About Our Lady of the Seas · Buxton, North Carolina
Our Lady of the Seas Catholic Parish is a small, warm, vibrant Catholic community located on Hatteras Island, 30 miles off North Carolina's coast along the Outer Banks. The parish welcomes all — full-time or part-time residents, off-island property owners, annual vacationers, and travelers — for an hour, a week, or a lifetime. Services are held in Buxton and at Stella Maris Chapel in Ocracoke, with Masses in English and Spanish, live-streamed options, and a strong emphasis on community, prayer, and service.
- Patron
- Mother of Compassion (Mother of Sorrows)
- Rector
- Reverend Jayaseelan Selvaraj, MSFS (Fr. Jay)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
Join a community that prays, serves, celebrates, and shares — whether you’re visiting or living on the Outer Banks. Experience Mass in English or Spanish, live-streamed services, daily Masses, and sacraments offered with warmth and accessibility. The parish welcomes all, offering spiritual nourishment and fellowship for every season of life.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Seas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:45 to 5:15 pm
- By appointment ([email protected])
Adoration times
- First Friday 9:00 am with Adoration and Holy Hour
About
We are a small, warm, vibrant Catholic community on Hatteras Island, 30 miles off North Carolina's coast along the Outer Banks. Please join us on our journey of faith, whether you're a full-time or part-time resident, an off-island property owner, an annual vacationer, or one of the thousands of travelers who pass this way every year. All are welcome – for an hour, a week, or a lifetime.
Pastor
Reverend Jayaseelan Selvaraj, MSFS (Fr. Jay), appointed Administrator effective October 13, 2025. He comes from Sacred Heart Parish in Pinehurst, NC. Previously Provincial Superior in India and worked in Rome for Global Missions. Retired pastor Fr. Alfred 'Fred' Smuda, OSFS, served from 2013–2025.
Sacraments & Services
The parish offers the full range of sacraments including Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Sacrament of Reconciliation is available before or after Mass, Saturdays 4:45–5:15 pm, or by appointment. Live-streamed liturgies are available for those unable to attend in person.
Ministries
The parish emphasizes prayer, service, and community. Ministries include spiritual direction, hospice volunteer services, and outreach to the homebound. The congregation is part of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS), known for their Salesian spirituality and global mission work.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Alfred 'Fred' Smuda, OSFS2013–2025
Retired May 22, 2025. Served as pastor since Feb 26, 2013, installed Aug 27, 2013. Previously worked in Brazil and India as a missionary.
- Reverend Jayaseelan Selvaraj, MSFS2025–present
Appointed Administrator effective October 13, 2025. Belongs to the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). Previously Provincial Superior in India and worked in Rome for Global Missions.