Saint Mary, Star of the Sea

Introduction

The first Catholic church built in Largs since the Reformation opened in School Street in 1869.

History

The building seats 590, cost about £80,000, and most of its furnishings were donated by members of the congregation. In 1960, Mass was again said at the Moorings Ballroom when fire seriously damaged the church. Some time later, the fine tapestry for the back wall of the sanctuary was commissioned from the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Studio.

Architecture and furnishings

After 1977 the sanctuary was reordered to meet Second Vatican Council liturgical requirements, and a new baptismal font and lectern were added. A new heating system and substantial renovation for the church were installed after 2005. The earlier church, seating 150, was dedicated to St Mary, Star of the Sea. In 1998, serious damage was caused to the church roof by violent storms.

Music and liturgy

New hymns and pieces are introduced, and choral parts from well known hymns are also learnt. During Sunday morning Mass, children of primary school age are invited into the hall to take part in the Children’s Liturgy.

Eucharistic Ministers take Communion to those at home, and the Legion of Mary and Saint Vincent de Paul Society visit the sick and poor. The priest usually likes to wear rose on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday.

After the First World War, as many as five Masses were needed on Sundays in the summer. During the Second World War, Barrfields Pavilion and the Moorings Ballroom provided space for Mass for the greatly increased numbers. The new church of St Mary, Star of the Sea opened on 24 June 1962 with Pontifical High Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Galloway, the Right Reverend Joseph McGee.

Parish life

The church hall opened in 1980, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was introduced in 1985, and the Renew Programme took place between 1986 and 1988. The Lourdes Group has sent two or three people on each diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes since 1985.

The Bereavement Group visits parishioners who have lost a loved one, in pairs, and takes flowers. The Legion of Mary meets regularly and undertakes house visits and visits to the sick and elderly.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is offered for Saint Mary's, Largs, and Our Lady's, Millport. The parish is developing a shrine to Saints Carlo, Francis and Clare, with an architect in the parish.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish arranges weekly Holy Communion for chronically housebound parishioners, and the priest visits them for confession, the sacrament of the sick, or conversation. The parish encourages parishioners to keep an eye on those who are housebound and to encourage them to ask for Communion or a visit. The priest prays daily for the sick, housebound, lapsed, lost, lonely, and those spiritually challenged. A Prayer Line offers prayerful support.

Visiting

The wood for the shrine icons, originating from Serbia, has been cut and carved, and the items are in transit to the UK. Information and photos of the Relic of Saint Carlo Acutis are available online.