Welcome to the website of St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne. In a sense, the internet has opened a new door to this church, whose century old doors have welcomed so many parishioners and visitors over the years. If you are one of them, you will know how St Mary’s West Melbourne has a special beauty and nobility that invites those who enter to prayer, or at least to admiration and reflection, inspired by many works of religious art largely centered on Christ and his virgin mother, Mary. If you have not had the opportunity to personally visit, this website allows you to familiarise yourself with this fascinating house of prayer and worship, its history, its most significant features, and its on-going life.

Please do not hesitate to make whatever queries you may have using the contact information provided. There is an emphasis at St Mary’s of welcoming visitors, especially those who seek a place of recollection close to the city, as well the enquiries of persons who may be looking for the sort of answers Christianity provides to life’s deeper questions. On the other hand, your question may be just a simple or administrative one. You can expect a reasonably prompt response.

As for myself, I was appointed parish priest early in 2007, succeeding Fr Joe Martins. I am assisted by the assistant parish priest, Fr Joseph Pich, and our director of catechetics, Fr Edward Barry. In 2001, the administration of the parish was entrusted to the priests of Opus Dei. The Opus Dei Prelature is made up primarily of Catholic lay persons ― along with a small percentage of priests ― and its purpose is to remind all Christians of Christ’s call to personal holiness, and to encourage and support people in responding to it.

God’s blessings upon you and your loved ones,

Fr. Max Polak, PP.