About Church of the Little Flower · Coral Gables, Florida
Church of the Little Flower is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the heart of residential Coral Gables, Florida, situated near the landmark Biltmore Hotel and just minutes from downtown Miami. The parish was established in 1926 at the request of a small group of Catholics in the newly-planned city of Coral Gables, and it was named in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the recently-canonized Carmelite known as 'The Little Flower.' Today, the parish serves more than 3,000 registered households in a Spanish Renaissance sanctuary built in 1951, accompanied by the partner school Saint Theresa Catholic School. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Miami and is the spiritual home of a vibrant, multilingual community that worships in English, Spanish, and (monthly) Italian.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (the 'Little Flower')
- Rector
- Rev. Manuel F. 'Manny' Alvarez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
Church of the Little Flower offers the rare combination of a historic, architecturally beautiful Spanish Renaissance sanctuary and a large, active parish family of more than 3,000 households. Mass is celebrated daily in English and Spanish (with a monthly Italian Mass), the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel is open 24/7/365, and the parish operates its own Catholic school, Saint Theresa Catholic School, run by the Carmelite Sisters. With dozens of ministries — youth, OCIA, marriage and family life, homeless outreach, scouting, Legion of Mary, Charismatic Prayer, Emmaus retreats and more — there is a place for almost every age, language, and calling.
Mass times at Church of the Little Flower
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 8:30am–10:00am in the church
- By appointment — contact the Parish Office
Adoration times
- St. Joseph Adoration Chapel — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Welcome and Parish Overview
Church of the Little Flower describes itself as approaching its 95th year of service and 'among the most beautiful churches in South Florida.' Located in the heart of the residential section of Coral Gables — just down the street from the historic Biltmore Hotel — the parish is known for its architectural beauty, its marble sanctuary, and the magnificent reredos that frames the altar. The Latin phrase 'Ego sum lux mundi' ('I am the Light of the World,' John 8:12) is etched above the cross, and an illuminated cross atop the Spanish Renaissance dome is lit every night. With more than 3,200 registered families and an international reputation for weddings and baptisms, the parish offers a 'ready welcome' to visitors and longtime residents alike; registration is handled through its My Own Church portal.
History of the Parish
The full history section tells the story of a parish born after its own school (St. Joseph Academy, 1925), founded by Bishop Patrick J. Barry in 1926, and built up over a century by nine pastors and two orders of religious sisters. It covers the founding pastor's arrival, the Depression-era construction of Comber Hall in 1927, wartime service, the realization of Msgr. Comber's Spanish Renaissance dream church in 1951-52, the 1991 transition of the school to the Carmelite Sisters, and the installation of Fr. Manny Alvarez as the ninth pastor in 2019.
- 1926 — Parish established, named for newly-canonized St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- 1926 — Msgr. Thomas Comber arrives as founding pastor
- 1927 — Comber Hall (temporary church/auditorium) dedicated Dec. 8
- 1951 — Construction of the permanent Spanish Renaissance church begins
- 1952 — Permanent church dedicated Dec. 8 by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley; cost $628,000
- 1991 — Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles take over the school
- 2019 — Fr. Manny Alvarez named 9th pastor (June)
- 2026 — Parish Centennial year
Parish Staff and Clergy
The pastoral team is led by the pastor and parochial vicar, supported by three priests in residence, three permanent deacons, and parish office staff including the Director of Religious Education, Parish Manager, Music Director, Director of Development, Wedding Coordinator, Receptionist, parish secretary, maintenance, and housekeeper.
- Pastor: Fr. Manny Alvarez (9th pastor)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. David Zallocco
- Priests in Residence: Fr. Fidelis Uko, Fr. Francis Gnanasegaram, Fr. Stephen Saawuan
- Deacons: Luis J. Cuza, Juan Del Sol, Roberto Fleitas
- Parish Manager / DRE: Jorge Santibáñez
- Director of Music Ministries / Choirmaster & Organist: Luis J. Cuza
- Director of Development: Lauren Michalski
- Admin. Asst. to the Pastor / Sacramental Records: Lily Portu
- Receptionist / COTLF Charities Coordinator: Lauren Michalski
- Wedding Coordinator: Juan Del Sol
- Parish Secretary: Charlotte Ushela
- Housekeeper: Taimi Torres
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Parish Religious Education program offers ongoing faith formation for students in all grade levels beginning in Kindergarten, plus sacramental preparation for the Baptism of children ages 7-16, Reconciliation and First Eucharist (starting as early as 1st Grade), and Confirmation (starting as early as 7th Grade). Classes meet on Wednesdays during the school year. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, the new name for the RCIA) runs weekly Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the St. Theresa School Cafeteria on Sevilla Avenue.
