Every Sunday during summer, a stretch of sand in Long Beach, New York, is transformed into a sanctuary for hundreds of worshippers.

Since 2014, a collaboration called Beach Catholic has hosted weekly outdoor Masses on the shore, attracting more than 1,000 attendees each week and reaching over 50,000 people over the last 10 years, Fox News reported.

Beach Catholic brings together three Catholic parishes on Long Island—St. Ignatius Martyr, St. Mary of The Isle, and Our Lady of The Miraculous Medal. Their shared mission is to offer a public expression of faith beyond the confines of church buildings, especially during the summer months of July and August.

Faith in the sand sees growing crowds

The group's weekly beach Masses take place in front of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, situated in the vibrant beach town of Long Beach. Services begin early enough to catch both the rising sun and a steady stream of faithful onlookers, as many passersby from the boardwalk also pause to participate.

During one recent Mass on July 13, 2025, 1,200 people gathered at the waterfront to pray, listen to the Word of God, and receive the Eucharist under the open sky. That Sunday was one of the largest services in the program’s decade-long history, according to attendee Dee Santos.

“What I love is, first of all, we have this beautiful gift from God of the beach, and we get to celebrate His gifts to us in His presence on the beach,” Santos said. She noted that the public setting frequently engages people who weren't expecting to join a religious service.

An idea sparked by outreach goals

Jordan Bernhardi, Beach Catholic’s director of operations, views the public Masses as an active response to a call from Pope Leo XIV for the Church to embrace its missionary role. He emphasized the importance of reaching people who may not attend Mass inside a church.

"We believe that the answer is to bring Him out," Bernhardi said. "There is something so powerful about hundreds of Catholics, kneeling before their King and receiving Him in the Eucharist, at the beach."

Statistics shared by Bernhardi show that, since the initiative began in 2014, more than 50,000 worshippers have participated in the beach Mass. Attendees often travel from across Long Island and even New York City to take part in the services.

Breaking traditional faith boundaries

Fr. Brian Barr, pastor of Beach Catholic, acknowledged that public expressions of faith can be challenging, particularly for younger generations. But he sees the outdoor Masses as a key opportunity to confront and overcome that discomfort.

“When you were a kid, did you remember being uneasy or embarrassed about expressing your faith in front of others?” he asked. “Like most things that scare us, the more you confront them, the quicker you conquer them.”

Fr. Brian believes that taking worship to more public spaces, such as beaches and streets, empowers believers and strengthens their conviction. He calls the Eucharist "our most important prayer" and says delivering it beyond church walls creates a lasting impact.

Stories of connection and transformation

For some, this weekly ritual on the sand has been life-changing. Tim Murphy, a longtime attendee, met his wife during one of the early Beach Masses. Now, they share the tradition with their son.

"My wife and I actually met here because of the beach Mass, and so my son would not be born without the beach Mass," Murphy said. "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have this many people come together and celebrate outside."

Tim and his family have made it a tradition to return each summer. He encourages others to join at least once, describing the atmosphere as both welcoming and spiritually powerful.

Bringing new voices and fresh energy

Each summer, the series draws a rotating mix of clergy members and guest speakers from the region. This variety keeps the experience dynamic and representative of the broader Catholic community across Long Island’s Barrier Island area.

Santos also appreciates the diversity of perspectives heard at the beach Masses. “It’s also really nice to bring in other voices from the church,” she said. “It lets us hear about what’s going on across the Barrier Island and get to celebrate being Catholic and worshipping together.”

For many attendees, the rhythms of waves and seagulls only amplify the sacred music and prayers carried by the ocean breeze. The setting has become a unique spiritual refuge for locals and visitors alike.

A decade and thousands of lives impacted

After ten years of consistent performances, the program continues to attract large, dedicated crowds. With some participants returning each season, and others discovering it serendipitously while walking along the boardwalk, word-of-mouth has played a key role in its growth.

Organizers credit the success to the welcoming atmosphere, the scenic and symbolic location, and the powerful sense of togetherness fostered in each service. Bernhardi sees it as a sign that public worship remains relevant—and even necessary—in today’s culture.

"In a culture that needs Jesus now, maybe more than ever before," he said, "we believe that the answer is to bring Him out."