Our Lady Star of the Sea School celebrates 85 Years Dedication from Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence
Father Maurice Alexander, the first resident pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea (OLSS) Roman Catholic parish, successfully established a free, community school in Solomons in 1933. Four Catholic nuns of the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP) traveled from Melbourne, Kentucky to Solomons to partner with Fr. Alexander and open the school to thirty-one students in the now-Historic Church basement. Using rolling partitions, grades were separated into primary, middle, junior high and high school students. Since those early and humble beginnings, this ongoing partnership between the OLSS parish and the Sisters has instilled a legacy of quality Catholic education in Solomons. Welcoming students and families of all faiths, Our Lady Star of the Sea School celebrates eighty-five years of serving the needs of Solomons and surrounding communities including Northern Calvert and into St. Mary’s Counties.
Fittingly, the Fifth Annual Father Alexander Gala to be held on June 9, 2018 will celebrate the compassion, perseverance and dedication of the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence shown to the OLSS community. Since 1938, at least 60 sisters have made Solomons their home and dedicated their service to the school and surrounding area including hospitals, nursing facilities and local outreach programs such as SMILE Ecumenical Ministries. Some Sisters also return to Solomons periodically for a vacation and to fellowship with the resident Sisters. According to Our Lady Star of the Sea pastor, Reverend Monsignor Michael Wilson, “The Sisters dedicated themselves to work under crowded and tight circumstances, selflessly offering their lives for the education of our parishioners.” Monsignor Wilson added, “They continue to do that today, for which we are very grateful.”
Our Lady Star of the Sea School continues to offer a quality education in grades Prekindergarten through Eighth. It incorporates discipline, responsibility, respect and Christian example into all areas of instruction as the foundation upon which students can build their lives. Please join the OLSS community in honoring the Sisters of Congregation of Divine Providence at the Fr. Alexander Gala. Many former resident Sisters will be returning to visit the community and help celebrate this milestone. There will be dinner, presentations, a trip down Memory Lane, Silent Auction and dancing to a live band. For general or sponsorship information and/or tickets, either visit the OLSS website and look under the Upcoming Events, contact Katie Franklin at 410-610-0692 or email OLSSGala@gmail.com. OLSS School Alumni 60 years and older are eligible for discounted tickets at $60 per person. All proceeds benefit Our Lady Star of the Sea School.
For further information regarding this release: W. Michael Shaw, wmshaw@comcast.net, 443-684-1350