the Sabine Area Central Labor Council.

On the national level, Fr. Sinclair served as the President of the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America from 2001-2013. He also served as the unlicensed deck department member on the US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Advisory Council from 1998-2013. He is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute, and serves as secretary to the Nautical Institute – Gulf Branch.

Fr. Sinclair is a member of the United States Merchant Marine, and holds a merchant marine credential as an AB-Limited, and holds a 100 ton near coastal master’s license. He sails through the Houston Seafarers International Union hall.

Recreational Boaters/Yachtsman Board Rep. Member: Captain William H. Watson

Maritime Security & Intelligence Consultant -Washington, DC

Captain William Hughes Watson, who represents yachting and recreational boating sector on the Administrative Board of the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America, is Founder and Managing Director of William Watson Group, LLC (WatsonGroup) in Washington, DC – A boutique consultancy dealing in Government Affairs, Security, Intelligence and Maritime Issues. He also serves on the Board of the National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy and also serves as Director of the Maritime Information Sharing & Analysis Center (Maritime ISAC) / Maritime Representative to the National Council of ISACS.

Over his diverse and expansive career, Capt. Watson has worked as an investigative journalist, editor or managing editor at five East Coast daily newspapers and as a senior editor at the pre-eminent international maritime weekly magazine (where he covered flag States, security and piracy / terrorism / crime issues); he has worked in flag State management, including dealing with security issues, regulatory affairs and casualty investigation (including the DEEPWATER HORIZON disaster); He has served as a delegate to both the United Nations and to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) where he served on the committee that drafted the ISPS code.; He has served as a senior executive in two international security firms and as a senior consultant to two others, all of which conducted numerous ISPS compliance audits at ports and terminals in the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Mr. Watson has worked in most of the 50 United States, in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Capt. Watson serves on the Advisory Board to America’s Ports Caucus Institute, which advises Congress on port and terminal related issues. In this role, his primary area of expertise is maritime security. He served on the Industry Advisory Group to the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) and is an active member of the Council of American Master Mariners and DACOR (Diplomats and Consular Officers - Retired).

Capt. Watson served as Chairman of the Maritime Security and Surveillance Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE; as keynote speaker at the Qatar Maritime Security Conference (QMARSEC); as commercial maritime subject matter expert / speaker at the Global Maritime Forum Workshop in Venice co-hosted by the U.S. and Italian Navies; as featured keynote speaker at the Council of American Master Mariners Annual General Meeting banquet; was a lecturer at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in-service training program in Quantico and at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) training program at MITAGS; and at numerous other conferences and meetings.

Capt. Watson served in and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the South Carolina Air National Guard. He was awarded the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service decoration and the Palmetto Service decoration. Mr. Watson still serves in the American Legion, the Air Force Association and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association.

Capt. Watson is an alumnus of the University of South Carolina and has lectured at American University in Washington, DC. and at the International Maritime Law Institute on Malta. He is a Certified Company and Vessel Security Officer. He is a 4^th Degree Knight of Columbus.

Contact information: 

William H. Watson P.O. Box 64, White Post, VA 22663 

Phone+1.202.222.5586; Email: [email protected] 

Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America serves in many capacities. The primary activities of the AOS-USA are as follows:

Cruise Ship Priest Program

AOS-USA provides priests for service onboard Cruise Ships, in order to provide Sacramental and Pastoral Care for the Passengers, Staff and Crew onboard. Each priest is vetted and has the approval of his Competent Authority to serve in this capacity each year. In addition to providing Sacramental Care, the priest is available for confidential counseling and spiritual guidance. During unexpected times of tragedy onboard, the priest provides comfort to the hurt or grieving, in addition to spiritual and pastoral care.

Port Ministry

AOS-USA member Port Chaplains serve in many ports throughout the United States, reaching out to mariners, fishermen, dock workers, workboat operators, their families, and all who work or travel on the waterways of the world. Often away from their homes, many have little support to help maintain lasting ties with their faith and families. AOS-USA member Port Chaplains seek to accommodate mariners' unique lifestyle and needs. Most importantly, they offer the Eucharist, and the sacramental and spiritual life of the Church to the people of the sea. They also seek to ensure a safe work environment, just contracts, a genuine welcome and safe haven while in port, spiritual renewal, communication with loved ones back home, and recreational possibilities.

The Official Prayer for AOS:

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on all seafarers: Our Lady, Star of the Sea, St. Peter, St. Andrew, pray for us. Lord, save us or we perish.” (Mt 8:25)

AOS-USA is a Catholic association of the Christian faithful that adheres to Catholic values, morals and theological teachings as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
It is to teach and witness to the Word of God and to serve God's people; especially seafarers, maritime personnel, and people of the sea; by fostering their growth and renewal, through prayer, study and Christian service. In addition, AOS-USA promotes the professional training of maritime ministers, and advocates for the People of the Sea.

“On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea, and half to the western sea...” - Zechariah 14:8

In 1920, Catholic port ministry was conceived and developed in Glasgow, Scotland, by Rev. Donald Macintosh, Arthur Gannon, and Peter Anson, who were concerned about the lack of witness the Church was showing aboard ship. Two years later they approached Pope Pius XI, who bestowed his blessings on the ministry and encouraged the Apostleship of the Sea to extend its mission to the oceans and shores of all the hemispheres.

at the American Maritime Officers STAR Center in Dania Beach, FL TBA

• AOS-USA CSP Manual Sixth Edition Revised Oct. 2017
• Mass of Our Lady Star of the Sea
• Motu Proprio Stella Maris
• Letter of Approval
• What to Do With the Interdenominational Service     
• Interdenominational Prayer Service
• Ecumenical Service
• AOS-Daily Prayers
• The Mercy Ocean
• The Mercy Ocean Prayers
• Stella Maris Prayers
• Guide Fishing for People
• Capt.- LaRue-Bro.-Marinus-O.S.B. Prayers