About Our Lady Star of the Sea. Good Shepherd Parish. · Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church is one of three worship sites of Good Shepherd Parish, the Roman Catholic parish that serves the down-Island communities of Martha's Vineyard — Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown — within the Diocese of Fall River. The Oak Bluffs church sits at 22 Massasoit Avenue and hosts a Sunday 9:30 am Mass during the summer season (it is closed during the off-season, when parishioners worship at the parish's other churches). It is part of a tight-knit island Catholic community of year-round residents and seasonal visitors that traces its roots to 1880 and that has been united as a single parish since May 2, 2004, when Bishop George Coleman consolidated the three Vineyard churches under the name Good Shepherd.
- Established
- 1880
- Patron
- Our Lady, Star of the Sea (Marian title)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Pasala
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
Good Shepherd Parish welcomes both year-round Islanders and the many seasonal residents and visitors who worship on Martha's Vineyard each summer. The parish gathers as one faith family across three historic Island churches — Our Lady Star of the Sea in Oak Bluffs, St. Augustine's in Vineyard Haven, and St. Elizabeth's in Edgartown — offering Mass in both English and Brazilian Portuguese. A strong formation program (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children, OCIA for adults, Confirmation prep for teens), an active food pantry that has served hundreds of Island families since 2019, Sacred Heart Cemetery, and a year-round chapel of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration after First Fridays make it a full parish life, not just a Sunday obligation.
Mass times at Our Lady Star of the Sea. Good Shepherd Parish.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays before Mass at 3:00 pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Oak Bluffs
- Daily (Mon–Sat) at St. Elizabeth's, Edgartown, 8:00 am Mass followed by Sacrament of Penance
- First Friday/Saturday after 8:00 am Mass at St. Augustine's, 8:30–9:00 am
- By appointment — call the pastor
Adoration times
- After First Friday Mass (8:00 am at St. Augustine's, Vineyard Haven): 24-hour Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel, 9:00 am – 9:00 am
Welcome to Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd Parish is the Roman Catholic community of Martha's Vineyard's down-Island towns — Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown — gathered as one parish around three historic worship churches: Our Lady Star of the Sea (Oak Bluffs), St. Augustine's (Vineyard Haven) and St. Elizabeth's (Edgartown). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Fall River and worships in both English and Brazilian Portuguese. The parish center sits at 55 School Street in Oak Bluffs, across from the Oak Bluffs Town Hall, and is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm (closed Thursdays).
Parish Mission Statement
The parish mission, taken from its bulletin, declares: 'The Mission of the Good Shepherd Parish is to give witness and to celebrate the Risen Christ's Presence in the life of each person.' Parishioners and visitors are asked to recommit themselves to being disciples of Jesus, drawing on the Augustinian principle: 'in necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, freedom; and in all things, charity.'
Parish History
Catholic life on Martha's Vineyard began in 1878–79 among a small, mostly Portuguese group, served occasionally by visiting priests from New Bedford or Sandwich. In 1880 the frame Sacred Heart Church was built in Cottage City (Oak Bluffs); by 1903 it was an independent parish. Our Lady Star of the Sea, the Oak Bluffs summer chapel, was built in 1919–20 for $38,000 and dedicated August 22, 1920. In 1963 it became the year-round worship site for Oak Bluffs, and in 1995 it was completely renovated inside. On May 2, 2004, Bishop George Coleman merged the three Island parishes into Good Shepherd Parish.
- 1878–79: First Catholic worship on the Vineyard, in private homes
- 1880: Sacred Heart Church built in Cottage City (later Oak Bluffs)
- 1896: Mission transferred to St. John the Baptist, New Bedford (first Portuguese parish in the U.S.)
