Newark Archdiocese to Dedicate New Chapel at Port Newark The new 2,800 sf building, complete with worship space to accommodate about 100 individuals daily and offices for counseling and other ministerial duties, replaces a small “temporary” trailer that for almost 20 years was the center of the Archdiocese’s outreach to some 8,000 Catholic seafarers, longshoremen and Port workers who work in or call at Port Newark/Elizabeth each week. That number is expected to more than double in the next couple of decades as Port Newark/Elizabeth expands as a hub for shipping and international commerce. “This building is a cornerstone of the Port community,” said Archbishop Myers. “We’re truly thankful that many organizations and people within the Port community, as well as other benefactors, recognized the Church’s need for a larger, permanent space for worship and social outreach. Their financial support and volunteered services to build this beautiful chapel enabled us to realize a dream of an expanded Catholic presence in the Port.” The name of the new Chapel, Stella Maris, is Latin for “Star of the Sea,” a term recognized by seafarers throughout the world as a symbol for Mary, the Blessed Mother. According to Fr. Mario Balbi, Catholic chaplain for Port Newark/Elizabeth for more than a decade, “When Catholic sailors stop at any port in the world, no matter what language they speak, they will simply say to someone on the dock ‘Stella Maris.’ They know these two words will lead them to the Catholic chapel.” Archdiocese to Dedicate New Port Newark Chapel Page 2 of 2Although the new Stella Maris Chapel will serve as the base for Catholic worship and services in the Port, Fr. Balbi and other Catholic chaplains who work in Port Newark/Elizabeth also spend considerable time ministering to sailors directly on ships. Because the nature of international shipping today often results in ships being in port for only a few hours to unload cargo, priests often say Mass, hear confessions, and provide clothing, books and other supplies to sailors on a ship’s deck or in a crew’s living quarters. Typically, chaplains at the Port visit up to 10 ships daily. Immediately after the Mass of Dedication, which will be open only to invited guests, Archbishop Myers will bless a World Trade Center memorial consisting of steel beams from the World Trade Center, which has been placed on the Stella Maris Chapel grounds. The Archbishop and members of the Port community will then celebrate the new Chapel opening with a public ceremony and luncheon at noon. Members of the media are invited to attend the blessing of the memorial and the public reception. Tours of the new Stella Maris Chapel interior will be available at this time as well.
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