- Religious Ed (K–High School): Wednesdays, 4:00pm–5:15pm (K–6) and 6:30pm–7:45pm (7th–12th)
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults: Tuesdays 7:00pm–9:00pm
- Sacramental prep: Baptism (ages 7–16), Reconciliation/First Communion (1st Grade+), Confirmation (7th Grade+)
- Biblical Studies: 'Seekers' (every other Monday 11:30am) and Evening English Bible Study (Mondays 7:00pm)
Saint Theresa Catholic School
Saint Theresa Catholic School is the parish school, originally founded in 1925 as St. Joseph Academy by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Augustine and renamed St. Theresa in 1932 when it gained Southern Association accreditation. Since 1991 it has been administered by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, at the invitation of then-Pastor Father Kenneth Whittaker. The school building, like the church, is a designated historical site of the City of Coral Gables.
- Originally St. Joseph Academy (1925); renamed St. Theresa School in 1932
- Run by Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Augustine for 65 years
- Operated by Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles since 1991
- Centennial in 2025; school and church designated Coral Gables historical sites
Liturgical Ministries
The parish offers a wide range of liturgical ministries that involve parishioners directly in the celebration of the Mass. Boys and girls may serve at the altar after their First Holy Communion; lectors are drawn from both adults and children; and the Music Ministry — under Director of Music Ministries and Choirmaster/Organist Luis J. Cuza — uplifts the liturgies in the Spanish Renaissance sanctuary. Saint Thérèse's musical legacy is being extended by a new pipe organ, identified as the 'crown jewel' centennial project.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors (adults and children)
- Music Ministry / Choir (Luis J. Cuza, Director)
- New pipe organ (centennial 'crown jewel' project)
Prayer, Retreats, and Spiritual Life
Beyond the Mass, the parish hosts a deep bench of prayer and formation groups for English- and Spanish-speaking members. Movements represented include the Charismatic Renewal (English and Spanish), the Legion of Mary (English and Spanish), the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, Emmaus Retreats (English and Spanish), and Prayer & Life Workshops. Marriage enrichment comes through the Marriage Covenant Retreat, and the parish operates an around-the-clock Adoration Chapel in honor of St. Joseph.
- Charismatic Prayer Group (English & Spanish)
- Legion of Mary (English & Spanish)
- Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement
- Emmaus Retreats (English & Spanish) with follow-up meetings
- Prayer & Life Workshops
- Marriage Covenant Retreat
- Bible Study groups (English)
- 24/7 St. Joseph Adoration Chapel
Service and Outreach
Service is a hallmark of parish life. The Homeless Ministry partners with the Miami Rescue Mission to serve dinner to about 350 men, women and children one Sunday a month (the 2nd Sunday), with food donated by parishioners and neighborhood stores. The Homebound Ministry arranges visits by priests, deacons and lay ministers to bring Communion, confession and anointing to those who cannot attend Mass. Additional outreach includes an Infertility Ministry for couples struggling with infertility or pregnancy/infant loss, 'Amor en Acción,' and a Military / Veterans / First Responders Outreach.
- Homeless Ministry (monthly dinners at the Miami Rescue Mission)
- Homebound Ministry (Communion, confession, anointing)
- Infertility Ministry (Married couples, pregnancy/infant loss)
- Amor en Acción
- Military / Veterans / First Responders Outreach
- Catechists / Religious Education teachers
- COTLF Charities
Parish Centennial and Building on Our Legacy Campaign
The parish is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2026, with the school already celebrating its centennial in 2025. A 'Building on Our Legacy' campaign is funding a new pipe organ (described by parish leadership as the 'crown jewel' centennial project), the construction of a gym and Multipurpose Center on the Saint Theresa School campus (mandated by the school's 2022 re-accreditation), and other campus improvements. Fr. Manny Alvarez, parish staff and the Carmelite Sisters are working together with the Archdiocese of Miami on these projects.
- New pipe organ (centennial 'crown jewel')
- St. Theresa School Multipurpose Center / Gym
- Campus and historic-building improvements for 2026 centennial
Getting Involved / Joining the Parish
The parish invites visitors, longtime residents and newcomers to register as parishioners through its 'My Own Church' online portal. Those interested in the Catholic faith can begin the OCIA journey by contacting Deacon Roberto F. Fleitas, Jr., and prospective school families can reach out to Saint Theresa Catholic School. Wedding inquiries go through Wedding Coordinator Juan Del Sol.
- Parish registration via 'My Own Church' portal
- OCIA inquiries: Deacon Roberto F. Fleitas, Jr.
- Religious Education: Jorge Santibáñez, DRE — [email protected], 305-446-9950 Ext. 307
- Weddings: Juan Del Sol, Wedding Coordinator
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Thomas Comber1926–1962 (approx.)
Irish missionary; founding pastor. Oversaw construction of Comber Hall (1927) and the permanent Spanish Renaissance church (dedicated 1952). Served 36 years; later named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor).
- Father Kenneth Whittaker
Invited the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles to take over St. Theresa School in 1991. During his tenure, the school and church buildings were designated historical sites in the City of Coral Gables.
- Father Michael Davis
Presented a Centennial Plan to the Parish Council in December 2018 in anticipation of the parish's 2026 centennial.
- Rev. Manuel F. 'Manny' AlvarezJune 2019–present
9th Pastor; born and raised in the parish boundaries; led the parish through the COVID-19 pandemic and opened the 24/7 Adoration Chapel; oversees the parish centennial campaign.