About St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus · Gladewater, Texas
St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Gladewater, Texas, in the Diocese of Tyler. The parish's motto, 'Do All Things for the Glory of God,' is displayed at the top of its website. Under pastor Fr. Francis O'Dowd, the parish offers daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil Mass, and a Sunday Mass, along with a regular schedule of Confessions and parish events such as Ladies Guild and Men's Association gatherings. According to GCatholic, the parish was established in 1945 and is identified as a parish within the Diocese of Tyler.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Thérèse of the Infant Jesus)
- Rector
- Fr. Francis O'Dowd
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tyler
Why belong here
St. Theresa is a faithful small Catholic community in East Texas that offers daily Mass four days a week plus Sunday Mass, regular Confession before both weekend liturgies, and a warm calendar of social and spiritual gatherings including the Ladies Guild, Men's Association, First Friday Mass with Adoration, and quarterly Social Saturdays. Visitors can find a welcoming parish rooted in the spirituality of its patron St. Thérèse of Lisieux and supported by an active office led by Jamie Clowers.
Mass times at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 4:55 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: Mass followed by Adoration
Parish Identity and Patron Saint
St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus takes its name from St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), the French Carmelite nun known as 'The Little Flower,' who is recognized as a Doctor of the Church and the patron saint of missionaries. The parish carries her 'little way' of spiritual childhood as part of its identity, and the parish motto on its homepage reads 'Do All Things for the Glory of God,' echoing Thérèse's well-known teaching that even small acts done with love have great value in God's eyes.
- Patron: St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Thérèse of the Infant Jesus)
- Feast Day: October 1
- Parish motto: 'Do All Things for the Glory of God'
History of St. Theresa Parish
The Catholic community that became St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus traces its roots to East Texas in the years after World War I. According to the TXGenWeb Project's history of Gregg County churches, the first church building was constructed in 1936 at O'Byrne Mill, and descendants of the founding families still attend the parish. GCatholic records the formal founding date of the parish as 1945. The parish has long been served from its present location on Union Grove Road.
- First church built 1936 at O'Byrne Mill (after WWI)
- Parish formally established 1945 per GCatholic
- Current site: 10138 Union Grove Rd., Gladewater, TX 75647
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently served by pastor Fr. Francis O'Dowd, whose email is listed as [email protected]. The parish office is staffed by Jamie Clowers, who can be reached at (903) 845-2306 or officesttheresagladewater.org.
- Pastor: Fr. Francis O'Dowd — [email protected]
- Office: Jamie Clowers — (903) 845-2306 — [email protected]
Parish Ministries and Community Life
A small but active calendar of groups and gatherings keeps the parish connected throughout the year. The Ladies Guild, the Men's Association, and quarterly Social Saturdays are visible on the parish calendar and offer parishioners regular opportunities for fellowship, service, and spiritual growth.
- Ladies Guild
- Men's Association
- Social Saturdays (quarterly)
- First Friday Devotion (Mass + Adoration)
Sacraments
The 'Our Catholic Faith' page of the parish website provides sacramental information for parishioners. Parents are asked to register with the church office or email [email protected] for Baptism and to bring the child's birth certificate; godparents must present a copy of their marriage license unless married in the parish. Couples preparing for Marriage should contact the parish priest at least six months in advance and review the Diocesan Guidelines for Engaged Couples. Confirmation preparation is also offered through the parish.
- Baptism — register with parish office; bring child's birth certificate
- Godparents — bring marriage license if not married in parish
- Marriage — contact priest at least 6 months in advance; follow Diocesan Guidelines for Engaged Couples
- Confirmation
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Theresa by phone, email, or in person at the rectory. Driving directions from town are simple: from Gladewater, head 4 miles north on US HWY 271, turn left on Willow Oak Rd., then right on Union Grove Rd. The parish maintains a Facebook page where news, events, and homilies are shared.
- Address: 10138 Union Grove Rd., Gladewater, TX 75647
- Rectory phone: (903) 845-2306
- Fax: (903) 845-7126
- Office email: [email protected]
- Pastoral email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/sttheresagladewater