Apostleship of the Sea News - Farewell to Jo… 
(left) Jo Norton with her AOS Certificate, and (right) Maura Flannigan with Jo’s MNWB Certificate
The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) bade a fond farewell to (Mrs) Jo Norton as she stood down from her role at the Port of Berwick upon Tweed, where she has been working as a Volunteer Ship Visitor for almost four years. Jo has moved to Bournemouth to be near her daughter, and family.
Jo was one of the original members of the Ship Visiting team which was established in Berwick in early 2005, and she has provided continuity and consistency of the AOS ministry and outreach since that time. Jo has undoubtedly touched the lives of many seafarers and provided practical and pastoral help, and in the case of Catholic seafarers, (of which there are many), the opportunity to attend Mass and the Sacraments.
Before her departure, Jo was presented with a Certificate of Achievement & Recognition from the AOS together with a gift, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), to which all seafaring ministries are affiliated. She commented that she was sorry to be leaving Berwick, and would particularly miss the work she has been doing with seafarers. Jo was nominated and selected as one of the ‘Catholic Women of the Year’ in 2007.
Maura Flannigan who joined the AOS recently, has now completed her training and will take over the role of Volunteer Ship Visitor.
The AOS is always on the look out for volunteers who may wish to work in any of the ports in the region. Anybody interested should contact Tony McAvoy, AOS NE Regional Co-ordinator on 0771 392 4504
See also Diocesan Societies-Apostleship of the Sea