Migrants and Seafarers Orientation at SJW Parish Sasa

Fr. Roy Mejias, Parish Priest of St. Joseph, believes that the areas covered by St. Joseph Parish, have a large number of Overseas Filipino Workers for both land and sea based, hence, it is necessary to organize a Migrants Ministry that is also in line with the Archdiocesan Program.

On January 31, 2026, Migrants and Seafarers Orientation was conducted at 3rd Floor New Pastoral Building of St. Joseph Parish attended by GKK families with OFWs (Migrants and Seafarers), Parish Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators of Pangulo sa Katilingban (PSK), GKK Servant Leaders (GSLs), group of PARECO (Parish Recognized Center Organization), and participants from Liturgy Committee.

In Fr. Roy’s message, he expressed his concern for the OFWs and wanted to show care and love for them, and to strengthen their family because they are also part of the Parish.

The first speaker, Mr. Arjay Duran explained that the Archdiocesan Commission on Migrant and Itinerant People, is an apostolate that seeks to provide care and spiritual guidance to Overseas Filipino Workers and their families. He also mentioned the meaning of migrant and presented the reasons why people migrate from one place to another, such as: seeking economic opportunities, to join the family in another place, for children’s education, to escape conflict, and due to climate change.

Mr. Jessie Moreno spoke about what a Seafarer is, their experiences, stress in work, the problems they encounter, the hardships they face while on board, and exposure to danger and weather. He mentioned that the Ministry provides pastoral care, spiritual guidance, for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), seafarers, and their families and collaborates with government agencies for the welfare of migrant communities.

Fr. Dexter Veloso is grateful to Fr. Roy for giving him the opportunity to conduct an orientation for Migrants and Seafarers at St. Joseph Parish. He said that this is already currently operating in the Archdiocese of Davao.

Fr. Dexter mentioned that few of the causes of Mental Health problems of the Seafarers is due to demand in work, and problems in family, who are left behind. However, he said that the number one strength of the Seafarers is PRAYER.

“God walks with His people, if we do our share, we are with the Lord who walks with them” – Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D.

(By Emy D. Gamorot)