THE ECCLESIAL ELEMENT OF WORSHIP AT MARY STAR OF THE SEA HAS TEN MAJOR
COMPONENTS:
MASSES, SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM, OF RECONCILIATION, PERPETUAL
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION APOSTOLATE, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, CHOIRS, ALTAR
SERVERS, CHILDREN'S LITURGY, LITURGICAL PLANNING COMMITTEE AND DEVOTIONS.
BAPTISM (Children)
Please call the rectory (310) 833-3541 fro an appointment four weeks prior to
the celebration of the Sacrament, or
Sandra Scalo, Baptism
coordinator: (310) 833-3933. Click here for:
Present: Baptisms are scheduled on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 2:45 p.m. in the Church. Baptismal Catechesis is scheduled for the first and third Sundays of each month in the school.
There is a procedure which takes place prior to the class instruction. A personal interview with the parents is arranged by appointment. Parents and godparents are required to attend one instruction class.
Spanish Baptisms are scheduled by appointment only and take place at 2:45 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION APOSTOLATE
Director: James Hall Phone:(310) 833-3541
History: Established in February, 1995, after the former convent chapel sanctuary was converted into a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. In October, 1995, the former bapistry of the parish church was converted into a permanent Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.
The apostolate is coordinated by a director and a secretary. Perpetual Adoration is observed in the parish church.
EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE HOLY
COMMUNION
Director: Annette Shannon-Batinovich Phone:(310) 833-1459
History: After a time of reorganization, the first Special Ministers of the Eucharist received intensive training and were commissioned in the fall of 1982.
There are 104 trained Ministers, women and men, who serve at all weekend and daily Masses and funerals. The Eucharistic Minister Director directs the training, coordinates meetings and supervises the schedule.
LECTORS
Director: Annette Shannon-Batinovich Phone:(310) 833-1459
History: The lector program was reorganized in 1984; lectors received comprehensive training through archdiocesan workshops. The lectors participate in an annual day of prayer to promote ongoing spiritual formation.
There are 44 Lectors who serve at each liturgical celebration on a rotating schedule. The schedule is supervised by the Chairperson of the lector organization.
CHOIRS
Director: Jelil Romano Phone:(310) 519-8813
Choirs and cantors participate in four of the weekend liturgies. A cantor is present for the remaining three liturgies. In addition, the Children's Choir participates in the Noon Mass . Choirs and cantors are under the supervision of the Music Director, although the leader of each group has a limited choice of the music presented. Specific recommendations are made for seasonal music.
The choir categories are as follows:
Mary Star of the Sea Adult Choir
Psaltery Choir
5:15pm Contemporary Choir
Croatian Choir
Hispanic Choir
Children's Choir
ALTAR SERVERS (boys and girls)
Director: Nick Vilicich Phone:(310) 833-3541
History: Acolytes have always played an important role in the liturgy of the parish. Boys from the Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School were recruited and trained to serve at all of the Masses celebrated in the parish. In 1985, thirteen devout men were organized and trained to serve, particularly during funerals. Their devotion to this ministry was a sign of their deep faith and their love for God and God's people.
In 1993, girls were trained and began to serve during the Enter Vigil of that year.
Twenty new acolytes were trained from Mary Star of the Sea's fifth grade and one from the seventh grade. At this time, there is a total of one hundred acolytes; fifty-six are male and forty-four are females. Sixty-one of these altar servers are students at Mary Star of the Sea Elementary and High School; thirty-nine attend public schools.
The servers take part in a special retreat in the fall and the spring.
ACOLYTES FOR FUNERALS
Director: Tony DiBernardo Phone:(310) 833-3541
It is a great service with dedication performed by the retired people for the departed persons. We need more volunteers to be Acolytes for the Funeral Masses.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY
Director: Paula Mazzarino Phone:(310) 833-3541
History: This ministry was organized as a part of the Religious Education Program and at present is organized and conducted by volunteers.
The 10:30 a.m. Mass each Sunday is in part, dedicated to the growth in the love for the liturgy and for the Scriptures. Before the Liturgy of the Word begins, the young children in the congregation are invited to follow their instructor to the Parish Center where the scriptures are read and explained in words which they understand. The children return to their families after the homily.
Once each month, the children remain in the church to listen to a lector of their own age level read one of the readings of the Sunday.
LITURGICAL COMMITTEE
Phone: (310) 833-3541
History: The Liturgical Committee was established in 1984 and
meets once a month in order to plan for liturgical functions
throughout the Church Year.
The Liturgical Committee is under the direct supervision of
the pastor. Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday
and include the clergy and the parish staff.
The Environment Committee works under the leadership of
Lucretia Barbieri.
DEVOTIONS
Phone:(310) 833-3541
History: Two regularly scheduled devotions were established many years ago. They are:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena every Wednesday after the 5:15 P.M. Mass. Recitation of the Rosary after the 6:45 A.M. and at 4:30 P.M daily.
USHERS
Director: Jesse Robles Phone:(310) 833-3541