About Shrine of St. Therese · Pueblo, Colorado
The Shrine of St. Therese is a Roman Catholic shrine church located at 300 Goodnight Avenue in Pueblo, Colorado, serving as the principal church dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the 'Little Flower'), who is the principal patroness of the Diocese of Pueblo. The parish was established in 1949 under Bishop Joseph C. Willging, who had visited the Carmel in Lisieux, France, and promised to build a shrine in her honor. The current church building, completed in October 1994 and incorporating the architectural style of the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, serves approximately 748 families and is staffed by a pastor, deacon, and a robust complement of liturgical and social ministries.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Chrisman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pueblo
Why belong here
The Shrine of St. Therese offers daily and Sunday Mass in a uniquely beautiful church modeled on the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where St. Thérèse lived and died — making it a true pilgrimage site right in southern Colorado. It is the principal shrine of the Diocese of Pueblo, anchored by perpetual-style Eucharistic adoration Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with Benediction and Rosary at 6:00 p.m.), strong K-8 religious formation and Confirmation prep, an active school, and a wide network of parish ministries including lectors, extraordinary ministers, ushers, choir, the Little Flower Sewing Group, and outreach to the homebound.
Mass times at Shrine of St. Therese
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 p.m.
- Sunday 1:00–3:30 p.m. (Monday–Thursday listed in office schedule; or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Thursday 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Friday 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Benediction and Rosary at 6:00 p.m.
History of the Shrine of St. Therese
The Shrine of St. Therese was founded in 1949 under the vision of Bishop Joseph C. Willging, the first Bishop of Pueblo, who had visited the Carmel in Lisieux, France, and promised to build a shrine in honor of St. Thérèse. Rev. Monsignor Joseph F. Warnat was appointed founding pastor; he supervised construction of the original church and contributed his artistic talents, designing the communion rail and conceptualizing the altar backdrop. The cornerstone of the original semi-basement church was laid on January 2, 1949; the building seated 400 parishioners and cost $150,000.
- 1946 — Bishop Willging purchases two-block site for church, school, and rectory.
- January 2, 1949 — Cornerstone of original church laid.
- September 1949 — St. Therese Catholic School opens with 60 students in grades 1–8.
- 1956 — All-purpose school building added to accommodate 300 students from 750 families.
- 1971 — Parochial schools in Pueblo close.
- 1988 — Design team travels to Lisieux to study original Carmelite architecture.
- 1989 — Building fund started for new church.
- October 1994 — Current Shrine church completed.
- 1995 — New church incorporated under Bishop Arthur Tafoya.
- September 2000 — St. Therese Catholic School reopens as a diocesan school.
- 2019 — 'A Shower of Roses' commemorative book published for 70th/25th anniversaries.
Architecture & Design
The current church, completed in October 1994, was designed by architect G. Luis Castillo with liturgical designer Drew Bacigalupa, based on direct study of the Carmelite Convent in Lisieux. The ground plan follows that of the first St. Peter's Basilica built by Emperor Constantine, while the decorative motifs are drawn from the simple beauty of St. Thérèse's childhood home in Alençon and from the Lisieux Carmel. Signature features replicated from the original Carmel include a Focal Tower, a Baptismal Tower, an Eucharistic Tower, and skylights in the Shrine and Cloister areas. A separate St. Therese Chapel on the property hosts daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration.
- Architect: G. Luis Castillo
- Liturgical designer: Drew Bacigalupa
- Ground plan: based on Constantine's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
- Decorative style: Lisieux Carmel and Alençon family home
- Focal Tower, Baptismal Tower, Eucharistic Tower
- Skylights in the Shrine and Cloister areas
- St. Therese Chapel (for daily Mass and adoration)
Parish Staff
The Shrine is staffed by a pastor and deacon, supported by an office and ministry team. Contact the parish office at (719) 542-1788.
- Rev. Michael Chrisman — Pastor (ext. 4)
- Deacon Carl Cook
- Theresa Farley (ext. 3)
- Charlotte Martinez — Religious Education (ext. 7)
- Shelly Palumbo — Lead Catechist (ext. 8)
- Mary Sandoval — Baptism Coordinator (ext. 5)
- Carol Kristan — Reception (ext. 2)
- Connie Roman — Reception
- Lisa Jansson — Reception
- Julie Costello — Ministry Coordinator / Reception (ext. 2)
- Terri Cook — Music Coordinator (ext. 8)
- Kevin Keys — Maintenance (ext. 2)
- Michele Prado-Landreth — Sacristan (ext. 2)
Religious Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation at the Shrine is K–8, with two-year sacramental preparation tracks for First Reconciliation/First Communion (beginning in 1st grade, received in 2nd) and Confirmation (beginning in 5th grade, received in 6th). Adult faith formation, including OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and Adult Confirmation, meets Sunday mornings with Father Michael and Deacon Carl. Youth ministry is offered in partnership with Christ the King parish.
- Religious Education (Grades K–4): Sundays 9:15–10:45 a.m. in the parish hall/gym
- Confirmation I (Grades 5–6): Sundays 9:15–10:45 a.m.
- Confirmation II (Grades 7–8): Sundays 9:15–10:45 a.m.
- Adult Faith Formation / OCIA / Adult Confirmation: Sundays 9:30–10:30 a.m. in the church hospitality room
- Family Faith Formation / Youth Ministry: partnered with Christ the King parish
- Sacramental preparation in accordance with the Sacramental Guidelines of the Diocese of Pueblo
- Sacramental Prep packets available in English and Spanish
St. Therese Catholic School
St. Therese Catholic School opened in September 1949 with 60 students in grades one through eight. Enrollment grew rapidly, and by 1956 a new all-purpose building had been added to serve 300 students drawn from 750 parish families. The parochial school closed in 1971 along with other Pueblo Catholic schools but reopened in September 2000 as a diocesan school, continuing the parish's long commitment to Catholic elementary education.
- Opened September 1949 (60 students, grades 1–8)
- All-purpose building added 1956 (300 students)
- Closed 1971 with other Pueblo parochial schools
- Reopened September 2000 as a diocesan school
Parish Ministries
The Shrine has a wide network of lay ministries that support liturgy, hospitality, formation, outreach, and parish life. New volunteers may contact Ministry Coordinator Julie Costello at the parish office ([email protected]).
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Greeters
- Sacristan
- Adoration Captain
- Music Ministry — Choir, Cantor, Instruments
- Social Ministry
- Homebound Ministry
- Coffee and Donuts
- Grocery Card Sales
- Little Flower Sewing Group
- Maintenance Committee
- Porter
- Office Volunteer
- Church Environment
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are arranged through coordinator Mary Sandoval; families of children preparing for First Reconciliation/First Communion or Confirmation follow a two-year formation track. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons and by appointment. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation.
- Baptism (contact Mary Sandoval, ext. 5)
- First Reconciliation & First Solemn Eucharist (2-year prep, begins grade 1)
- Confirmation (2-year prep, begins grade 5, received in grade 6)
- Reconciliation — Sat 3:00–4:00 p.m., or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Marriage — contact the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Monsignor Joseph F. Warnat1949–
Founding pastor; artist and designer who supervised construction of the original 1949 church, conceptualized the altar backdrop, and designed the communion rail.
- Rev. (William) Liam Courtneyserved since July 2003
Past pastor referenced in The Rose parish bulletin.
- Rev. Michael Chrismancurrent
Current pastor.