Sacraments
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is a process of introducing interested adults to our Catholic beliefs and practices. Adults interested in becoming Catholic are invited to attend weekly sessions at the parish. Meetings are held on Monday evenings at 7:15 PM (in English) and on Sundays at 11:00 AM (in Spanish) in the Spiritual Renewal Center, beginning in mid-September. These informal sessions lead to a more formal commitment of time called the Catechumenate. Through the different rites that are celebrated, the whole parish community becomes involved in the process.
The Catechumenate usually lasts about six months. The candidates and Catechumens are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil Celebration. The new Catholics continue to meet until Pentecost.
For more information, please call the Rectory at (305) 294-1018.
Baptism
Arrangements for baptisms can be made in the Rectory.
- English: Adult classes for parents and godparents of children to be baptized take place at 7:00 PM on the third Tuesday of each month in the Spiritual Renewal Center.
- Spanish: Adult classes for parents and godparents of children to be baptized take place at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month in the Spiritual Renewal Center.
For more information, please call the Rectory at (305) 294-1018.
Sacrament of Penance
Confessions can be heard on Saturdays, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, or by appointment. If by appointment, please call the Rectory at (305) 294-1018.
First Holy Communion
For more information, please call the Director of Religious Education at (305) 295-0306.
Confirmation
For more information, please call the Director of Religious Education at (305) 295-0306.
Marriage
How can one ever express the happiness of a marriage joined by the Church, strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by angels, and ratified by the Father? ... How wonderful the bond between two believers, now one in hope, one in desire, one in discipline, one in the same service! They are both children of one Father and servants of the same Master, undivided in spirit and flesh, truly two in one flesh. Where the flesh is one, one also is the spirit. [The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1642]
The Parish community of Saint Mary Star of the Sea congratulates you on your forthcoming nuptials and desires to assist you in preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. If you are planning to be married at Saint Mary Star of the Sea, we ask you to adhere to the marriage guidelines.
The marriage guidelines can be downloaded for your convenience via the following links:
- Marriage Arrangement Guidelines for Catholics from Other Parishes
- Marriage Arrangement Guidelines for Parishioners
For more information, please call the Rectory at (305) 294-1018.
Anointing of the Sick
Please call the Rectory at (305) 294-1018 if anyone is homebound, critically ill, or wishes to receive the Eucharist or the Anointing of the Sick.
"Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (Jas 5:14-15) [The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1526]
The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
- the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
- the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
- the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
- the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
- the preparation for passing over to eternal life.
[The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1532]
Holy Orders
If you are discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, may God bless you and guide you.
The following sites may be very helpful in your discernment: