About Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa · Honolulu, Hawaii
The Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus is a co-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church and Diocese of Honolulu, located in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Honolulu at 712 North School Street. Originally established in 1931 as St. Theresa Parish by Vicar Apostolic Msgr. Stephen Alencastre, a Belgian Picpus (SS.CC.) missionary, the church was elevated to the dignity of co-cathedral on July 28, 1985 to accommodate the diocese's expanding Catholic population and its larger physical size compared to the principal Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. It is most often used for pontifical liturgies such as the annual Chrism Mass, ordinations, and episcopal installations, and serves a diverse community that includes a thriving Vietnamese Holy Martyrs community with its own Masses in Vietnamese.
- Established
- 1931
- Patron
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. Manuel Hewe
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu (Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu)
Why belong here
The Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus is one of the most multi-ethnic parishes on Oahu — its main calendar is in English but it also hosts a vibrant Vietnamese Holy Martyrs community with multiple Vietnamese-language Masses each week, reflecting the predominantly Asian-Pacific character of Kalihi-Palama. The parish grounds include the Catholic-affiliated St. Theresa School (preschool through grade 8) and the canonical seat for the Bishop of Honolulu's major liturgies, so worshippers regularly experience diocesan-wide celebrations like the Chrism Mass and ordinations. With active ministries ranging from the Soup Kitchen, Pro-Life Rosary, Monday Night Prayer Group, Eucharistic Adoration (Thursday all-day from September through April), Stations of the Cross during Lent, RCIA, and Knights/choir/men's and women's fellowship, there are many ways to plug into parish life — and its location on North School Street makes it easily accessible from downtown Honolulu.
Mass times at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays at 6:15 PM in the church (or by appointment)
- Communal Penance Services are scheduled during Advent, Lent, and Summer
Adoration times
- Holy Hour, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament — Wednesdays at 6:00 PM (First Wednesdays of the month with the Bishop)
- Eucharistic Adoration — Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (September through April)
History of the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
Originally established as St. Theresa Parish in 1931 by Msgr. Stephen Alencastre, SS.CC. (a Belgian Picpus missionary and Vicar Apostolic of the Hawaiian Islands), the church was completed in a remarkable single year with construction finished in September 1932. Within two decades, the original wooden structure showed signs of deterioration. Monsignor Benedict M. Vierra, the pastor and diocesan vicar general, spearheaded a fundraising drive beginning in 1956 to rebuild in concrete. The present church was dedicated on August 15, 1963 (the Feast of the Assumption). The parish was canonically elevated to co-cathedral of the Diocese of Honolulu on July 28, 1985, after Bishop Joseph Ferrario petitioned Pope John Paul II — chosen because Saint Theresa is physically larger than the original Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and could accommodate the diocese's growing Catholic population for major pontifical liturgies.
- Founded: 1931 by Msgr. Stephen Alencastre, SS.CC.
- Original wooden church completed: September 1932
- Concrete replacement begun: 1956 under Msgr. Benedict M. Vierra
- Rebuilt church dedicated: August 15, 1963
- Elevated to co-cathedral: July 28, 1985 (papal decree)
- Vietnamese Holy Martyrs community present alongside the English-speaking parish
Architecture and Campus
The present-day co-cathedral is a Modern-style concrete church completed and dedicated in 1963, replacing the 1931-32 wooden original. After its 1985 elevation to co-cathedral, the interior was reconfigured to install a second cathedra (the bishop's chair) alongside other furnishings appropriate to its new dignity. The campus includes St. Theresa School — a 1956 two-story concrete school building with a 1995 second-floor addition providing an air-conditioned computer lab, faculty workroom, expanded office space, and library — as well as a convent chapel, Sacred Heart Hall (used for Lenten soup-and-sharing after Stations of the Cross), and ample parish grounds.
- Style: Modern (concrete)
- Replaced original 1931-32 wooden structure
- Second cathedra installed in 1985
- St. Theresa School (1956 concrete building; 1995 addition)
- Chapel used for Stations of the Cross and Monday Night Prayer Group
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Manuel Hewe (Pastor/Rector). Clergy includes Rev. Anthony Huy-Cuong Tran as chaplain and parochial vicar for the Vietnamese Holy Martyrs community, alongside active deacons Raymond Lamb, Francis Leasiolagi, and Marlowe Sabater, and retired deacon Roy Matsuo. Vietnamese deacon Paul Jonathan Lâm Thắng serves the VHM community. Lay staff cover music ministry (Bernie Gora, also principal of St. Theresa School), religious education (Sister Mercedita Estrella, SPC), the parish office, communications, facilities, safe environment, and outreach.
- Pastor: Rev. Manuel Hewe
- Parochial Vicar / VHM Chaplain: Rev. Anthony Huy-Cuong Tran
- Deacons: Raymond Lamb, Francis Leasiolagi, Marlowe Sabater (active); Roy Matsuo (retired); Paul Jonathan Lâm Thắng (VHM)
- Pastoral Associate / DRE: Sister Mercedita Estrella, SPC
- Director of Music: Bernie Gora
- Office Coordinator: Pinky Mendoza
- Parish Secretary: Jennifer Asuncion
- Communications Coordinator: Grace Young
- Safe Environment Liaison: Tyra Lamb
- Facilities Manager: Anthony Navor
Saint Theresa School (Preschool through Grade 8)
Founded in 1931 under Rev. Charles Windels, SS.CC., with two Sisters of the Sacred Hearts teaching about 100 students in two classrooms, Saint Theresa School is one of the largest Catholic schools in Hawaii. The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts left in 1938 due to a lack of religious personnel; the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet took over in September 1938 and led the school through its growth decades. A new concrete two-story school was built in 1956 under Monsignor Benedict Vierra; in 1995 a second-floor addition added a computer lab and faculty workroom; a preschool opened in 2015. Today the school is accredited, with Principal Bernie Gora and continues to pursue six-year accreditation through 2022 and beyond.
