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How to Pray
The prayers Catholics learn first — the Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the words of the Mass.
Learn to prayResources
Read with the Church.
A quiet shelf of trustworthy Catholic sources — for those in OCIA, for Catholics who wish to go deeper, and for anyone still exploring the faith.
A help, not a substitute
You need not wander the internet alone.
The Church has already given us what we need: Scripture read with her, the Catechism, the liturgy, and a parish that will sit with your questions. The links below are offered so you can begin that reading with confidence.
They will not replace Sunday Mass, a conversation with Religious Education, or the slow work of OCIA. They will give you a place to stand — official teaching, daily readings, and the life of this parish — while you discern.
At St. Mary
Begin in this parish.
The surest next step is still a conversation here. These pages walk with you through prayer, class, and the life of St. Mary, Star of the Sea.
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Topics
The Creed, Scripture, the Church, and the sacraments — themes Catholics ordinarily study in OCIA.
Explore topics - 03
Class Schedule
The 2026–2027 Sunday gatherings, with Liguori Journey of Faith lesson topics as they are published.
View the schedule - 04
Content & Videos
Articles, lessons, and a video on the Mass from Religious Education at St. Mary.
Open the library - 05
Parish Website
Mass times, parish news, and the wider life of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Astoria.
Visit stmaryastoria.com (opens in a new tab) - 06
Talk with Religious Education
Marty Dursse, Director of Religious Education, will listen to your story and help you take a first step.
Begin a conversation
The Church
Read with those who teach in her name.
Official sources from the Holy See, the bishops of the United States, and the Archdiocese of Portland — offered as a help, not a substitute for the parish.
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The Holy See
The Church in Rome: the Holy Father, the Catechism, conciliar documents, and the life of the universal Church.
Visit the Vatican (opens in a new tab) - 02
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Teaching, prayer, and pastoral guidance from the Catholic bishops of the United States.
Visit the USCCB (opens in a new tab) - 03
Archdiocese of Portland
St. Mary belongs to the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Find local news, vocations, and diocesan ministries.
Visit the Archdiocese (opens in a new tab) - 04
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Church's summary of what she believes, celebrates, lives, and prays — a companion for the whole of OCIA.
Open the Catechism (opens in a new tab) - 05
Compendium of the Catechism
A shorter question-and-answer companion to the Catechism, suited to first reading and review.
Read the Compendium (opens in a new tab) - 06
Prayer and Worship
The liturgy of the Church: the Mass, the sacraments, the liturgical year, and how Catholics pray together.
Explore liturgy (opens in a new tab)
Sacred Scripture
Open the Word with the Church.
The Bible as Catholics receive it — including the daily Mass readings, so the Sunday liturgy can begin to sound like home.
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New American Bible
The translation used at Mass in the United States, published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Read the Bible (opens in a new tab) - 02
Daily Readings
The Scripture proclaimed at Mass today. A simple way to keep pace with the Church's year.
Today's readings (opens in a new tab) - 03
Your Journey
Inquiry, catechumenate, Lent, the Easter Vigil, and mystagogy — the Church's path of initiation, walked without hurry.
Walk the path
Recommended
Trusted Catholic resources.
A Catholic publisher and a Catholic formation app — for those who wish to continue with Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the saints at home.
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Ignatius Press
A trusted Catholic publisher of Catholic Bibles, study Bibles, theology, apologetics, catechetical materials, books on the saints, Scripture resources, and other materials for growing in the Catholic faith.
Visit Ignatius Press (opens in a new tab) - 02
Ascension: Catholic Bible
The Ascension App brings together the Catholic Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, daily Mass readings, the Rosary, saints, Bible studies, and Catholic formation in one app for iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App Store (opens in a new tab)
Quaerite et invenietis
You need not arrive certain.
Begin a conversation. Bring the questions you actually have.
Or write to us on the contact page.