A Lasting Legacy for Seafarers
In 2013, Reverend Monsignor John FitzGerald took a visionary step that would create a lasting impact on the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. A devoted Navy Chaplain for nearly 30 years – who retired with a rank of Captain – Monsignor FitzGerald understood the unique challenges faced by seafarers—isolated from their families, often in need of spiritual care, and navigating difficult lives on the high seas. His deep commitment to this ministry led him to establish The Monsignor FitzGerald Fund for the Apostleship of the Sea, a lasting revenue stream to support AOS’s vital work, within the Catholic Community Foundation.
As Monsignor FitzGeralad’s fund has grown over the years, it now provides distributions that directly benefit the seafarers AOS serves. “Monsignor FitzGerald was the right person at the right time for this job,” Andy Middleton, Director for the AOS said. “He was a wonderful fundraiser and a people person, and, importantly, someone who genuinely cared about seafarers and understood the necessity of creating long-term financial stability for this ministry that aids them.”
The Monsignor FitzGerald Fund for the Apostleship of the Sea, built up over the past decade, serves as an auxiliary fundraising source for AOS, sources that also include donations from loyal donors, suggested contributions from participating ships, and annual fundraising events.
This year, distributions from the endowment played a key role in AOS’s response following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, offsetting the expense of SIM cards for the stranded Dali crew, so they could stay connected with their families at home. Distributions also helped pay for a day of sightseeing for crewmembers in Washington, D.C., offering them some much-needed respite. “These are the kinds of moments we want to create—where seafarers remember that, in their time of need, the Archdiocese of Baltimore saw, appreciated, and cared for them. They come away thinking of the Port of Baltimore, as ministered to by the Apostleship of the Sea, as a safe haven,” Middleton said.
Looking to the future, Middleton has ambitious goals for Monsignor FitzGerald’s fund. “We will use distributions to help seafarers stay connected to their faith,” he says. “Whether providing Catholic reading materials, prayer cards, or supporting outreach efforts to non-Catholic seafarers, we’re looking to evangelize the Catholic faith in a way that speaks to their hearts.”
“The Monsignor FitzGerald Fund for the Apostleship of the Sea is a perfect example of the Catholic Community Foundation working as intended,” Kim, Montgomery, Executive Director for the Foundation, said. “Monsignor FitzGerald’s desire to create lasting revenue for the Apostleship of the Sea has come to fruition. The AOS and seafarers across the globe are benefitting from his acute foresight of many years ago.”
Through The Monsignor FitzGerald Fund for the Apostleship of the Sea, Monsignor FitzGerald’s legacy of compassion for the world’s seafarers and their families, will long endure.
