Pope Francis proclaims to you:
"Dear brothers and sisters, The first word that I want to say to you: joy! Never be sad men and women: a Christian can never be! Never give in to discouragement! Ours is not a joy that arises from possessing many things, rather it comes from having met a Person: Jesus, who is among us; it comes from knowing that with him we are never alone, even in difficult moments, even when the journey of life collides with problems and obstacles that seem insurmountable, and there are many! And it is in this moment that the enemy comes, the devil comes, many times disguised as an angel, and he speaks to us deceitfully. Do not listen to him! We follow Jesus! We accompany, we follow Jesus, but above all we know that he accompanies us and he carries us: here is where our joy lies, the hope that we, in this world of ours, must have. And, please, do not let hope be stolen from you! Do not let your hope be stolen! The hope that Jesus gives us"

On behalf of all who are privileged to serve here, may the Risen Christ fill you with hope and joy and every grace you need this Easter Season and always.
Peace be with you, John C. Baker

The Basilica of Saint Mary

Star of the Sea

"Since it first shed its light in Key West, Saint Mary's Church has, like a star of the sea to the wandering mariner, been a star of hope and comfort in times of despair and sorrow, and a star of joy to those who have lived in its teachings."February 26, 1851 by Father Sylvanius Hunineq

Here is a wonderful post on the Catholic Review from the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Vacation Venture: Exploring A New Basilica in Key West

Help us add names to our Book of Remembrance

Most physical books are only available to those connected to the church. Our virtual book is available to all whether they have had the chance to visit our church or not. Please feel free to enter the names of your departed loved ones.

The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea is the first to host a Friends and Relations Book of Remembrance in the United States. Donated by British founder Jonathan Haward, these books have memorialized some of England most honored dead.

The Solemn Mass with the Conferral of the Insignia of the Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea

Homily preached by Archbishop Thomas Wenski May 31, 2012 at the dedication of the minor basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West.We gather today, on this feast of the Visitation of Mary, to give thanks for the favor shown to this historic parish church dedicated to Mary, Star of the Sea, to the Key West community and to our archdiocese. We are all extremely grateful that Pope Benedict XVI has seen fit to raise this church to the status and dignity of a minor basilica.more...

The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Key West is talked about in Rome
http://www.miamiarch.org/ip.asp?op=Article_1251195736952