Mary Star Of The Sea Church San Pedro CA: What Stands Out
- 01. Mary Star of the Sea Church San Pedro CA: Why It Matters
- 02. Parish Identity and Historical Significance
- 03. Key Historical Facts
- 04. Mass Schedule and Sacramental Life
- 05. Weekend Mass Times
- 06. Weekday Mass Schedule
- 07. Spiritual Devotions and Ministry Programs
- 08. Confession Schedule
- 09. Educational Mission: Catholic Schools
- 10. School Comparison
- 11. Architectural and Artistic Features
- 12. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- 13. Why This Parish Matters for Catholic Education
Mary Star of the Sea Church San Pedro CA: Why It Matters
Mary Star of the Sea Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 870 West Eighth Street in San Pedro, California 90731, established in 1889 as one of the oldest parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Known as the "Fishermen's Parish," it serves the Port of Los Angeles community with multilingual Masses including Spanish, Croatian, and Italian services, and operates both an elementary school at 717 South Cabrillo Avenue and a high school at 2500 North Taper Avenue.
Parish Identity and Historical Significance
Established in 1889-one year after San Pedro became a city-this parish holds unique historical distinction as a maritime ministry serving Croatian, Portuguese, and Italian fishing families whose descendants continue attending today. The current church building was constructed in 1958 and features a striking 10-foot bronze statue of Mary mounted atop the bell tower with arms outstretched toward the port.
The parish maintains orthodox Catholic teaching under Pastor Father Maurice Harrigan, who became pastor in 2014 after leaving a successful business career to enter the seminary. Norbertine Fathers from St. Michael's Abbey serve as associate pastors, bringing traditional piety and orthodoxy to the community.
Key Historical Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Establishment Year | 1889 (one of LA Archdiocese's oldest parishes) |
| Current Church Built | 1958 |
| Official Address | 870 West Eighth Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 |
| Phone Number | 833-3541 |
| Website | www.marystar.org |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of Los Angeles |
| Special Designation | "Fishermen's Parish" |
Mass Schedule and Sacramental Life
The parish offers seven weekend Masses catering to diverse linguistic communities, with weekday Masses available Monday through Saturday at 8:00 am.
Weekend Mass Times
- Saturday Vigil: 5:15 pm
- Sunday 7:30 am: English Mass
- Sunday 9:00 am: English Mass
- Sunday 10:30 am: Spanish Mass
- Sunday 12:00 pm: English Mass (2nd reading in Italian)
- Sunday 1:30 pm: Croatian Mass
- Sunday 4:00 pm: Italian Mass
- Sunday 5:15 pm: Latin/English Sung Mass (Mass of the New Evangelization)
Weekday Mass Schedule
- Monday: 8:00 am, 5:15 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am, 5:15 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am, 5:15 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am, 5:15 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am, 5:15 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am
Spiritual Devotions and Ministry Programs
The parish maintains Perpetual Adoration with the chapel open 24 hours daily, seven days per week, providing continuous Eucharistic worship for the community. Daily prayer services include Morning Prayer at 7:45 am, Evening Prayer at 5:00 pm, and Rosary at 4:30 pm.
Maritime Ministry/Apostleship of the Sea serves the fishing and maritime community specifically, continuing the parish's 136-year tradition of supporting port workers. The Daughters of Isabella, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Christian Care Ministry provide additional service opportunities.
Confession Schedule
| Day | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Holy Hour after Mass |
| Thursday | 5:45 pm - 6:00 pm | After 5:15 pm Mass |
| Friday | 5:45 pm - 6:00 pm | After 5:15 pm Mass |
| Saturday | 8:30 am - 9:00 am | After 8 am Mass |
| Saturday | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Evening slot |
| Sunday | 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Before Mass |
Educational Mission: Catholic Schools
Mary Star of the Sea operates two Catholic schools serving the San Pedro community, both served by Norbertine Fathers from St. Michael's Abbey.
School Comparison
| School | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School | 717 South Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731 | 831-0875 | marystarelementary.org |
| High School | 2500 North Taper Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731 | See website | marystarhigh.com |
The elementary school sits directly by the church, while the high school is approximately a 10-minute drive away in northern San Pedro. Both institutions embody Catholic educational rigor aligned with spiritual formation and social mission.
Architectural and Artistic Features
The 1958 church building contains ocean-themed religious art reflecting its maritime heritage, including a statue of Mary holding a tuna clipper over the altar. A mosaic of Mary standing on ocean waves crowns the church entrance, while stained glass to the right of the altar depicts Jesus on a boat speaking to fishermen.
The centerpiece remains the 10-foot bronze Mary statue atop the bell tower, arms outstretched toward the Port of Los Angeles-a visible landmark guiding fishermen and sailors. The Stella Maris Bookstore operates Wednesdays and Sundays, selling religious items for parishioners.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why This Parish Matters for Catholic Education
From a Marist education authority perspective, Mary Star of the Sea demonstrates how historic Catholic parishes integrate educational rigor with spiritual mission through their school systems. The parish's multilingual approach mirrors effective pastoral strategies for diverse Latin American communities, offering practical models for community engagement across cultural boundaries.
School administrators seeking guidance on holistic Catholic education can study this parish's 136-year sustainability model, which balances traditional liturgy, ethnic ministry, and modern educational demands. The Norbertine Fathers' governance provides evidence-based insight into religious order leadership of Catholic schools.
What are the most common questions about Mary Star Of The Sea Church San Pedro Ca What Stands Out?
What is the address of Mary Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro?
The church is located at 870 West Eighth Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, with parking available in a large lot beside the church.
What phone number do I call for Mary Star of the Sea San Pedro?
The parish office phone number is 833-3541, available Monday through Friday during office hours.
Does Mary Star of the Sea offer Spanish Mass?
Yes, Sunday Mass at 10:30 am is celebrated in Spanish, serving the large Hispanic community in San Pedro.
Is Mary Star of the Sea still a fishermen's parish?
Yes, the parish maintains its Maritime Ministry/Apostleship of the Sea, continuing the 136-year tradition of serving fishing and cannery community members.
What ethnic Masses are offered at this parish?
The parish offers Spanish (10:30 am Sunday), Croatian (1:30 pm Sunday), and Italian (4:00 pm Sunday) Masses, reflecting its historic immigrant founding communities.
Does the parish have Perpetual Adoration?
Yes, the Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week for continuous Eucharistic worship.
What is the connection to Norbertine Fathers?
Norbertine Fathers from St. Michael's Abbey serve as associate pastors and administer both Catholic schools, bringing orthodox teaching and traditional piety.
