Okay, so picture this: it’s Sunday night. The sun is setting over the Atlantic. The sound of waves crashing. A sea breeze in the air. And right there — Mass is happening. 

In this Morning Air episode, John Morales talks to Fr. Steven McClernon, associate pastor at Beach Catholic, a unique Catholic community in Long Island made up of three parishes. 

☀️ So, What Is Beach Catholic?

Backstory time: About 11 years ago, Fr. Brian Barr, the pastor, looked at the sand and the sea and said, “Let’s bring Jesus here.” And he did. 

Now every summer (July & August), hundreds — sometimes over a thousand — gather for Mass right on the beach at Long Beach, NY. As parishes have continued to merge more people have been coming. 

🏝️ What’s It Like?

-A custom altar made from the old boardwalk (wrecked by Hurricane Sandy)

-Crucifix, music ministry, and a sound system strong enough to compete with the ocean 🐚🎶

-Families, tourists, nursing home residents — all together in beach chairs

-Everyone kneels on the sand during the consecration. It’s reverent. It’s peaceful. It’s holy.

Evangelization... In Flip-Flops

Let’s be real: some folks haven’t been to Mass in years. But when they see it — on the beach —they stop. They watch. They stay. And hearts start turning back to God. 💔➡️❤️

Fr. Steven said they often get messages from people saying:

"I forgot what I was missing… thank you for reminding me."

This is the Gospel in action — meeting people where they are… even if they’re wearing board shorts and sunscreen. ☀️🙏

What About the Dress Code?

People come in summer clothes — shorts, t-shirts, sundresses — but they come respectfully.
When it’s time for the Eucharist, they kneel. They’re quiet. They’re there.

And the Seagulls?

Surprisingly? No issues. 😄

💡 Eucharistic Revival in Real Life

This is part of the Church’s bigger call to renew our love for the Eucharist. And Beach Catholic is doing it boldly and beautifully.

They even host Eucharistic Holy Hours on the beach. Can you imagine?! Adoration with the ocean as the backdrop? 😭🌊💓

Wanna Go?

If you're anywhere near Long Island in July or August:
📍 Sunday nights at 6:30 PM
📍 Grand Blvd. Beach, right across from St. Ignatius Martyr Church

 The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Okay, so picture this: it&rsquo;s Sunday night. The sun is setting over the Atlantic. The sound of waves crashing. A sea breeze in the air. And right there &mdash; Mass is happening.&nbsp;
In this Morning Air episode, John Morales talks to Fr. Steven McClernon, associate pastor at Beach Catholic, a unique Catholic community in Long Island made up of three parishes.&nbsp;
<hr data-start="634" data-end="637">
☀️ So, What Is Beach Catholic?
Backstory time: About 11 years ago, Fr. Brian Barr, the pastor, looked at the sand and the sea and said, &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s bring Jesus here.&rdquo; And he did.&nbsp;
Now every summer (July &amp; August), hundreds &mdash; sometimes over a thousand &mdash; gather for Mass right on the beach at Long Beach, NY. As parishes have continued to merge more people have been coming.&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1031" data-end="1034">
🏝️ What&rsquo;s It Like?
-A custom altar made from the old boardwalk (wrecked by Hurricane Sandy)
-Crucifix, music ministry, and a sound system strong enough to compete with the ocean 🐚🎶
-Families, tourists, nursing home residents &mdash; all together in beach chairs
-Everyone kneels on the sand during the consecration. It&rsquo;s reverent. It&rsquo;s peaceful. It&rsquo;s holy.
<hr data-start="1592" data-end="1595">
Evangelization... In Flip-Flops
Let&rsquo;s be real: some folks haven&rsquo;t been to Mass in years. But when they see it &mdash; on the beach &mdash;they stop. They watch. They stay. And hearts start turning back to God. 💔➡️❤️
Fr. Steven said they often get messages from people saying:
<blockquote data-start="1877" data-end="1939">
"I forgot what I was missing&hellip; thank you for reminding me."
</blockquote>
This is the Gospel in action &mdash; meeting people where they are&hellip; even if they&rsquo;re wearing board shorts and sunscreen. ☀️🙏
<hr data-start="2063" data-end="2066">
What About the Dress Code?
People come in summer clothes &mdash; shorts, t-shirts, sundresses &mdash; but they come respectfully. When it&rsquo;s time for the Eucharist, they kneel. They&rsquo;re quiet. They&rsquo;re there.
<hr data-start="2459" data-end="2462">
And the Seagulls?
Surprisingly? No issues. 😄
<hr data-start="2608" data-end="2611">
💡 Eucharistic Revival in Real Life
This is part of the&nbsp;Church&rsquo;s bigger call to renew our love for the Eucharist. And Beach Catholic is doing it boldly and beautifully.
They even host Eucharistic Holy Hours on the beach. Can you imagine?! Adoration with the ocean as the backdrop? 😭🌊💓
<hr data-start="2951" data-end="2954">
Wanna Go?
If you're anywhere near Long Island in July or August: 📍 Sunday nights at 6:30 PM 📍 Grand Blvd. Beach, right across from St. Ignatius Martyr Church
<hr>
&nbsp;The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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