Father Ken Gill | Our Lady Star of the Sea. Solomons, MD

Submitted by: Megan Brier

Father Gill, new to our parish as of last year, immediately started Mass online after the churches were closed due to Covid. He also introduced our parish to FlockNotes to keep us connected to our parish with information regarding our parish and the archdiocese. Father Gill held confession outside the church in a “drive by” capacity, to keep us safe. In addition to all the Covid challenges, our parish has faced financial difficulties and Father Gill made the hard choices of eliminating programs and staff to save our parish and our school, our most important mission. Additionally, Father Gill took the Eucharist to many parishioners in their homes, keeping us connected to Jesus and our parish community.

Father Gill has had a great impact on my faith. He was only ordained six years ago, late in life (he’s in his 50’s) and has brought such reverence to the sacraments. His understanding and sharing of his faith has brought me closer to God. Upon arriving at Our Lady Star of the Sea he educated himself on the rich history of our area with one of the first Catholic settlements in America and shared many of the details in his homilies.

When Father Gill says Mass, at the time of the Consecration, I can see on his face a look of holiness that I’ve only experienced a few times. One time was when my brother was ordained by Pope John Paul in 1992 and I knew I was in the presence of a holy man.

I believe Father Gill deserves to be recognized for the 2020 In Service of One Another because he has gone above and beyond in his service to Our Lady Star of the Sea. Our new church just celebrated its 10th year and he led the Parish (virtually and in person) with a 21 day preparation for the consecration of our church to the Blessed Virgin Mary, concluding with a beautiful dedication Mass to our Lady.

I feel blessed to know Father Gill and feel that God truly sent us the right priest at the right time.