About St. Theresa · Federal Way, Washington
St. Theresa Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle serving Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma, Washington. Established as a mission in 1923 at Dash Point, it became a full parish in 1968 and today is home to more than 1,200 registered households, including a sizable Spanish-speaking community that gathers regularly for worship and formation. The parish is currently journeying toward unification with neighboring St. Vincent de Paul Parish under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel initiative, forming Parish Family 31.
- Established
- 1923
- Patron
- St. Theresa of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael A. Dion
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Theresa offers a warm, multi-generational Catholic home for families in Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma, with weekend and weekday Masses in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a full sacramental schedule. The parish is deeply engaged in faith formation for children, youth and adults (including a Spanish-language OCIA/RICA track), vibrant youth ministry through Life Teen and the Lambs of Christ Youth Group, and outreach to the homeless and hungry through its Sandwich Program, Food Bank and other Faith in Action ministries. Joining means becoming part of a 100-year-old community — and a parish family now joining with St. Vincent de Paul to build an even stronger future together.
Mass times at St. Theresa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
About St. Theresa Parish
St. Theresa Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle serving the faithful of Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma. According to the parish's own About page, the mission is 'to give people the opportunity to encounter the Lord, receive His love and His care, and help equip them to live out life with Jesus Christ.' Pastor Father Michael Dion, the staff, and more than 1,200 registered households make up this active and multi-generational Catholic community, which is now journeying toward unification with neighboring St. Vincent de Paul Parish under the Partners in the Gospel initiative.
- Founded as a mission in 1923 at Dash Point
- Became a full parish in 1968
- More than 1,200 registered households
- Active Spanish-speaking community alongside English-speaking parishioners
History of the Parish
St. Theresa's story began in 1923 when it was established as a mission of St. Patrick's and St. Leo's parishes in Tacoma, serving Catholics at present-day Dash Point. The first Mass was celebrated in early 1924. As Federal Way grew, the mission grew with it, becoming a full parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle in 1968 with Fr. James McEachern as its first pastor. By the 1970s, the 75-seat wooden church could no longer accommodate the swelling parish, prompting weekend and daily Masses at Twin Lakes Elementary School and Christ Lutheran Church.
Building the New Church (1976–1981)
In 1976 the Archdiocese-sanctioned building program began in earnest. Hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours of labor produced a new church, rectory and multi-purpose center. The new rectory was occupied in April 1980 by Father Piro, and the first Mass in the new church was celebrated on September 28, 1980 — preceded by a 'Rite of Departure' at the old mission church and a procession to the new facility. The multi-purpose center was dedicated on June 28, 1981. The bell tower from the original wooden church was preserved and placed at the entrance of the new building, where it remains a tangible link with the parish's past.
- Building program sanctioned 1976
- Rectory occupied April 1980 by Fr. Piro
- First Mass in new church: September 28, 1980
- Multi-purpose center dedicated June 28, 1981
100th Anniversary (2023)
On October 1, 2023, St. Theresa joyfully marked the 100th anniversary of its 1923 founding with a parish-wide celebration. The time capsule sealed in the base of the bell tower was opened as part of the festivities — a century after the mission community first gathered for Mass at Dash Point.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Michael A. Dion and Parochial Vicar Rev. John Paul Tomassi. A lay staff supports the liturgical, faith formation, Hispanic ministry, youth, music and administrative life of the parish.
- Rev. Michael A. Dion — Pastor
- Rev. John Paul Tomassi — Parochial Vicar
- Director of Pastoral Administration
- Director of Pastoral Ministry
- Alma Carrillo — Pastoral Assistant for Hispanic Ministries & Adult Bilingual Faith Formation
- Luoana Leyes — Children's Faith Formation K–5 (Spanish)
- Marimilia Garcia — Youth Minister
- Tiffany Walker — Choir Director
- Gloria Arteaga — Bookkeeper
- Kim Bowman — Child Faith Formation Coordinator (Spanish)
- Emily Garcia-Duran — Receptionist / Administrative Assistant
- Carlos Carrillo
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Theresa's faith formation programs serve every age group, with parallel English and Spanish tracks. Children's Faith Formation covers kindergarten through 5th grade, including preparation for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation. Youth Faith Formation serves students in grades 6–12 who have not yet received the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation; it is a two-year process with Friday evening classes. Adult Faith Formation includes OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) in English, with RICA offered in Spanish.
