Despite rain showers, St. Mary celebrates May flowers

Congregation member Paula Sharp gives back to St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church in a multitude of ways, including previously serving as the correspondence secretary for the Women's Guild. But fellow parishioners also laud her qualities as a generous, kind friend.

"She's a blessing to the church, and we're grateful for her," said JoAnn Sifuentes, who led the rosary for a special Sunday service that fell on Mother's Day.

The Women's Guild selected Sharp as the special honoree at this weekend's May Crowning Ceremony. Amid spring showers that afternoon, Sharp had the privilege of placing a flower crown atop the statue of Mary outside the church.

That morning's ceremony began indoors, with Father Robert Dziediak offering an opening prayer and Lyn Kennelly introducing Sharp.

Kennelly, vice president of the Women's Guild, commended this year's honoree for her focus on giving back to the community and commitment to attending daily mass. Sharp also co-chaired multiple guild events, is a Eucharistic minister and altar server, and co-chairs an annual bible study, among other activities.

When not working with the church, Sharp volunteers with Tidewell Hospice, visiting nursing home residents.

"You are a remarkable, amazing and devoted woman we're all blessed to know," Kennelly told Sharp in front of churchgoers. 

Sharp is originally from Buffalo, New York, and she has been a Longboat Key resident since she moved from northern California in 2017. She worked in information technology for the financial and insurance sectors for more than 40 years before retiring to the Key.

She appreciates how her church family made her feel right at home here, where she and her husband bought a vacation home in 1983.

"The Blessed Mother is very special in my heart, as well as this church," she said. "To be able to honor our lady by crowning her on this special day means a lot to me."

After the indoor service, attendees brought their umbrellas to the seating area in front of the church, where they sang hymns led by Sandy Montrone while Sharp placed the violet-colored circlet on the marble statue.

Gerri Nagle, who joined the congregation 25 years ago, was last year's honoree. She said it was wonderful to receive recognition she never expected, and she was overjoyed to now be celebrating her friend.

Kennelly said the church values celebrating Mary all year, but May is a particularly exceptional time to uplift a figure so central to their faith.