St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 7 Frank Lane, Fort Monroe, VA 23651-1010 US - Home

Weekly Bible Quote: "Justice shall flower in His days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.  May He rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." (Ps 72:7-8)

What's New at St. Mary's...

St. Mary Star of the Sea
Weekend Mass Schedule

SATURDAY               5:00 pm 
 SUNDAY                    9:30 am 

To download and print a detailed Peninsula Cluster Mass Schedule, complete with Confession times and locations, go to Mass Schedule.

• Click on Youth to view January's planned activities for St. Mary's youth.

• The second collection at our Christmas Masses benefited all the needy in our community who are served by the programs offered through  Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia.  Go to Catholic Charities for details about their work throughout the year. 

• The 2011 Diocesan Appeal is underway.  This year's theme is "Faith for Today; Hope for Tomorrow".  Go to Diocesan Appeal to read the latest.

• Click on CLUSTER for the Parish Cluster information page.  There you will find a synopsis of each of the Peninsula Cluster meetings - and more. 

• St. Mary's Youth Group is asking the youth of the parish for ideas for upcoming events, activities, outings, volunteer opportunities, etc.  Send an email to Erin Lazar, Youth Group Leader, with your suggestions and ideas.                                          
    
   

Take Note:

The H.E.L.P. Food Pantry still needs our support, especially at this time of year.  Donations can always be brought to the Parish Hall.

The second collection this weekend benefits our Parish Social Activities Ministry. 

There will be a priest available by appointment each Friday after the 12:05 Mass.  Call the Parish Office at the number listed in the bulletin to make an appointment.

The celebration of Mass is an act of the whole assembly, "a corporate act".  To read about "The Worshiping Assembly at Mass", go to Worshiping.

"The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass" is the subject of the latest excerpt from the series, Welcoming the Roman Missal Third Edition.  To read more, refer to Holy Communion at Mass. 

The new translation of the Missal seeks to clarify the connection between the prayers of the Mass and the text of scripture.  Some of the most noticeable changes reflect the words of scripture very closely.  Read more about the changes and the reasons for them by clicking on Scripture and the Mass.

Understand the significance of the ministries and roles in which we, as members of a Christian community, participate.  Refer to Ministries & Roles and read about the subject as explained from the perspective of the Roman Missal.   

In the celebration of Mass, we pray "with our whole person".  "Postures and Gestures at Mass" takes a closer look at the meaning behind what we do while participating in the Mass.

To gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Liturgy refer to 
"Liturgical Participation".

With our busy daily lives, we often find it difficult to stop and reflect, spend time with loved ones, quiet down, and pray.  Celebrating the Lord's Day offers insights, guidelines, and suggestions on how to keep Sunday, the Lord's Day, holy, even when you aren't able to "rest" for the entire day.

The Mass follows a "fundamental structure which has been preserved throughout the centuries".  Want to know more about the parts of the Mass?  See Parts of the Mass.

All are welcome to join in praying the Rosary each Sunday morning at 9:00 am prior to the 9:30 am Mass. 

Dr. Martin Cruz, St. Mary Star of the Sea's pianist/organist for our Sunday 9:30 am Mass, has produced a CD of various religious hymns.  Originally created in honor of our parish's 150th Anniversary, the CD was produced exclusively at St. Mary's and highlights our own piano and organ.  You can hear Martin's CD in the Parish Hall where it is also available for purchase.  All proceeds from the sale of his CD go to St. Mary Star of the Sea.  Come in to listen to some very beautiful music.     

Shannon McCall, St. Mary's cantor at the Saturday 5:00 pm Mass, has a website that showcases her outstanding musical talent and offers visitors to the site an opportunity to hear samples of selections from her cd, "Aves & Angels".  The cd is available for purchase, as are the individual selections.  Album notes, reviews, etc. are also included.  The music is not to be missed.  Shannon and her accompanist, John Siderius, organist at our 5:00 pm Mass, delight the listener with "seven settings of the Ave and other angelic songs" in a "wide range of styles".  To get to the site, click on Aves & Angels.

A guide titled  "EMERGENCY EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS Taking Responsibility for Your Safety" is available by contacting St. Mary's Parish Disability Advocate.  Simply click on Barb Kelly to request a copy of this guide for people with disabilities and other activity limitations.  Be sure you and your loved ones are as prepared as possible should the weather or some other event make evacuation necessary.

Let our legislators know what's important to you.  Sign up for the FREE VA Catholic Conference's email advocacy network at www.vacatholic.org. The site provides predrafted messages which can be personalized.  The messages are then automatically sent to the correct Congressman. 


The latest parish bulletin has been posted.  Please check our Parish Bulletins Archive.
       