- Children's Faith Formation K–5 (English and Spanish)
- Youth Faith Formation grades 6–12 (Friday evenings 6:00–7:30 PM)
- Sacramental Preparation (First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, Confirmation)
- Adult Faith Formation / OCIA (English) and RICA (Spanish)
Youth Ministry
St. Theresa's vibrant youth ministry is led by Youth Minister Marimilia Garcia and centers on two flagship programs: Life Teen, the parish's high-school youth ministry, and the Lambs of Christ Youth Group, which generally meets on the last Sunday of every month after the 1:00 PM Spanish Mass for activities, Bible study and reflection. The parish's parish history also references the Edge Program for students in grades 6–8.
- Life Teen — high school youth ministry
- Lambs of Christ Youth Group — meets last Sunday of the month after 1:00 PM Spanish Mass
- Edge Program — middle school students grades 6–8
- Youth Faith Formation classes Friday nights in the Parish Hall
Faith in Action: Outreach & Service
St. Theresa's 'Faith in Action' outreach supports ministries that feed, clothe and shelter those in need, both locally and in nearby Tacoma. The parish's Sandwich Program is a long-standing effort in which volunteers prepare sandwiches that are delivered to and distributed among the homeless in Tacoma. Other parish ministries include a Food Bank, Eucharist for the Sick, Grief Ministry, Prayer Line, Designs for Life, Women's Fellowship and the 50 Plus Club.
- Sandwich Program (homeless outreach in Tacoma)
- Food Bank
- Eucharist for the Sick
- Grief Ministry
- Prayer Line
- Designs for Life
- Women's Fellowship
- 50 Plus Club
Hispanic Ministries / Ministerio Hispano
St. Theresa is home to a sizable Spanish-speaking community that considers the parish its spiritual home. Bilingual and Spanish-language offerings include a Saturday Vigil Mass in Spanish, a Sunday Mass in Spanish, a Thursday evening Spanish Mass, Spanish-language OCIA (RICA), Spanish-language Children's Faith Formation for K–5, and the Lambs of Christ youth gatherings after the Spanish Sunday Mass. Pastoral Assistant Alma Carrillo coordinates Hispanic Ministries and adult bilingual faith formation.
- Spanish Masses: Sat 7 PM, Sun 1 PM, Thu 7 PM
- RICA — adult faith formation in Spanish
- Formación en la fe para niños K–5 en español
- Coordinated by Pastoral Assistant for Hispanic Ministries
Partners in the Gospel: Parish Family 31
In 2024 the Archdiocese of Seattle placed St. Theresa and St. Vincent de Paul parishes into Parish Family 31 under the Partners in the Gospel strategic pastoral planning initiative, with Pastor Rev. Michael A. Dion leading both parishes toward becoming one unified parish over the coming years. St. Vincent de Paul Church (30525 8th Ave S, Federal Way) and St. Vincent de Paul School (30527 8th Ave S) are part of the same parish family.
- Parish Family 31 includes St. Theresa and St. Vincent de Paul
- St. Vincent de Paul School is part of the parish family
- Pastoral planning under Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Theresa is led by Choir Director Tiffany Walker. The parish notes that its Sunday pianist/organist has been serving since 1999 and also plays at many weddings in the church, reflecting a long tradition of music ministry supporting both Sunday liturgy and parish celebrations.
- Choir Director: Tiffany Walker
- Long-serving Sunday pianist/organist (since 1999)
Visit, Contact & Newcomers
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (253) 838-5924 or [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:45 AM to 3:00 PM and Friday 9:45 AM to 12:00 noon. Anyone new to the parish — or reconnecting with the Catholic Church — is invited to fill out a parish registration form or contact the office for assistance.
- Phone: 253-838-5924
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:45 AM–3:00 PM; Fri 9:45 AM–12:00 noon
- New parishioner registration available via the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James McEachern1968
First pastor when the mission became a full parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
- Fr. PiroApril 1980
Occupied the new rectory; presided at the first Mass in the new church on September 28, 1980.
- Fr. Michael Dion
Current pastor; leads the parish through the Partners in the Gospel merger with St. Vincent de Paul.