We are Stella Maris Canada

Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea) Canada is part of a global Roman Catholic organization that cares for seafarers and fishers and their families, and all who make a living from the sea.  Our chaplaincies at seaports across Canada offer pastoral and practical care primarily to international workers who visit us aboard large cargo vessels and cruise ships.  We serve all seafarers, irrespective of nationality and creed, and additionally respond to the particular spiritual needs of Catholic crewmembers who are away from their home communities for extended periods of time.

Meet the Team

  • Most Reverend Thomas Dowd

    Bishop-Promoter for Maritime Ministry for the Territory of Canada

    Bishop of Sault Ste-Marie (former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal)

    On March 21, 2024, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) re-appointed Bishop Dowd for a 4th three-year term as the Episcopal-Promoter for Stella Maris Canada.

  • Dcn. Dileep Athaide

    National Director for Maritime Ministry in Canada

    Port Chaplain at Vancouver, British Columbia

    Deacon Dileep Athaide has been providing pastoral care to seafarers since his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Vancouver in December 2015. He also serves the parish of Sacred Heart Church in South Delta, and is the Spiritual Advisor of Our Lady of Guadeloupe Chapter of Magnificat Canada. Deacon Dileep is a retired college professor in Geology and Adult Foundation Studies and a former Labour leader.

    On November 27, 2025, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) re-appointed Deacon Athaide as National Director for Maritime Ministry, Stella Maris Canada, for a second three-year renewable term, ending 31 August 2028.

Port Chaplains

Each of our Stella Maris Canada chaplains has been appointed by the bishop of their Catholic diocese, and most work alongside ecumenical partners and volunteers in their port ministry.

  • Dcn. Philip Yuson

    Victoria, British Columbia

  • Fr. Michael Tran

    Port Alberni, British Columbia

  • Fr. Rector Tolentino

    {Also serves as Pastor of Annunciation Parish in Prince Rupert, BC}

    Prince Rupert, British Columbia

  • Fr. Dominic Apaatah

    {Also serves as Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kitimat}

    Kitimat, British Columbia

  • Dcn. Dileep Athaide

    Vancouver and Surrey-Fraser, British Columbia

  • Fr. Eslin Pereiria, CMF

    Vancouver, British Columbia

  • [Vacant]

    Windsor, Ontario

  • Dcn. Brian Dunn

    Hamilton, Ontario

  • Dcn. Stephane Zara

    Hamilton, Ontario

  • Dcn. Alban Soares

    Oshawa, Ontario

  • Fr. Roman Dusanowskyj

    {Also serves as Pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Catharines, ON}

    Welland Canal, Ontario

  • Dcn. Paul Racette

    Trois-Rivieres, Quebec

  • [Vacant]

    Quebec City, Quebec

  • [Vacant]

    Saguenay, Quebec

  • Fr. Benjamin Ripley, OFM

    {Also serves as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Roch parishes in Montreal}

    Montreal, Quebec

  • Fr. Ralph McRae

    Saint John, New Brunswick

  • [Vacant]

    Sydney, Nova Scotia

  • Dcn. Art Mitchell

    Halifax, Nova Scotia

  • Fr. Anthony Bidgood, C.Ss.R

    St. John’s, Newfoundland

Locations and Contact Information for
Stella Maris Canada Chaplains

Acknowledgments

Thank you Josh and Therese for helping build this website!