- 1903: Sacred Heart becomes an independent parish (Feb. 1)
- 1906: James Lynch donates land for St. Augustine's Mission in Vineyard Haven
- 1911: St. Augustine's Mission Church dedicated (July 27)
- 1919–1920: Our Lady Star of the Sea built; dedicated August 22, 1920 ($38,000)
- 1922: Fire damages St. Augustine's; community rebuilds
- 1963: Star of the Sea becomes year-round; Sacred Heart becomes a parish hall
- 1969: St. Elizabeth's, Edgartown, becomes an independent parish
- 1995: Full interior renovation of Star of the Sea
- 1996: Fr. Michael Nagle becomes pastor of all three Island parishes
- 2004: Bishop Coleman consolidates the three parishes into Good Shepherd Parish (May 2)
- 2016: Fr. Edivar DaSilva appointed Parochial Vicar (June 1)
- 2021: Fr. Paul Fedak becomes pastor (Aug. 18)
- 2025: Fr. Joseph Pasala becomes pastor (June 18)
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs
The summer worship home of the parish sits at 22 Massasoit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Built in 1919–20 as a summer chapel and converted to year-round use in 1963, the church hosts a Sunday 9:30 am Mass during the summer season. It closes for the winter, when the parish directs worshippers to St. Augustine's in Vineyard Haven and St. Elizabeth's in Edgartown. For 2026 the summer Mass schedule runs May 23 – September 6, with the church opening on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
- Sunday Mass: 9:30 am (summer season)
- Winter: closed for the season
- Confession: Saturdays 3:00 pm before Mass
- Directions: 22 Massasoit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven
St. Augustine's at 56 Franklin Street is the Vineyard Haven church and the parish's English/Portuguese hub. Its chapel is open 24/7 (no heat in winter).
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 pm (English)
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 7:00 pm (Portuguese)
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 am
- First Friday/First Saturday 8:00 am Mass, followed by Rosary and Confession 8:30–9:00 am
- 24-hour Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel after First Friday Mass
St. Elizabeth's Church, Edgartown
St. Elizabeth's at 86 Main Street, Edgartown, is the parish's daily-Mass church and the home of the rectory. It underwent renovation work during Fr. Fedak's tenure.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 pm
- Sunday Mass: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
- Daily Mass Monday–Friday: 8:00 am, Rosary follows at 8:30 am
- Sacrament of Penance follows daily Mass
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Father Joseph Pasala, who became pastor on June 18, 2025, having previously served St. Mary's Parish in Norton. He is assisted by Father Edivar Ribeiro DaSilva, Parochial Vicar since June 1, 2016, who serves the Brazilian community. The parish office is staffed by Office Manager Beth Mello and Office Assistant Bernice Lopes. Faith formation is led by Sue Pagliccia (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd).
- Rev. Joseph Pasala — Pastor ([email protected], 508-693-0342)
- Rev. Edivar Ribeiro DaSilva — Parochial Vicar ([email protected], 508-933-1737)
- Deacon Fred LaPiana — (listed in older bulletins)
- Beth Mello — Office Manager ([email protected])
- Bernice Lopes — Office Assistant ([email protected])
- Sue Pagliccia — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd / Faith Formation leader ([email protected])
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments across its three churches. Baptisms and Marriages are arranged through the Parish Office; Marriages must be scheduled at least eight months in advance. Reconciliation is offered Saturdays at 3:00 pm at Star of the Sea, after daily Mass at St. Elizabeth's, and after First Friday/Saturday Mass at St. Augustine's, or by appointment. Anointing of the Sick is available at home, hospital or nursing home by calling the pastor.
- Baptism — call the Parish Office
- Marriage — at least 8 months' advance arrangement
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3 pm at Star of the Sea; after daily Mass at St. Elizabeth's; First Fri/Sat after Mass at St. Augustine's; by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — call pastor
- First Communion & First Reconciliation — two years of formation required
- Confirmation — 9th grade, two years of preparation
- Spiritual Direction — by appointment with the pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for the parish is organized at the Parish Center in Oak Bluffs and uses both the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium method for younger children and traditional leveled classes through 8th grade, plus Confirmation prep for high-schoolers. Sunday Mass attendance is required of all enrolled families.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — ages 3 through 6th grade (Atrium sessions)
- Level I (ages 3–K) — Wednesday 3:30–5:00 pm
- Level II (1st–3rd) — Monday or Tuesday 3:30–5:30 pm
- Level III (4th–6th) — Monday or Thursday 3:30–5:30 pm
- Tuition: $100/child, $200 family max; $50 spring sacrament fee
- Two years of formation required for First Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation
- 7th/8th Grade — 'The Great Adventure' Sundays 10:30 am–noon
- Confirmation Prep (9th grade & older) — 'Chosen' Sundays 10:30 am–noon
- Contact: Sue Pagliccia, [email protected], 508-693-0342
Adult & Family Formation (OCIA)
The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults — formerly RCIA) walks inquirers through the Catholic faith. The parish team uses the Augustine Institute's Symbolon series (16 episodes) on Formed.org and provides workbooks. Good Shepherd Parish offers a free one-year Formed.org membership to parishioners.
