St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 7 Frank Lane, Fort Monroe, VA 23651-1010 US - Home
Welcome
Weekly Bible Quote: "The Lord's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Ps 24:1bc-2)
What's New at St. Mary's...
- With Election Day so near, the Virginia Catholic Conference has issued a document to assist Catholics in the gathering of information prior to voting. Clicking on Voter Education Resources will take you to a comprehensive listing of information resources.
- Life, in all its stages, is a gift from God. Click on Life Line to read Kathleen Welker's latest article on the dignity of life in its waning years.
- St. Mary's Parish Pictoral Directory News: If you didn't have a chance to get your picture taken for the St. Mary's 2010 Parish Family Directory, you'll have another chance! You can register to have your picture taken for the Directory on Tuesday, November 17th from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Please contact the Parish Office or Susan Edgette at the numbers listed in the November 1 bulletin to schedule your appointment. Please don't let the directory go to press without your picture!
Parish Family Thanksgiving Dinner
You are invited to join us at St. Mary's Parish Family Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 22nd at 3:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Please R.S.V.P. on the sign-up sheets in the vestibule and in the Parish Hall. Since this is St. Mary's 150th Anniversary year of celebration, this Parish Family dinner promises to be very special. We hope you'll include the recipes with the dishes you bring to the feast for inclusion in our 150th Anniversary Cookbook! Or just email them to Barb Kelly or Shannon McCall, drop them in the collection baskets, use one of the 150th Anniversary Recipe forms located in the back of the church, or click on Recipe to download the form for printing.
And To keep up to date on all things Sesquicentennial, visit our new 150th Anniversary web page by clicking on St. Mary's 150th Anniversary.
- St. Mary's Health Ministry has created a Caregiver Survey for parishioners who serve as caregivers for a family member, other relative, or friend. Have you been wishing for some support in your duties? If so, the survey is available here. Click on Caregiver Survey, print one, fill it out, and return it to us so that we will better know how to assist you.
- Are you searching for greater spiritual depth? Learn about St. Francis de Sales' approach to God by picking up a pamphlet located in the back of the church and contacting Pat Wharry at the number listed in the bulletin.
- Do you wish you knew someone to turn to when your car dies, or perhaps when you just need someone to talk to? St. Mary's Wish List is here. Bring your wishes in written form to Mass and, in turn, consider helping to make someone else's wish come true. Look for submitted wishes in the Parish Hall. Let's share our talents!
Take Note:
The second collection this weekend benefits our schools, Peninsula Catholic High and St. Mary Star of the Sea School.
CCD classes resume on Sunday, November 1st.
St. Mary's Parish Office will be closed Wednesday afternoon, November 4 and all day Thursday & Friday, November 5 and 6.
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. Click on VCC Insert to learn about the Virginia Catholic Conference's stance on current and future biotechnology legislation. Let's stand up for what we believe!
Retrouvaille - a lifeline for troubled marriages - is comprised of couples helping couples put the pieces back together to rebuild loving relationships. The next gathering is scheduled for November 6 - 8 in Virginia Beach.
St. Joseph's is offering a Telephone Prayer Ministry beginning Friday, November 6. Those who want someone to pray with them or to offer a prayer for a special intention may contact the ministry on Fridays between 1:00 and 8:00 pm. You'll find contact information in the November 1 bulletin.
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.
Dates To Remember:
Anniversaries on the Peninsula in 2010
In addition to St. Mary's 150th anniversary, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia will also be observing their 150th Anniversary in 2010, while the city of Hampton & St. John's Episcopal Church will each be celebrating their 400th Anniversary!
150th Anniversary News!
Our year-long Sesquicentennial Anniversary celebration is underway. Don't forget to visit our one-stop guide to 150th Anniversary news and events. Go to St. Mary's 150th Anniversary to check out the latest. Our next big event is the Parish Family Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 22nd in the Parish Hall.
40 Days for Life Rosary Campaign
The Knights of Columbus, Council 511, will sponsor 40 Days of prayer for Life to end abortion in conjunction with the National 40 Days for Life Campaign. the Rosary will be recited on each of those 40 days by the 40 Days for Life Organization. Parishioners are asked to come and take part in the recitation of the Rosary during this campaign. The Rosary will be recited at St. Joseph's every day beginning September 23rd and ending November 1st. Sign-up sheets will be available in the back of St. Joseph's Church each evening for those who wish to lead a decade of the mysteries for that day. The October 25 bulletin contains more information and the daily Rosary recitation schedules.
Catholic Daughters of the Americas November Meeting
The next meeting of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court of the Holy Family #2616 is scheduled for Sunday, November 1st, at 1:30 pm in Cordier Hall at St. Joseph's Church.
First Friday
Ladies of the Parish are invited to join us for 12:05 Mass on Friday, November 6 (First Friday). We will gather for lunch afterward at The British Pub, 4200 Kilgore Avenue, Hampton.
Implementation Training Day
On November 7, the Office of Pastoral Planning is holding an Implementation Training Dayfor the Eastern Vicariate Parishes. The training will take place at St. Grergory the Great Catholic Church in Virginia Beach from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm. All pastors and parishioners are encouraged to attend. Refer to the October 25 bulletin for complete details.
Admissions Open House for the 2010-2011 School Year
Peninsula Catholic High School will conduct an Admissions Open House for prospective students and their families on Sunday, November 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Refer to the November 1 bulletin for more information.
Also in the November 1 bulletin:
All Souls Day Mass Schedule
Eucharistic Adoration
Information on free pharmacy counseling
Men's ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) Retreat
St. Mary's Prayer Quilting Group Update - Their first group quilt will be raffled off at the upcoming Parish Thanksgiving Dinner! Check the bulletin for ticket prices and other information.
Check the Bulletin for complete details on these and other upcoming events.
Upcoming Meetings:
Liturgy Committee, Tues, Nov. 17-7:00 pm
Finance Committee, Thurs, Nov 19-4:30 pm
Parish Council, Tues., Nov, 24 - 7:00 pm
Many Thanks!:
We want to thank our volunteers for all that they do to enhance parish life at St. Mary's! You are really important to our parish family and we are very grateful for each and every one of you.
Needed:
Tuition Angels are needed! Go to the November 1 bulletin for more information.
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.
Contact Us
St. Mary Star of the Sea
7 Frank Lane
Ft. Monroe, VA 23651-1010
Phone: (757) 722-9855
Fax: (757) 726-0083
If you wish to express your generosity through gifts, bequests, memorials or endowments, please contact the Parish office.
site last revised: October 31, 2009
Questions? Comments? Please email Kate Luke.