   
Food and clothing for the needy can be donated at Mass times and during office hours. All donations are welcome and appreciated.  Please bring items to the parish hall.  


Homebound or Hospitalized

Do you know someone who is currently unable to attend Mass and would like to receive the sacraments?  Please call St. Mary's Star of the Sea Parish Office with the parishioner's contact information.  A priest will visit them for anointing and see them periodically.  A lay Eucharistic Minister will visit the sick weekly bringing the Eucharist.  Your help in bringing and keeping this information up-to-date is essential and very much appreciated.

Anniversary News:

 Want to view St. Mary's 150th Anniversary in pictures?  Just click on ALBUM!  This will take you to a web page where you can view the pictures individually or play the slideshow.  The photos, taken at different times and events by a variety of parishioners, are provided by Dr. Bill McCall, our chief photographer for St. Mary's Anniversary year.  Questions or comments about the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Photo Album should be directed to Barb Kelly, our webmaster, by clicking on:  Feedback.


If you were unable to attend our Sesquicentennial Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 12, 2010, or if you just want to revisit the wonderful celebration, click on 150th Anniversary Mass to view the program.  To view other highlights of St. Mary's Sesquicentennial Year, select from the following website pages:

Invitation to Anniversary Mass 


Anniversary Mass 


St. Mary's History - Part 1
St. Mary's History - Part 2
  St. Mary's History - Part 3 



Valentine's Weekend, February 13 & 14, 2010
Wedding Weekend Saturday 
Wedding Weekend Sunday 



The masses on March 13 and 14, 2010, commemorated the sacrements of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at St. Mary's.  As an added treat for St. Patrick's Day, and to recall the original Irish laborers who built the moat and attended St. Mary's at its beginning, the music added a Celtic touch.


Armed Forces Weekend Mass - Saturday
Armed Forces Weekend Mass - Sunday 

   


Still to Come... 

REMINDER:  There's still time to share a favorite family recipe with your St. Mary's Parish family!  We'd love to include it/them in our 150th Anniversary Cookbook.  Recipes can be submitted from our Anniversary web page or by clicking on Barb Kelly or Shannon McCall.  
 
Want to remember all things Sesquicentennial?  Visit our 150th Anniversary web page by clicking on St. Mary's 150th Anniversary. 

 

 Save the Date:

BON SECOURS FOUNDATIONAL FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE PREPARITORY COURSE - 2012

 This three-part course is being offered beginning January 27, 2012.  Completed course applications, covenants, and pastoral endorsement forms must be returned by December 16, 2011.  This course will be limited to 15 participants.  Contact Lisa Wright-Martin for complete information and packet.   


Upcoming Meetings:

None Currently Scheduled.


Many Thanks!:

Our heartfelt thanks to Kate Luke for her years of service to St. Mary's as Administrative Assistant.  We wish Kate a rewarding retirement and we're happy to know she'll remain with us as Bookkeeper and, of course, as part of St. Mary's Parish Family.



Did You Know?...

St. Mary's Parish Disability Advocate is available to assist you even outside of Mass.  Is there a disability or support group you'd like to learn more about?  Do you have questions or suggestions that would help you or a family member participate more fully in the Mass, or in Parish life?  Click on Barb Kelly to email your question, concern, or suggestion. 

There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall for all who wish to provide refreshments for the social gathering following the Sunday 9:30 am Mass.  We all enjoy visiting after mass and we thank all who have contributed the delicious refreshments on past Sunday mornings.

St. Mary's is still in need of a volunteer Director of Social Activities.  Please call the parish office if you can help.

When you shop at Food Lion and use your MVP card, a portion of your purchases can be used to support Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia.  Check the bulletin for more information.

There is a website and phone number which will help you locate the Catholic Churches and Mass times in your area when you are traveling.  To access the website, click on Mass Times for Travel or consult this week's bulletin.

As of June 1, 2009, donations of clothing, houshold items, and furniture for H.E.L.P. will be taken on FRIDAYS ONLY from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Call the H.E.L.P. main office at the number listed in the bulletin.  This does not include donations to the Food Pantry.  The Food Pantry donation procedure will be unchanged. 

 

 


In This Week's Bulletin...

Financial Report dated Jan. 8, 2012.
Parish Office Holiday Schedule.
Weekly Mass Intentions.
R.C.I.A. Information.
Confirmation Class Information.
Mass Attendance Report.
2012 Calendars Available.

If you wish to express your generosity through gifts, bequests, memorials or endowments, please contact the Parish office.


Contact Us:
St. Mary Star of the Sea
7 Frank Lane
Ft. Monroe, VA 23651-1010
Phone: (757) 722-9855
Fax: (757) 726-0083

site last revised: Jan. 26, 2012
Questions? Comments? Please email Barb Kelly.