- OCIA team: Regina Amarins, Esther Deming, Sergio Racigh, Sue Pagliccia
- Adult Formation contact: Sergio Racigh, 774-310-0028, [email protected]
- Free Formed.org parish membership
- For more info, call the Parish Office 508-693-0342
Music Ministry
Music is led by parish music ministers serving both the English and Portuguese communities, with dedicated groups at each church.
- Good Shepherd Music Group — 9:00 am Sunday at St. Augustine's, Vineyard Haven (8:00 am in summer)
- Portuguese Music Group — 7:00 pm Saturday at St. Augustine's, Vineyard Haven
- Music for 11:00 am Mass, Weddings and Funerals at St. Elizabeth's, Edgartown
- Adult and Children's choirs at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Outreach: Food Pantry / Food Distribution
Since 2019 the parish has operated a food-distribution program in partnership with the Boston Food Bank, offering a bi-monthly Saturday pickup of frozen meats, fruits and vegetables to hundreds of Island families. The program began under Fr. Nagle's pastorate and continued under Fr. Fedak.
- Bi-monthly Saturday food pickup
- Approximately 250 meal boxes per distribution
- Partner: Boston Food Bank
- Operated by parish staff and volunteers
Sacred Heart Cemetery
The parish maintains Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs for Catholic burial on Martha's Vineyard. Assistance is arranged through the Parish Office.
- Cemetery Commissioners: Deacon Fred and Megan Alley
- Contact the Parish Office for assistance
Volunteer Opportunities
The parish regularly invites parishioners and visitors to share their time as catechists, aides, and Confirmation-prep volunteers.
- Adult Formation / OCIA — contact Sergio Racigh, 774-310-0028, [email protected]
- CGS Catechists & Aides — contact Sue Pagliccia, 508-693-0342, [email protected]
- 7th/8th grade and high school — Sue Pagliccia
- Confirmation Prep — Sue Pagliccia
Facilities
The parish's three worship churches and Parish Center are all on Martha's Vineyard. Mass intentions can be requested online through the parish website.
- Our Lady Star of the Sea — 22 Massasoit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
- St. Augustine's Church — 56 Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
- St. Elizabeth's Church — 86 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539
- Parish Center — 55 School Street, Oak Bluffs (across from Town Hall)
- Mailing Address — PO Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
- Office Phone 508-693-0342 | Fax 508-693-8517
- Office Hours: M–W, F 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (closed Thursdays and Monday holidays)
- Gift Shop — located inside the main entrance of the Parish Center (First Communion items, cards, etc.)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father McMahon of St. Lawrence's Parish, New Bedford1879–c.1896
First pastor on Martha's Vineyard; oversaw construction of Sacred Heart Church in Cottage City (1880).
- Pastors of Sacred Heart / independent Vineyard parishes1896–1996
Parish life continued under various pastors; Sacred Heart became an independent parish Feb. 1, 1903; St. Elizabeth's in Edgartown was declared independent in 1969.
- Rev. Michael R. Nagle1996–2021
28 years on the Island. Consolidated the three Island parishes into Good Shepherd Parish (May 2, 2004); designed the parish coat of arms; learned Brazilian Portuguese to serve the Brazilian community; oversaw Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Parish Council and Finance Committee unity from 1997. Retired August 18, 2021.
- Rev. Paul C. Fedak2021–2025
Restored tabernacles to center of sanctuaries; brought First Saturday Masses back; expanded Adoration, Confession, and Lenten Stations of the Cross; oversaw repairs at St. Elizabeth's and St. Augustine's. Reassigned June 18, 2025 to St. Anthony–St. Rita Parish, Mattapoisett.
- Rev. Joseph Pasala2025–present
From Govindbhapuram, India; ordained priest January 4, 2011; incardinated into Diocese of Fall River June 26, 2023; came from St. Mary's Parish, Norton.