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 [email protected] and we will make every effort to help you.
If you would like to become a new parishioner, click here to register or you are invited to stop by the rectory 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.
Thank you,
Fr. Christopher Marino, Pastor (Email: [email protected])
Register to Become a Parishioner
Thank You Sisters for Your Service! You will be missed!
Dear Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church and School Community,
On December 23rd we will bid farewell to the Holy Spirit Sisters of Tanzania who have faithfully served Key West for many years. In September, Sr. Mary’s superiors determined that her health issues made it necessary for her to conclude her mission here after 15 years of dedicated and joyful service. Following that wise, yet painful, decision by Mother General, the religious congregation began to look for a sister competent to continue Sr. Mary’s parish outreach ministry. Mother Agnes recently informed us that such a sister was not available. We asked that Sr. Euphemia and Sr. Selina continue to serve The Basilica Parish. However, according to the constitution of their religious congregation there must be at least three sisters to form a community and Mother Agnes informed us, and communicated to the sisters, that their Mission to Key West would conclude at the end of December. We have been informed that they will celebrate the Feast of Christmas with their religious community.
As pastor, along with Fr. Baker, Fr. Louis and Deacon Batty, I am grateful to the many Holy Spirit Sisters who have served this Parish and Island throughout the years. The Basilica Church will honor Sr. Euphemia and Sr. Selina at all the English Masses on the weekend of December 22nd. More details to come…
Thank you sisters for saying “Yes” to your vocation and mission.
Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil (English):
6:00 pm
Sunday Mass (English):
7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am
Sunday Mass (Spanish):
12:00 noon
Sunday Mass (Haitian Creole):
6:30 pm
Daily Mass:
Monday – Saturday: 7:30 am
Special Services
Lauds (Morning Prayer):
7:15 am
Walking Rosary:
8am (after daily mass)
Perpetual Adoration Chapel:
24/7 (10 pm–6 am for adorers only)
Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Chapel:
3:00 pm daily
Confessions:
Saturday 5:30-6 pm, Sunday 30 minutes prior to each Mass
Help Build Our New High School
“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
Holiday Mass Schedule
A NEW TRADITION….. THANKSGIVING MASS
On Thursday, November 28th at 10:00 am we celebrate a full Mass with music. There will be no daily Mass at 7:30 am. Please bring something from your table—bread, flowers, wine— to be blessed by Father Marino.
Christmas Eve Masses
Tuesday Dec 24th
5:00 pm
Children’s Pageant
Mass
10:00 pm Mass
Music begins at 9:30 pm
Christmas Day Masses
Wednesday Dec 25th
10:00 am Mass
in English & Spanish
6:30 pm Mass
in Creole
Online Gift Shop 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.
Shop NowAll proceeds from the Gift Shop benefit The Basilica School.
NEW! Gift Shop/Uniform Distribution Hours
We will be moving the school uniform distribution to the Gift Shop. We will offer both religious gifts and uniform pickup for the school.
NEW Gift Shop/Uniform Store Hours
Sunday: 10am – 2pm
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 5pm
Sat: Closed
For information, call Sol Pardillo 305-498-4172.
Catholic Election Resources
In keeping with its mission, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) aims to assist Catholics in active and responsible participation in political life. Each election cycle, the FCCB offers several resources to help the faithful with the obligation to make informed voting decisions. The bishops neither support nor oppose candidates and do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote. The responsibility to make political choices rests with each individual in light of a properly- formed conscience. The resources are approved by the bishops of Florida for use in parish or diocesan publications and for posting online.
WELCOME VISITORS AND NEW PARISHIONERS
Welcome to The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea. You are welcome to pray in the historic Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Stations of the Cross
Garden. We thank you for your contributions for the vast needs of our Basilica, School and Parish Outreach.
For information on the Basilica please look through our website.
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Today’s readings paint a somewhat frightening picture of the end of time. But the Gospel ends with the assurance to faithful stewards that those who persevered will be saved.
Perpetual Adoration Chapel
Our Lord waits for you in the Eucharist. Come and visit Him. Come and sit with Him. Are you going to stand Him up? He waits! Come and let your cares fall to the ground and your hope rise as you sit in His presence and He ministers to you. Please consider committing to one hour each week and see what difference this makes in your life. If you are interested in taking part, please call Maria Del Pino at (305) 587-3545.
REGISTERING AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
If you are attending Mass here at The Basilica, please consider registering as a member. Our parish is made up of many groups—local families new and old, seasonal attendees, military personnel who may only live in Key
West for a few years, plus visitors from all over the world who attend Mass or tour our historic church and grounds during their stay. We hope that you will consider making The Basilica your spiritual home in Key West. By registering as a member, you are showing support. And in turn, we can remain in contact and send you updates on life at the Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea. Please click here to fill out our registration form.
Choir Practice
Practice is held every Thursday at 5:30pm in the choir loft. For questions or more information, please contact Kathy Roberts, Director of Music at [email protected].
Gabriel Project
If you know someone who is pregnant or with a newborn and may need assistance, please contact the Gabriel Project at: [email protected] or 786-492-2867.
“The Lord is with you do not be afraid.”
Luke 1:26
Religious Gift Shop/Uniform Store
Mon.-Fri. from 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sun 10am – 2pm
Closed Saturdays.
Our Gift Shop is located in the Basilica parking lot behind the Rectory building. We offer a wide selection of beautiful religious gifts, including prayer cards, pictures, statues rosaries, books and much more. Gift certificates are available as well. For information, call 305- 294-0651 or email us at [email protected].
ONLINE GIVING
Please click here to easily set up weekly donations via credit
card or ACH withdrawal from checking. At the end of the year we can provide you with a letter for your tax deduction. Thank you for your support.
DISCIPULOS DE LA MISERICORDIA
Creciendo en la Fe
Todos los Jueves a las 7:00 pm nos econtramos para crecer en nuestra vida de fe y profundizar nuestros conocimientos cristianos. Rezamos juntos, estudiamos las Sagradas Escrituras y los documentos de la Iglesia, compartimos nuestras vivencias como communidad y ayudamos a los que están en su preparación a la vida sacramental. Es un camino que vamos realizando todos juntos y abiertos con humildad a las inspiraciones de Espiritu Santo.
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.
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
Priests
Rev. Christopher Marino V.F., Pastor
Rev. Félière Louis, C.S., Parochial Vicar
Rev. John C. Baker, In Residence