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| The Rev. Jerry Jecewiz |
Dear Parishioners,
One of our active parishioners, John DeSilva, is a Marine Captain, who is currently commanding a ship a half-a-world away. John newest book (he's published several) is Troubled Waters: Mv Adventures at Sea. John and his wonderful family arrived in L.I.C. from Sri Lanka a few years ago.
Although I enjoyed skimming the volume and noting how John keeps his Catholic faith in focus, I invited another parishioner (and bibliophile) Brenda Frenette to offer us a report on this work.
In this memoir, Captain John DeSilva describes daily life aboard a cargo vessel at sea for months at a time, traveling to numerous exotic ports in faraway lands, during its voyage around the Cape of Africa.
The crew of 23 consists of various ethnic backgrounds and languages, and runs the gamut from able-bodied seamen to incompetent and villainous troublemakers who must be dealt with.
As the tropical temperatures soar, fights break out and machines break down. An infestation of rats and roaches forces the men to abandon ship for a few days for fumigation.
Much of the Captain's time is spent dealing with local petty officials who demand bribes be- fore handing over important documents, permits and passes. The foundering shipping company can- not cope and is unresponsive to all these problems. It is clear that all these responsibilities are on the Captain's shoulders. Luckily, he is up to the task.
Meanwhile, the sea can be both beautiful and hazardous; the voyage continues. In one harrowing scene we see Captain DeSilva berthing a 485 foot-long ship in an unmarked and uncharted channel. It is then that we see the Captain's knowledge and precision in navigating his vessel.
Throughout the four-month voyage, Captain DeSilva is sustained by his strong faith in God. He constantly asks for God's guidance whether in mediating among various groups, or in advising young men who want to consider the seafaring life, or in restoring a young prostitute to the bosom of her family.
The journey concludes with Captain DeSilva's return to his loving family. You will be pleased to note that Captain DeSilva and his family have been members of St. Raphael's for several years. We are blessed!
Thank you, Brenda. Captain John looks forward to obtaining his U.S. citizenship in the near future and, hopefully, commanding local vessels in nearby waters. Hope you get to meet this fine man at St. Raphael's. As they say, one never knows who is worshipping with you in the next pew!
- Father Jerry Jecewiz
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