Hispanic Groups Hispanic Ministry Jose Mendoza (310) 986-9442 The ministry brings together parishioners in the Hispanic community to actively participate in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration as:
Lectors
Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist
Hospitality and servants of the altar
Members also attend to the needs of the Hispanic community by distributing Holy Eucharist to the sick, providing visits or special blessings to homebound parishioners as well as supporting other needs in conjunction with our priests or deacons.
Community in Action (formerly Grupo Hispano) Martin Puga (323) 617-7219 Members of this group work to alongside other ethnic communities and groups to raise funds and award scholarships to students entering the Mary Star of the High School from the Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School.
Fiesta Parroquial Norma Ortuno (424) 224-0211 The Mary Star of the Sea Fiesta is an annual carnival event held each summer celebrating our parish, schools and our Catholic community. Fiesta Parroquial relies on support from the Hispanic Ministry to raise money and participate through games, food and other carnival activities. If you are interested in volunteering at this annual event contact Norma Ortuno.
Prayer Group Dennis Portillo (310) 365-3715 The members of this group provide parishioners with the tools to build their spiritual strength through the practice of music and discipleship. Join us every Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the halls of the church to preach the word, lay hands, praise, sing, reflect and contemplate the Glory of God -- St. Augustine tells us “whoever sings prays twice”. Contact Dennis Portillo for additional information.
Guadalupano Group Mary Marky (310) 507-3002 The Hispanic community has deep roots in the devotion to the Virge de Guadalupe since her appearance in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac before San Juan Diego. The Virgin’s brown skin, how our Blessed Virgin is represented, has become the protector of the Hispanic nations and the whole world. Members of this group work year-round to raise funds for Festivities of the Virgin Guadalupe that takes place each year in the month of December. The festivities include songs, dance and prayers as well as an image of the Virgin adorned with natural flowers. The next day begins at dawn with a procession, songs, mariachi’s and a solemn Mass concluding with praise and music. Contact Mary Marky for additional information.
Santi Rosario Group Amadeo Escobar at (323) 841-4497 Devotion to the Holy Rosary is a path offered to us by the Virgin Mary to take us to her Son Jesus Christ. Members of this group:
Pay homage to our Blessed Mother and Hispanic mothers during four Sundays in the month of May
Participate in the weekly recitation of the Holy Rosary before each Sunday Mass
Attend to the needs of those in the Hispanic community through Holy Rosary recitation on the occasion of a death, also known as Novenario
Contact Amadeo Escobar for additional information.
Velike Gospe Natalie Sutlovich 310-547-5391 The Velike Gospe Society was organized in 1932 by a group of women who wanted to meet socially and give assistance to the church through religious and charitable activities. The name of the Society refers to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, celebrated on Aug. 15. The Society celebrates the feast day with a special Mass, followed by a luncheon. Members participate in many church-related projects, mainly assisting in the care of the altar linens, flowers and altar maintenance. Many dinners and other fundraisers contribute to the support of the parish and related charities. During the annual Parish Fiesta, members staff a raffle booth and prepare and serve the traditional Sunday Croatian dinner, a community favorite for many years.
Croatian Catholic Family Guild Mario Juravich (310) 547-3870 The Croatian Catholic Family Guild was established under the patronage of St. Nikola Tavelic, the first canonized Croatian saint. Members take an active role in all church activities of Mary Star of the Sea, and are encouraged to foster and develop their Croatian Catholic heritage within the parish by maintaining Christian values and observing Croatian customs and traditions. Members participate in Croatian-language liturgies, devotions and religious observations, and study and discuss religious and moral questions in order to improve their understanding of Catholic teaching. A liturgy in the Croatian language with a Croatian choir is celebrated each Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
St. Joseph's Society The St. Joseph Society organizes the celebration of St. Joseph's feast day with "St. Joseph's Table" on March 19 (or the closest Sunday before). This celebration dates back to the island of Sicily and consists of an altar set up in the auditorium surrounded by various varieties of foods. The day is marked by processions and Mass, followed by a "poor man's lunch" in the auditorium, usually consisting of salad, pasta fazoli, squid (if available), bread and dessert. There is no cost for the lunch, but donations go toward scholarships to a Mary Star of the Sea High School student and a student from San Pedro High School. St. Joseph Society hosts a specialty coffee and dessert booth at the annual Parish Fiesta, and it also holds a variety of other fundraisers throughout the year to support the church.
Italian Catholic Federation Neal Di Leva (310) 833-9444 Branch 115 of the Italian Catholic Federation, organized under the patronage of San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce (St. John Joseph of the Cross) in 1954, is the largest in the Los Angeles district with a membership of 200 people. The members are dedicated to the goals of charity, apostolic works, support of the Church, and promoting the Italian heritage. The Federation makes major financial contributions to the parish and also supports seminarian education, scholarships, and research into Cooley's Anemia. The I.C.F. offers its members social activities and opportunities to share their faith and heritage. Requirements:
To join the I.C.F. you must be Catholic
Annual dues are $39.00 per year
Member meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month
Trappeto Club Joe Lo Grande (310) 519-0815 The Trappeto Club was founded by Italian immigrants from the city of Trappeto (province of Palermo) in Sicily. In 1994, the club became affiliated with the greater Mary Star of the Sea Italian community. At present, the group numbers approximately 300 members throughout the San Pedro area. Fundraisers are held during the year, with the proceeds donated to the church. The Club has pledged significant financial support to the new Mary Star of the Sea High School.
St. Anne Society Delight Hernandez (310) 831-6214 Modeling themselves on the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, members of the St. Anne Society exercise tender loving care for the altar and linens used in the church.
San Pietro Society Grace Ciolino (310) 548-8447
Filipino Community Myrna Cabanban (310) 529-0774 The Mary Star Filipino Community is a group of parishioners, friends & family celebrating their Catholic faith & cultural traditions. We demonstrate our dedication by taking the lead in the celebration of May Crowning that honors our Blessed Mother at Mary Star of the Sea. In September, we remember San Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino saint. In December, we proudly celebrate Simbang Gabi to showcase a revered practice in the Philippines of a 9-day Novena Mass culminating at midnight Christmas mass. Our community has been an active member at Mary Star for decades. Please contact Myrna Cabanban for more information.