St Mary Star of the Sea | Catholic Parish of West Melbourne

Shrine of the Holy Family

A place of pilgrimage and prayer

On 25 August 2012, His Grace Denis J Hart, Archbishop of Melbourne formally established St Mary Star of the Sea Church as an Archdiocesan Shrine of the Holy Family.

Monthly recollections

Conducted by Opus Dei

Recollections (a sort of mini-retreat) provide an opportunity to renew one’s relationship with God, review one’s life, and make firm resolutions for the future.

St Mary’s Restoration

An $8.5 million project

In recent years St Mary’s has been rejuvenated, becoming a cultural centre for sacred art and music, whose doors are open everyday to the public.

Baptisms at St Mary’s

Policies and procedure

Most infant baptisms at St Mary’s are celebrated in private ceremonies outside of Mass. Parishioners are welcome to have their children baptised at Sunday Mass.

Marrying at St Mary’s

Policies and procedure

The gothic splendour of St Mary’s lends itself to weddings. Its beauty evokes the grandeur of a cathedral, but it’s not so big that guests are lost in space.

From the parish priest

Welcome to the website of St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne. The Internet has opened a new door to our church, whose century old doors have welcomed so many parishioners and visitors over the years.

SMIS

SMIS — or St Mary’s Information Service — is a joint initiative of the priests at St Mary’s and several lay parishioners. Its purpose is to promote and promulgate ideas which can “drown evil in an abundance of good.”

Sunday bulletin

The parish bulletin is uploaded every week. It contains the Sunday readings and homily, as well as the latest news concerning the parish. If advice on the website contradicts advice on the bulletin, follow the bulletin!