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St. Mary Star of the Sea Celebrates 175 Years of Faith and Service to the Community

by Katie Vasquez

For 175 years, St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Carroll Gardens has served as a spiritual home for generations of Brooklyn Catholics while extending its mission beyond the church walls through charitable outreach.

The parish, founded in 1851 and celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, traces its roots to Irish immigrants who settled in Brooklyn before the Diocese of Brooklyn was established.

“It was started in 1851 with its first Mass in 1855,” said Monsignor Guy Massie, administrator of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. “At that time it was an immigrant community of Irish immigrants. It was part of the Archdiocese of New York, so it even predates the Diocese of Brooklyn. As a result, it helped many people get established in this country.”

Today, Carroll Gardens is known for its soaring real estate values, with median home prices approaching $2 million. Despite the neighborhood’s affluence, parish leaders say the need for charitable assistance remains significant.

“We kind of have a policy where no matter if you’re employed, unemployed, unhoused, housed, any race, religion or status, you could come and get anything you like, no questions asked,” said parish manager Akeem Cahoon. “If you need something, we’re here to give it.”

Twice each month, parish volunteers prepare about 600 ham-and-cheese and peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches. The meals are donated to CHiPS, a Park Slope nonprofit that provides meals and support services to people experiencing food insecurity.

“Once you get there, you see the breadth of people that we’re feeding,” parishioner Cathy McDermott said. “We’re not just feeding people who are homeless. We’re feeding people who don’t have jobs, who still can’t really make ends meet. It’s a remarkable thing, and it’s a well-needed thing.”

Following the arrival of thousands of migrants to New York City in recent years, the parish partnered with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to transform unused parish space into a free thrift shop designed to preserve the dignity of those seeking assistance.

“They asked us, ‘We want to be able to distribute clothing to people in a way that respects their dignity,'” said thrift shop manager Mary Carriero. “‘We want to set it up as a store. It’s free, but we want them to browse, select and pick.'”

As the parish reflects on nearly two centuries of ministry, parishioners say its commitment to serving others remains as strong as ever.

“We are so proud of our parish and the fact that we’re small but mighty,” McDermott said.

Cahoon said the parish continues “providing a good service to the community” while remaining welcoming to all.

“Being Catholic, you want to follow Jesus,” Carriero said. “Where you find Jesus is at the margins. So this is where Jesus calls us to be.”

Massie said outreach has long been central to the parish’s identity.

“I think a charism of St. Mary’s parish is reaching out to help those who are in need and to serve the community, both in the sacraments and the Word of God and through good works,” he said.

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church will commemorate its 175th anniversary with a special anniversary Mass on Sept. 27.

 

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 7/24/26   

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, one parishioner celebrated a milestone birthday. At 110-years-old, Judith Mends says that through all of life’s changes one thing has stayed constant: her faith.

One month after earthquakes struck Venezuela, the humanitarian emergency there is more dire than ever. We share how you can help support Catholic relief efforts.

In this installment of our Supper Series, you can visit a New York City tavern that holds a piece of literary history – one of the world’s most famous Christmas stories was written there.

Supper Series: O. Henry’s Booth at Pete’s Tavern Draws Hungry Historians to Gramercy

by Jessica Easthope

GRAMERCY, N.Y. — At Pete’s Tavern they call it “Table 3,” but for Monica Ballard it’s more than just a seat — it’s an invitation into the mind of her favorite writer.

“It is absolutely part of the whole Will Porter pilgrimage that I am taking this summer,” Ballard said.

Will Porter, better known as O. Henry, the author of hundreds of pieces of writing over his prolific career, including the one he wrote right here in this booth, “Gift of the Magi.” Monica came all the way from Austin, Texas.

“It was a dream of mine to come here and sit where he wrote that remarkable story,” she said.

Managing partner Gary Egan says she’s not the first and she won’t be the last.

“So many people travel here just to see this booth. O. Henry lived at 55 Irving Place. We’re 66, so he was literally on the next block. This was his watering hole. We have two letters that he wrote, in his handwriting. We’ve always taken good care of them. Make it make sure they’re preserved,” Egan said.

Egan has worked at Pete’s Tavern for 40 years. He’s poured his blood, sweat and tears into preserving the New York City landmark. Everything with the exception of electricity and air conditioning is exactly as it was the day it opened in 1864.

“I became a partner in the business in 1998 and I just love the place, love it like it’s a human being. You know, I love this restaurant as much as you could love bricks and mortar. It’s my heart and soul really is. It has so much history and so much love,” Egan said.

Love is at the center of Pete’s Tavern and a core message in “Gift of the Magi,” a Christmas story about a poor couple. The man and woman both give everything they have out of love to buy each other gifts.

