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
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-Fri: 9am – 3pm, Sat: Closed, Sunday: 8am – 12pm.
For information, call Michelle Nelson at (305) 294-0651.
All proceeds from the Gift Shop benefit The Basilica School.
Shop NowABCD—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!
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE
DAILY MASS
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2-5 at 7:30 a.m.
HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023
8:00 a.m. Adoration Chapel Closes
7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament to follow until 9:00 pm
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023
2:30 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer
3:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion (Bilingual)
5:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross in English
6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross in Spanish
7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross in Haitian Creole
HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023
11:00 a.m. Blessing of the Easter food baskets in Polish
8:00 p.m. Vigil in the Holy Night
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD –
APRIL 9, 2023
7:30 a.m. Mass in the Basilica
9:00 a.m. Mass in the Basilica
9:05 a.m. Mass in the Stations of the Cross Garden
10:30 a.m. Mass in the Basilica
10:35 a.m. Mass in the Stations of the Cross Garden
12:00 noon Mass in the Basilica in Spanish
3:00 p.m. Adoration Chapel Re-Opens
6:30 p.m. Mass in the Basilica in Haitian Creole

RELIGIOUS GIFT SHOP
*NEW HOURS*
Mon.-Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
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 Michelle at 305- 294-0651.
2022 I40l ICON GOLF CART
Donated by Keys Auto Center
Only 1000 tickets to be sold.
Ticket Price: $50.00
Second Prize: $1000.00
Third Prize: $500.00
Drawing will be held on Sunday, May 14, 2023 following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. You need not be present to win. Winner must be 18 years or older and is responsible for tags, taxes, transfer, dealer prep and pick up.
All proceeds will benefit The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea.
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Prelude: “If We Only Believed” (Gayla Morgan
Procession: #137 “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
Offertory: #685 “I know That My Redeemer Lives”
Communion: #325 “Eat This Bread”
#692 “Where My Father Lives”
Anthems: “Offertory”( John Ness Beck)
“This Table, This Family” (Gayla Morgan)
Recession: # 580 “In the Day of the Lord”
ENDOW BOOK CLUB
Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women
Please join us as we resume our book club series and prepare for the Lenten season. Our next study will focus on the Christian Meaning of Suffering. We will work through John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter on suffering to understand why God allows it and how we can participate in it as a means to our sanctification.
When: Every Wednesday starting February 1st (through Lent)
Time: 7:10pm
Where: Basilica School Library
Who: Open to all women age groups high school and above
Religious Education
The Faith Formation Mass for students in Kindergarten to Sixth Grade is on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the Basilica.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, there will be two First Holy Communion Masses:
10:00 a.m. for Basilica School children
12:00 pm for Religious Education children
There will be one rehearsal for all First Holy Communicants and parents on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information please contact the Rectory office at 305- 294-1018 or via email at stmary@stmarykeywest.com.
Join us on Saturday, April 15th from 6:30-9:30pm at the DoubleTree Resort for an evening of fellowship, food and beverage — and learn all about the latest in the development of our new high school. We have lots of exciting updates to share!
Need a babysitter? We’ll take care of that! We will have childcare available that evening here at the school from 6:00 -10:00 p.m., for families who will be in attendance.
For more information or to RSVP to attend, please email Mrs. Jeanna Garrido at garrido@basilicaschool.com.
REVEAL CHRIST’S LOVE
Next week our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support displaced refugees, and bring Christ’s love and mercy to vulnerable people here and abroad. Please consider giving to this collection and reveal Christ’s love to those most in need. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.
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.
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.
As a foster parent, you can give a child the love and security they need. You can play a significant role in helping families heal and reunite and, when that is not possible, you can help children transition to a new home and a new family.
For more information about becoming a Foster Parent, please contact:
Megan Burgess
Foster Care Licensing Coordinator
Phone 305.809.5020
Gabriel Project
It has been nearly fifty years since the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision legalized the abortion of children in America. So, to not forget the millions of victims of abortion, January is recognized as Respect Life month. Our parish has several ministries that work year round to celebrate the gift of life while assisting expectant mothers in the Lower Keys. The Knights of Columbus gives generously to such causes, even constructing a memorial for the unborn just outside our beautiful grotto. On Sunday, January 24 following the 10:30 a.m. Mass, you are
invited to join them and the Catholic Daughters in the recitation of the holy rosary in the grotto to support respect life month.
The Gabriel Project is the parish’s newest respect life outreach, providing a myriad of services for mothers throughout our community. For more information, you are invited to visit: www.GabrielProjectKW.com.
If you’re interested in assisting the Gabriel Project, please give us a call at 786-492-2867.
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.
RCIA classes meet on Mondays in the St. Francis room of the Klaus Murphy Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 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. My hope is to springboard RCIA into a Theology on Tap type gathering. Once we get rolling in September, there will be more information to come.
Classes will meet in the St Francis room in the Klaus Murphy Center from 6:00 to 7:00pm-ish. Childcare available. Questions or if you’re needing to register for Christian initiation – email Robert Wright at pricnipal@basilicaschool.com.
FORMED is considered the “Netflix for Catholics” and provides extensive access to on demand videos, audio presentations, and eBooks for adults and children in English and in Spanish These resources can be easily accessed online and on any device anytime, anywhere.
To start your free membership, go to www.stmaryskw.formed.org. If prompted to enter a code, enter N4K8W9. If you need assistance or have any questions email them to formed@stmarykeywest.com. Enjoy!
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