WELCOME VISITORS AND NEW PARISHIONERS
Welcome to The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea. Whether you are a visitor or new to our parish, interested in becoming Catholic, seeking to return to the practice of your faith or an active member of our parish, we are pleased that you have come to our website and we will do all that we can to assist you. If you cannot find the information that you are seeking on this website, please call our parish office (305) 294 1018 or email us at stmary@stmarykeywest.com and we will make every effort to help you.
If you are a new parishioner, you are invited to stop by the Rectory to register and let us know how we may be of service to you.
You are welcome to pray in the historic Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Stations of the Cross Garden, to adore the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel and to visit our Gift Shop.
Pamphlets, leading you on a self-guided walking tour of the Basilica, are available at the entrance to the Basilica or you can visit our Web App at http://bsmkw.com on your mobile device.
“With a hymn composed in the eighth or ninth century, thus for over a thousand years, the Church has greeted Mary, the Mother of God, as “Star of the Sea”: Ave maris stella. Human life is a journey. Towards what destination? How do we find the way? Life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history. But to reach him we also need lights close by—people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way. Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us? With her “yes” she opened the door of our world to God himself; she became the living Ark of the Covenant, in whom God took flesh, became one of us, and pitched his tent among us (cf. Jn 1:14).
Pope Benedict XVI from his Encyclical Letter, Spe Salvi
Help Build Our New High School
Online Gift Shop Now Open!
Our online gift shop is now open. You may now purchase items and have them shipped directly to you. If you have visited our store and don’t see some of our items online, give us a call and we will ship the order to you.
Gift Shop Hours
Mon-Thur: 9am – 3pm, Fri & Sat: Closed, Sunday: 8am – 12pm.
For information, call Michelle Nelson at (305) 294-0651.
All proceeds from the Gift Shop benefit The Basilica School.
PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVEDFIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On Saturday, May 4 our young Parishioners received their First Holy Communion. May we pray for them and their families.
Lord Jesus,
Bless the children who have come forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.
May this day be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist. Give them a hunger for this sacred foods that they turn to you for comfort, guidance and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.
Thank you for their innocence and goodness. May their hands, extended in anticipation of your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this Sacred Sacrament.
Amen
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, there will be two First Holy Communion Masses:
- 10:00 a.m. for Basilica School students
- 12:00 p.m. for Religious Education students
Rehearsals for First Communicants and their parents will be Wednesday, May 1: 6:00 p.m. for Religious Education Students, 7:00 p.m. for Basilica School Students.
The 10:00 a.m. First Communion Mass will be live streamed on Saturday May 4 on Youtube. You may view it using this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y5xqiHkVOMc?si=qGkupM_h6Rg7S6mT
BACCALAUREATE MASS
To honor our Key West High School Graduates of 2024, there will be a Baccalaureate Mass on:
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Jesus’ commandment is that His disciples love on another, even to the point of laying down their lives, if necessary.
What gifts of myself – my skills and talents, my time and resources – will best demonstrate my love for God’s people.
ENDOW
Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women Book Club
Please join our book club series/study with Mulieris Dignitatem On the Dignity and Vocation of Women.
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Basilica School Library
Who: Open to all women age high school and above
Religious Gift Shop
Business Hours
Mon – Thu: 9am – 3pm
Sunday 8am – 12 Noon
Candles will be available in the rectory during normal rectory office hours. For information, call Michelle at 305- 294-0651.
Mother's Day
As is tradition in our Parish, all the Masses on Mothers Day, May 12th, weekend are offered for the intentions of your mother: living or deceased. You are welcome to write the name of your mother on the envelopes that can be found in you stewardship package or in the pews and place them in the offertory baskets.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession will now take place in the refurbished
confessionals in the back of the Basilica. Confessions are on Saturdays from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS COURT STAR OF THE SEA & LILLEEN WARREN SCHOLARSHIPS
The Catholic Daughters will be presenting Two $750.00 Scholarships to our local Catholic graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college next year. Applications are available at the rectory office. Please return your completed application to the rectory by 4:00 pm, Monday, May 13, 2024.
For more information please contact: Iris Bernreuter at iriserb@aol.com or call 305-744-8835.
Safe Environment Requirements
In order to volunteer, all parents/guardians must complete the requirements established by the Archdiocese of Miami for the safety of all children. The requirements include a Level II FDLE background check as well as completing the VIRTUS safe environment training.
The VIRTUS course is now available online. Create a Virtus account. Make sure that you list St. Mary Star of the Sea Basilica (School) as one of the places you wish to volunteer.
Read and sign (electronically) the Archdiocese’s Volunteer Pledge. It is part of the Virtus registration process. Complete the online Virtus class Protecting God’s Children. (It takes 60- 90 minutes to complete.) For more information, please contact our school’s Safe Environment Coordinator, Ms. Eileen Dolan-Heitlinger at edh@basilicaschool.com.
Perpetual Adoration Chapel
Everyone is welcome to spend some quiet time with Jesus in our Adoration Chapel. May we take advantage of this great opportunity to be in the presence of the Body of Christ. Come and let Him transform you. If you are interested in participating, please call Maria Del Pino at (305) 587-3545.
Bereavement Meetings
If you are working your way through the grieving process from the death of a spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend, be reminded that grief support meetings are available to you every Thursday at 7:15 pm in the St. Francis Room of the Klaus Murphy Center. All bereaved are invited to receive support.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the leadership team for this ministry, please contact Velma Christian at the Thursday evening meeting.
Gabriel Project
If you know someone who is pregnant or with a newborn and may need assistance, you can contact the Gabriel Project at: hello@gabrielprojectkw.com or by calling us at:786-492-2867.
“The Lord is with you do not be afraid.” Luke 1:26
SOS Mission
This Sunday, May 5, as every first Sunday of the month, we are distributing grocery bags
to replenish the food pantry. The bags are imprinted with those items most needed, but anything you can provide will help.
You are welcome to place your charitable donations of non-perishable food for the Star of the Sea Outreach Mission by the Saint Joseph altar. Thank you.
Haitian Prayer Group
The Haitian prayer group has begun meeting on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Basilica.
The Basilica School: Fostering growth in spiritual,
academic, cultural, and social development.
To make a donation, please visit
www.basilicaschoolkeywest.com or call 305-294-1031.
CONTACT US
The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea
Address
The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea
1010 Windsor Lane
Key West, FL 33040
Phone/Fax
305-294-1018 Office
305-292-8096 Fax