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.
ABCD—LEGACY OF LOVE
We are humbled by your generosity and support of the Archbishop’s Charities and Development Drive (ABCD). Your sacrificial generosity to the ABCD truly bears witness to our faith and helps us to bring Christ to people no matter who they are or where they are.
If you have yet to respond to this year’s ABCD, we need you! Please prayerfully consider mirroring the love of Christ by putting your faith into action by making a gift today. Even a small gift can make a big difference. You can obtain a pledge envelope from the parish office, or you can make a gift online at www.isupportabcd.org.
Thank you and God bless you!
BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Lord our God,
We praise you for your Son,
Jesus Christ: He is Emmanuel,
the hope of the peoples,
He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
He is the Savior of every nation.
Lord God,
Let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign
of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May He come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
FIESTA DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE
(FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE)
La Misa de las Mañanitas a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe será celebrada el Lunes, 11 de Diciembre a las 11:00p.m. Habrá una recepcion después de la Misa en el portal de la Basilica.
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be celebrated on Monday, December 11, at 11:00 p.m. with “La Misa de las Mañanitas”. A reception will follow the Mass in front of the Basilica.
THE GIVING TREE
As has been our Advent tradition for many years, we will once again offer you the opportunity to help those in need of Christmas gifts. You are invited to select an ornament from the tree indicating the age of the children the weekend of December 2/3 and return the assigned unwrapped gifts by Sunday, December 10. The ornaments with a ‘zero’ are for newborns through one year old. Your unfailing generosity with this program is greatly appreciated. We are grateful for the initiative of Wesley House Family Services who has helped unite the benevolent efforts of our Parish with the Monroe County Sheriff Department, the Early Learning Coalition, the Key West Police Department, the SOS Foundation, the Salvation Army, the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition and Wesley House Family Services and to the coalition called “The Holiday Helpers of the Florida Keys”.
BULLETIN EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
Stay up to date with what is happening at Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea. Visit DISCOVERMASS. COM/subscribe and each week they will send you an email update with a link to the current week’s bulletin.
SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
December 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Patroness of the United States, our Archdiocese, Nicaragua and many countries throughout the world.
The Mass Schedule will be: Friday, December 8
7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (English)
6:00 p.m. (Spanish) and 7:00 p.m. (Haitian Creole)
The Nicaraguan Patronal Feast (Spanish) will be on
Sunday, December 10 at 12 Noon
Religious Education Returns
It is with great excitement that we announce the return of regular Religious Education classes in a classroom setting beginning on Thursday, October 19th. The Parish has formed a new Religious Education program team consisting of Ms. Helena Shivas, Ms. Anna Coppa, Ms. Kristin Haskins and Mrs. Maria Delpino. These wonderful ladies are excited to welcome our children back to the classroom this October.
Following the pandemic, we were forced to curtail our program to fit the safety measures prescribed for at that time. By God’s grace, we are now able to resume our complete program. We will be offering a Religious Education Program for kindergarten through seventh grade on Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Basilica School (700 Truman Ave). In addition, the Confirmation Class for eighth grade and up will continue to meet on Sundays at a new time of 6:00 p.m. This program will educate each child in their specific grade cohort, preparing them for the reception of the sacraments, and enable all the children of the parish to grow in love of God and each other.
You may also register by visiting the Rectory Office.
The next generation of the Church is rising up before our eyes. It is our privilege and duty to teach them about our loving God who desires to work within us and lead us in a life of purpose and joy. Give your child the gift of knowing Christ and help kindle within them a zeal to follow our Lord.
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
ENDOW Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women Book Club
The Basilica School will be hosting an iGuardian presentation on December 5, 2023, in the Basilica School library from 6:00-7:30 p.m. This event is for parents/adults only. Project iGuardian is presented by Homeland Security Investigations (HIS), the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Project iGuardian is designed to inform students, parents, educators and lawenforcement about the risks that children face in the online environment.
Presenter Bio:
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent (SA) Daniel Wise and HSI SA Olivia Henika will be presenting. SA Wise has been a special agent for 14 years, during which he has investigated a number of child exploitation cases, is currently certified in Cellebrite, ICAC, and a certified iGuardian presenter. SA Henika has been a special agent for 3 years, before which she worked for the Monroe County Sheriffs Office as an Intelligence Analyst.
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
NOW HIRING: ANNUAL AMERICORPS VISTA
As a Food Access AmeriCorps VISTA, you will assist with the implementation of SOS’s Nutrition and Agricultural Education Program, coordinate our Stock Island Pantry Volunteer Program, and work to increase SOS Foundation’s presence and engagement in the Keys community. Please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to SOS’s Director of Programs, Lisa Niederman, at lisa@sosfoundation.org.
RELIGIOUS GIFT SHOP
Business Hours
Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Candles will be available in the rectory during normal rectory office hours. For information, call Michelle at 305- 294-0651.
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.
We are the servants of God, each with his or her own task. We will be judged good stewards if, at His coming, He finds us ready and conscientiously pursuing the tasks to which we have been called.
If you are interested in advertising in our Sunday Bulletin please contact Jenny Lusk, our Diocesan Publications Representative, at telephone number 913-205-6387 or JLusk@Diocesan.com. Thank you!
For more information you may contact the Rectory Office at 305-294-1018.
DISCIPULOS DE LA MISERICORDIA
Creciendo en la Fe
Todos los jueves a las 7:00 p.m. nos encontramos 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 comunidad 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 del Espíritu Santo
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.
WALKING ROSARY
A walking rosary is said in the Grotto promptly after the 7:30 Mass each morning. Please come and pray with us any day or every day. Our Parish visitors are especially welcome. The rosary’s complement to daily Mass is a great way to start your day.
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.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will restart on Monday, September 11. These gatherings will feature thought provoking presentations and discussions addressing questions fundamental to the hungers of the human heart.
Already Catholic? No problem. We welcome anyone who would like to engage in a deeper formation of the interior life.
Classes will meet in the St Francis Room in the Klaus-Murphy Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For questions or if you’re needing to register for Christian Initiation – email Robert Wright at principal@basilicaschool.com.
THE 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
The Haitian Prayer Group (Creole) meets every Tuesday evening, and participates in the Healing Mass on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact: Roseline D’haiti Phone: (305) 747 9662
THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
PRAYER GROUP
A small group of Parishioners
have been gathering in prayer since
last spring under the direction of
Sister Marietha Kimaro. Based on
the tradition of our Parish this group
shall be called Light of Christ
Prayer Group, this group meets on
Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm in the St. Francis
room of the Klaus Murphy Center. All are invited to
attend.
For more information please contact Sister Marietha at
305-928-9496.
Please register as soon as possible at the Religious Education office in the Basilica School – 700 Truman Ave. (next to the Basilica of Saint Mary).
For more information call Ida Roberts, the Religious Education Program Director, at (305) 295-0306.
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.
The Haitian Prayer Group (Creole) meets every Tuesday evening, and participates in the Healing Mass on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact: Roseline D’haiti Phone: (305) 747 9662
THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
PRAYER GROUP
A small group of Parishioners
have been gathering in prayer since
last spring under the direction of
Sister Marietha Kimaro. Based on
the tradition of our Parish this group
shall be called Light of Christ
Prayer Group, this group meets on
Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm in the St. Francis
room of the Klaus Murphy Center. All are invited to
attend.
For more information please contact Sister Marietha at
305-928-9496.
Please register as soon as possible at the Religious Education office in the Basilica School – 700 Truman Ave. (next to the Basilica of Saint Mary).
For more information call Ida Roberts, the Religious Education Program Director, at (305) 295-0306.
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.
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