About Our Lady Star of the Sea · Cape May, New Jersey
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a Roman Catholic parish in the heart of historic Cape May, New Jersey, administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS). The parish worships at 525 Washington Street and serves the wider community through a summer mission church, St. Agnes, at Cape May Point. With multiple Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Friday, Eucharistic Adoration, a robust faith-formation program, and dozens of active ministries, OLSS is a year-round faith home as well as a beacon for the many summer visitors who come to Cape May's shore.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- Our Lady (Blessed Virgin Mary) under the title Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)
- Rector
- Rev. John Dolan, OSFS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Camden
Why belong here
OLSS is a historic Cape May parish that welcomes year-round residents and summer visitors alike, with one of the most generous Mass schedules on the Jersey Shore — daily Mass Monday–Friday, multiple Sunday Masses, confessions three times a week, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a staffed faith-formation office for lifelong learning. Add in active ministries such as the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Bereavement Ministry, Good Samaritans, Simply Soup, Just Friends, That Man Is You, Bible Study, RCIA, and a parish school of religion (PREP), plus the Oblate spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, and OLSS offers a vibrant, deeply rooted Catholic community to belong to.
Mass times at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday after 11:00 AM Mass (11:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Thursday after 11:00 AM Mass (11:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday of the Month: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
History of Our Lady Star of the Sea
The Catholic community of Cape May traces its history to the late 19th century. According to parish records, the cornerstone of the current Roman-style church was laid in 1878 and the building was subsequently ravaged by the Great Storm that lashed the New Jersey coast, then rebuilt and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In more recent decades, administration of the parish was entrusted to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, who continue to shepherd the community today under the spiritual patronage of St. Francis de Sales.
- Cornerstone of present church laid in 1878
- Roman style architecture
- Rebuilt after damage from the Great Storm
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS)
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Our Lady Star of the Sea runs one of the most generous Mass schedules in the Diocese of Camden, with daily Mass Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM and a full Sunday and Saturday Vigil program that expands in summer to accommodate Cape May's seasonal visitors. The 9:30 AM (summer) and 10:30 AM (winter) Sunday Masses are live-streamed.
Daily Mass & Devotions
Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM. The Rosary is prayed Monday through Friday at 10:30 AM, and the church is open for private prayer Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Parish Staff & Clergy
OLSS is staffed by three Oblate priests — Pastor Rev. John Dolan, OSFS; Parochial Vicar Rev. John George, OSFS; and Priest in Residence Rev. James T. Dever, OSFS — alongside a lay Parish Administrator and dedicated office, music, formation, and ministry staff. The parish's Music Director is Art Ciancaglini, with Jil Ciancaglini serving as Leader of Song.
- Rev. John Dolan, OSFS — Pastor (Ext. 105)
- Rev. John George, OSFS — Parochial Vicar (Ext. 104)
- Rev. James T. Dever, OSFS — Priest in Residence (Ext. 103)
- Mr. Terence C. McGarvey — Parish Administrator (Ext. 120)
- Joan Dollinger — Pastoral Associate for Lifelong Formation (Ext. 109)
- Art Ciancaglini — Music Director
- Jil Ciancaglini — Leader of Song
- Denise Mount — Business Assistant (Ext. 106)
- Mrs. Marie Turco — Parish Secretary (Ext. 101)
- Martine Simonis — Ministry Coordinator (Ext. 110)
- Regina Alulis — Bulletin Contact
Sacraments
Information and preparation for all seven Catholic sacraments is available through the parish office. The Sacraments page on the parish website details the steps for each, including marriage preparation, baptism for infants and older children, first Reconciliation and first Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders, as well as a dedicated Seek and Find page for adults exploring Catholicism.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Penance)
- Holy Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
Marriage Preparation
Engaged couples are invited to begin marriage preparation by contacting the parish office early in their engagement. A dedicated webpage, 'Matrimony — Information for Planning Your Wedding,' walks couples through the parish's process.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish maintains a full Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for children, an Adult Faith Formation Planning Committee, ongoing Bible Study, and the parish-sponsored RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those preparing to become Catholic. Joan Dollinger serves as the parish's Pastoral Associate for Lifelong Formation.
- PREP — Parish Religious Education Program for children (2024–2025 school year)
- RCIA — Preparing to become a Catholic
- Bible Study
- Adult Faith Formation Planning Committee
Parish Ministries & Outreach
OLSS runs a wide network of lay-led ministries, from liturgical service (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors) to men's groups (Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You), community fellowship (Just Friends), outreach to those who are grieving (Bereavement Ministry) and to neighbors in need (Good Samaritans, Simply Soup, Hospitality), and devotional groups (Legion of Mary, Catholic Radio Station).
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Ministry of Lector
- Knights of Columbus
- Just Friends
- Bereavement Ministry
- Good Samaritans
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Simply Soup
- Hospitality
- Legion of Mary
- Catholic Radio Station
- That Man Is You
- Altar Flower Donations
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at OLSS is coordinated by Music Director Art Ciancaglini and Leader of Song Jil Ciancaglini. Selected Sunday Masses are live-streamed so the parish can be joined beyond Cape May.
St. Agnes Mission Church, Cape May Point
In addition to the main church on Washington Street, the parish operates St. Agnes Mission Church at 501 Cape Avenue in Cape May Point. St. Agnes serves as the summer chapel, with a Sunday Mass at 8:30 AM each week of the warm season.
- 501 Cape Avenue, Cape May Point, NJ 08204
- Summer Sunday Mass at 8:30 AM
Visit, Contact & Parish Office
Parishioners and visitors can reach the OLSS parish office at (609) 884-5312 (fax 609-542-9702) or by email at [email protected]. The Parish Center, housed in the former parish school building, is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
- Parish Office: (609) 884-5312
- Fax: (609) 542-9702
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Center: 520 Lafayette Street, Cape May, NJ 08204-1487
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Diocese & Wider Catholic Life
Our Lady Star of the Sea belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, which covers the South Jersey counties of Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem. The parish participates in the annual South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal and the Bishop's Appeal, supporting diocesan mission and outreach.
- Diocese of Camden
- Cathedral: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden
- Annual South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal
- Annual Bishop's Appeal