“The funny thing is about gifts of the Magi is that Will thought he had been fired from the New York world. But he had one more Christmas story to turn in, and the newspaper sent a copy boy to sit with him as he wrote it, so it could be turned in for publication the next day. Everybody loves a deadline, right?” Ballard said.

For Catholics the story resonates deeply, mirroring the sacrifice at the heart of the faith.

“Having God in your life every day, it’s not about the money or the business. We are extremely busy all the time. I just feel we’re giving something to people. There’s something so much more to it,” Egan said.

Monica wrote a play about how “Gift of the Magi” came to be. “O. Henry’s Christmas Miracle” will make its debut on stage back in Texas in December of 2027.

“I think what’s important as far as the Catholic message of giving and receiving is that in that giving, you yourself are blessed,” Ballard said.

She traveled a long way to sit where O. Henry did at Pete’s Tavern. What Monica got was a great burger and the opportunity of a lifetime.

Oldest Parishioner Celebrates 110th Birthday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church

by Katie Vasquez

Judith Mends is still smiling as she remembers her recent 110th birthday celebration at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

The oldest parishioner at the Flatlands parish was surrounded by family, friends and fellow parishioners, receiving a birthday cake and a special blessing from three priests.

Asked how it feels to be 110, Mends said she wishes she were able to do more.

“Well, if I was able to move around a little bit more, I think I’d be more active,” she said.

Reaching 110 is something her nephew, Dr. Joseph Radix, never imagined he would witness.

“Wow. Unbelievable. I guess that’s the only word I can use to describe that,” Radix said. “When she got to 100, we thought that was amazing. But 110, we never thought that was possible.”

Born in Grenada, Mends spent years traveling between the Caribbean and New York to visit family. Of the many memories she has collected over more than a century, one still stands out.

“When the plane came to Carriacou, Grenada. I said, ‘How could that be?'” she recalled.

Today, Mends rarely leaves her Flatlands home, something that has been especially difficult for someone whose life has long centered on the church.

“She was telling me she hasn’t been to church in a long time. She’s so upset,” said, Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix.

“True. True,” Mends replied.

Whether she was in Brooklyn or Grenada, church remained at the center of her life.

“In the Caribbean, the Monday after Easter is actually a holiday,” Radix said. “That’s the big day of the harvest, when people come to the church grounds to sell food.”

He said Mends always played an important role in those celebrations.

“She was always instrumental in the harvest,” he said. “And even when she could no longer contribute, she went to call and tell people what they needed to do to make it successful.”

Her faith was matched by her generosity. Mends collected books for students and helped provide food for people in need.

Radix said those acts of service have always inspired him.

“These are the things that really stand out to me,” he said. “It’s always been about her with the church and, you know, the charity that she has done for other people.”

While her steps may be slower today, her faith has never wavered.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation,” Mends said.

As she celebrates 110 years of life, she said she is grateful for every blessing along the way.

TONIGHT AT 7: New York City Tavern Offers a Look Back at Holiday History

By Jessica Easthope

In this next installment of our Supper Series, we’re visiting a New York City tavern where once you step through its Manhattan doors, you step back in time.

At Pete’s Tavern, every fixture of the establishment is original – including the booth where one of the world’s most popular Christmas stories was born.

Queens Mourns Soldier Killed in Missile Attack on U.S. Base

By Currents News

A Queens community is mourning U.S. Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad of Ozone Park, who was among three service members killed in an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan on July 17.

The 28-year-old signal operations support specialist had served in the Army since 2019. Family and friends remembered her as a “gentle giant” who was active in her Christian church and stood up for those unable to defend themselves.

Her family is awaiting the return of her remains before making funeral arrangements.

Diocese of Brooklyn Honored for Lifesaving Blood Donations

By Jessica Easthope

The New York Blood Center honored the Diocese of Brooklyn with its Most Donations 2025 Award for blood drives that helped save thousands of lives.

Representatives presented the award July 23 to Vicar General Msgr. Joseph Grimaldi, who accepted it on behalf of the diocese. Dozen of parishes hosted blood drives, supporting the center’s work delivering about 500,000 blood products each year to over 150 hospitals and health care partners.

Msgr. Grimaldi said the drives reflect the Catholic mission to serve people in need.

WATCH BELOW TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF PARITIPANTS IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 7/23/26   

Annie McDonagh was diagnosed and treated for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in 2025. Now the Diocese of Brooklyn high school student is working to help those with the condition by establishing a fundraiser.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is being honored by the New York Blood Center for donations in 2025 that went toward saving thousands of lives.

City officials in Buffalo say a fire that damaged St. Ann Church – one of the oldest Catholic churches in New York State – was deliberately set.

Famed Italian singer Andrea Bocelli will be performing for Pope Leo XIV at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father’s summer residence.