Stella Maris International Service Center
History
Stella Maris International Service Center is a Catholic Institution of the diocese of Kaohsiung managed by the Scalabrinian Missionaries. The center is duly recognized by the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) that offers accommodation and shelter for both land and sea base migrants.The actual Stella Maris Center in the Diocese has been in existence for almost 40 years having been started in 1968 by the Jesuit Priest Fr. Joseph Donahue who wanted to providea safe place for the American Vietnam soldiers who weretaking their “Rest & Recreation” in Kaohsiung. At the endof the Vietnam War, Fr. Donahue’s attention was devoted to the increasing number of commercial ships, mostly with American crew, importing all sorts of goods in Taiwan. In 1992, as the seafarers’ faces were becoming more Asians, the ministry was taken over by the PIME Fathers. Eventually, the PIME Fathers decided to close their mission in Kaohsiung: the demands from the migrant workers needed a greater commitment from their Institute and the service to migrants was not in line with their charism. In February 1996 did the first Scalabrinian arrived in Kaohsiung and officially started the mission on July 1. The mandate given by the Bishop was clear and specific: assisting all migrant workers and coordinating the pastoral ministry for foreigners in the Diocese of Kaohsiung together with the responsibility of Apostleship of the Sea.
Objectives
“Called to serve, in a world without frontiers”---with this spirit, and the love and justice of Catholicism of our center, we serve and help the disadvantaged migrant workers regardless of their religions, nationalities and races. We assist the migrant workers to develop their own abilities of helping themselves, as well as to help others, and help preserve their basic living and working rights and benefits, and advocate humanity rights and dignity.
Stella Maris International Service Center is a Catholic Institution of the diocese of Kaohsiung managed by the Scalabrinian Missionaries. The center is duly recognized by the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) that offers accommodation and shelter for both land and sea base migrants.The actual Stella Maris Center in the Diocese has been in existence for almost 40 years having been started in 1968 by the Jesuit Priest Fr. Joseph Donahue who wanted to providea safe place for the American Vietnam soldiers who weretaking their “Rest & Recreation” in Kaohsiung. At the endof the Vietnam War, Fr. Donahue’s attention was devoted to the increasing number of commercial ships, mostly with American crew, importing all sorts of goods in Taiwan. In 1992, as the seafarers’ faces were becoming more Asians, the ministry was taken over by the PIME Fathers. Eventually, the PIME Fathers decided to close their mission in Kaohsiung: the demands from the migrant workers needed a greater commitment from their Institute and the service to migrants was not in line with their charism. In February 1996 did the first Scalabrinian arrived in Kaohsiung and officially started the mission on July 1. The mandate given by the Bishop was clear and specific: assisting all migrant workers and coordinating the pastoral ministry for foreigners in the Diocese of Kaohsiung together with the responsibility of Apostleship of the Sea.
Objectives
“Called to serve, in a world without frontiers”---with this spirit, and the love and justice of Catholicism of our center, we serve and help the disadvantaged migrant workers regardless of their religions, nationalities and races. We assist the migrant workers to develop their own abilities of helping themselves, as well as to help others, and help preserve their basic living and working rights and benefits, and advocate humanity rights and dignity.
