When Sunny Isles Beach became a city in 1997, St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Parish gave space for the new city's after-school programs and summer camps, and supplied the city's first basketball hoop. Last week the city said thank you with an honor it has given only three times: a Key to the City.

The key went to the Archdiocese of Miami, the parish's parent church, at a ceremony on Oct. 14 in the David P. Samson Commission Chambers at Sunny Isles Beach City Hall. Archbishop Thomas Wenski accepted it on the archdiocese's behalf. The archdiocese published its account of the ceremony on Oct. 19.

What the parish did for a brand-new city

According to the archdiocese, St. Mary Magdalen stepped in during the years right after Sunny Isles Beach incorporated, when the young city was still building its services from scratch. The parish:

  • gave the city space for after-school programs and summer camps;
  • served as a polling place;
  • made its property available for civic activities;
  • and supplied the city's first basketball hoop.

The parish was founded in 1952, 45 years before the city incorporated, according to the archdiocese.

A key the city rarely hands out

The Key to the City is a relatively new distinction in Sunny Isles Beach. The Archdiocese of Miami is only its third recipient, according to the archdiocese's account of the ceremony. Vice Mayor Jennifer Viscarra led the recognition, and city officials, clergy and community members attended. The city recognized the archdiocese for decades of charitable outreach, community service and partnership.

The ceremony also included a separate recognition for Archbishop Wenski himself, for his leadership and years of service.

The parish today

St. Mary Magdalen counts about 800 registered families, and an estimated 800 to 850 people attend its weekend Masses, according to the archdiocese. Father Manuel Galván Vargas has led the parish as parochial administrator since February 2024.

Its outreach is the reason the city cited. Parish ministries visit the sick and help individuals and families who are struggling to meet basic needs. Every Wednesday, volunteers from the parish's Society of St. Vincent de Paul hand out food, hygiene products and other necessities.

The parish also shares its grounds with Marian Towers, an archdiocesan residence that provides affordable housing for older adults.

Where it happened

Sunny Isles Beach City Hall is in the city's Government Center at 18070 Collins Ave., where the commission chambers are named for David P. Samson.

Sources