- Founded 1931; first pastor Rev. Charles Windels, SS.CC.
- Taught first by Sisters of the Sacred Hearts; then by Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (from Sept 1938)
- Current concrete school building: 1956; second-floor addition 1995
- Preschool opened 2015
- Accredited Catholic school; principal Bernie Gora
Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Community
The Co-Cathedral hosts the Vietnamese Holy Martyrs (VHM) community, which maintains its own chaplain (Rev. Anthony Huy-Cuong Tran) and deacon (Paul Jonathan Lâm Thắng), and offers a full schedule of Vietnamese-language Masses throughout the week and a Sunday Vietnamese Mass at 3:30 PM. The community provides a home for Vietnamese Catholics in Honolulu's Kalihi-Palama neighborhood, many of whom trace their immigrant roots to the late 20th-century Vietnamese diaspora.
- Chaplain: Fr. Anthony Huy-Cuong Tran
- Deacon: Paul Jonathan Lâm Thắng
- Sunday Vietnamese Mass: 3:30 PM
- Saturday Vigil Vietnamese Mass: 7:00 PM
- Weekday Vietnamese Masses: Mon, Tue, Thu at 5:30 PM
- Community website: https://vietnameseholymartyrs.org/
Religious Education and Youth Ministry
The parish's Religious Education program, led by Sister Mercedita Estrella, SPC, serves children, teens, and adults. Programs include sacramental preparation for children (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), ongoing faith formation for those who have already received the sacraments of Initiation (the 'Growing in Jesus Catechesis' Children's Ministry for Grades 3 and 4), Adult Confirmation classes, Adult Baptism / RCIA registration, and a Comprehensive Youth Ministry for middle school and high school students.
- Sacramental prep for children and teens (K through High School)
- Growing in Jesus Catechesis — Children Ministry (Grades 3 & 4)
- Adult Confirmation registration ongoing for SY 2025-2026
- Adult Baptism / RCIA registration ongoing
- Comprehensive Youth Ministry (Middle & High School)
Ministries and Outreach
The Co-Cathedral has a wide range of lay-led ministries and outreach efforts. Liturgical roles include Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans, Altar Servers (Grades 3+), Senior Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the Liturgical Linen Service. Spiritual and devotional groups include the Monday Night Prayer Group, Pro-Life Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration volunteers, Stations of the Cross during Lent, and the Music Ministry/Choir. Pastoral groups include the Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Council, Fellowship Committee, Offertory Counters, and Flowers and Grounds volunteers. Outreach happens through the monthly Soup Kitchen and Baptism Preparation classes for parents.
- Liturgical: Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Liturgical Linen Service
- Spiritual: Monday Night Prayer Group, Pro-Life Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration (Thu 9 AM–3 PM, Sept–Apr), Music Ministry/Choir (Tue 7 PM rehearsal)
- Pastoral: Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Council, Fellowship Committee, Offertory Counters, Flowers & Grounds
- Outreach: Monthly Soup Kitchen for the homeless
- Fellowship: Men's Group (biweekly Sat 7:30–8:50 AM), Women's Group (occasional gatherings)
Sacraments and Devotions
The parish celebrates and prepares the faithful for all seven sacraments. The Sacrament of Penance / Reconciliation is offered every Wednesday at 6:15 PM in the church (or by appointment) and through communal Penance Services in Advent, Lent, and Summer. Baptism preparation classes equip parents for their child's initiation. First Eucharist and Confirmation sacramental preparation are offered through the Religious Education office for children and teens. Adult Confirmation and Adult Baptism (RCIA) classes are ongoing. Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders discernment are coordinated through the parish office.
- Baptism (with Baptism Preparation)
- Confirmation (Adult Confirmation ongoing)
- Eucharist (First Communion via Religious Education)
- Reconciliation / Penance (Wed 6:15 PM or by appointment)
- Matrimony (contact the office)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Office Hours, Contact, and Visit
The co-cathedral's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors and parishioners can phone (808) 521-1700, fax (808) 599-3629, email [email protected], or send mail to 712 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817-3030. The parish sits in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Honolulu, with parish/school parking on site.
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Phone: (808) 521-1700
- Fax: (808) 599-3629
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 712 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817-3030
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Windels, SS.CC.from 1931
First pastor of St. Theresa Parish; Picpus (Congregation of the Sacred Hearts) missionary. Organized St. Theresa School in 1931 with the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.
- Monsignor Benedict M. Vierra1956 dedication era
Pastored during the major 1950s-era growth; diocesan vicar general. Led the fundraising drive that replaced the original wooden church with the current concrete structure (dedicated August 15, 1963) and built the concrete school building in 1956.
- Rev. Gary Patrick Coltonactive ca. 2002
Pastor at the time of The Honolulu Advertiser feature in October 2002.