About St. Theresa of the Little Flower · Corpus Christi, Texas
St. Theresa Catholic Church is a small, welcoming Roman Catholic parish in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the city's near-west side at 1302 Lantana Street. Founded on April 13, 1947 by 50 founding families on land donated by the Dunn family, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Corpus Christi and is currently shepherded by Fr. Joseph T. Nguyen. The community gathers for a Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday morning Mass, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a First-Wednesday Healing Mass, and a First-Friday Mass of Anointing of the Sick. Despite its modest size, St. Theresa is known for its warmth, generosity, and the long-tenure affection of multi-generational families who have shaped its nearly 80-year history.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (St. Theresa of the Little Flower)
- Rector
- Fr. Joseph T. Nguyen
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
St. Theresa is a small parish with a big heart — exactly as former pastor Fr. Don Downey described it: "the most generous, most loving, most willing to give." It offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil, Sunday worship, weekday Reconciliation, a Friday Holy Hour, a monthly Healing Mass, and Anointing of the Sick — alongside a Religious Education program, Confirmation preparation, the EDGE youth ministry, and the Journey of Faith (RCIA) process for adults. Multi-generational families have anchored this community since 1947, and the parish welcomes new parishioners with an easy registration form, downloadable sacrament policies, and a pastor who invites visitors and newcomers alike to "encounter the little ways of Saint Theresa that lead her to the great love of God."
Mass times at St. Theresa of the Little Flower
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Other times by appointment (call 361-289-2759)
Adoration times
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Holy Hour)
Parish History & Heritage
Saint Theresa Catholic Church was formally established as a parish on April 13, 1947, when Bishop Emmanuel Ledvina accepted 50 founding families onto 12 acres of land donated by the Dunn family. A school built in 1948 served as a temporary chapel until the permanent church and rectory were dedicated in November 1959 under Bishop Mariano S. Garriga, with Father Thomas Buergler as the first pastor. At least 14 pastors have since ministered to this now nearly 80-year-old community, and Bishop Michael Mulvey presided at the 75th Anniversary Mass in 2022.
- Founded April 13, 1947 — Bishop Emmanuel Ledvina
- 12 acres donated by the Dunn family
- School opened September 1949 (Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament); closed 1992
- Church and rectory dedicated November 1959 — Bishop Mariano S. Garriga
- First pastor: Father Thomas Buergler
- 75th Anniversary celebrated 2022 — Bishop Michael Mulvey
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Joseph T. Nguyen, who signs the parish welcome letters and the bulletin. He can be reached through the parish office at (361) 289-2759 or by email at [email protected]. The parish has been served over the decades by pastors remembered at major anniversaries — most recently at the 75th, when Msgr. Michael Howell, Msgr. Mark Chamberlin, and Father Don Downey concelebrated with the bishop.
- Pastor: Fr. Joseph T. Nguyen
- Phone: (361) 289-2759
- Email: [email protected]
- Past pastors honored at the 75th Anniversary: Msgr. Michael Howell, Msgr. Mark Chamberlin, Fr. Don Downey
- First pastor: Father Thomas Buergler (1959)
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Theresa's worship life centers on a Saturday Vigil Mass and a Sunday morning Mass, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday at 6:00 PM. The Tuesday Mass is preceded by the Rosary about 30 minutes before it begins. The parish also keeps two beloved devotional rhythms: a Healing Mass on the First Wednesday and a Mass of Anointing of the Sick on the First Friday.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 6:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM
- Daily Mass (Tue–Fri): 6:00 PM
- Rosary: 30 minutes before Tuesday's 6:00 PM Mass
- Healing Mass: First Wednesday, 6:00–7:00 PM
- Mass of Anointing of the Sick: First Friday, 6:00–7:00 PM
Religious Education & Youth Faith Formation
St. Theresa runs a multi-year Religious Education program for children preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, with separate First-Year and Second-Year tracks on the parish website (lesson schedules, quizzes, and topic outlines are posted). The parish also hosts the EDGE youth ministry program, which uses seasonal lesson plans to walk middle-school students through Catholic identity, the Church, Scripture, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- First Year (First Communion prep) — posted lessons on prayer, the Church, the Holy Eucharist
- Second Year — continued First Communion preparation
- Confirmation First Year — meaning of Confirmation
- Confirmation Second Year — why the Sacrament of Confirmation
- EDGE youth ministry — seasonal lessons (Woman at the Well, Faith & Tradition, Holiness of the Church, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Magi)
- Registration PDFs available: 2025-2026 Religious Education Registration and 2026-2027 Registration
Journey of Faith (RCIA / Adult Formation)
The parish's Journey of Faith page describes a process "that leads to Heaven," functioning as the parish's pathway for adults exploring or completing their initiation into the Catholic Church — parallel to the diocesan RCIA program.
- Journey of Faith — adult initiation / catechumenate process
- Questions and Answers page accompanies the program
Other Sacraments & Devotions
Beyond Mass and Reconciliation, the parish makes Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Quinceañera, and Anointing of the Sick available. The parish also accepts Mass Intentions, prayer requests for the sick and deceased, and sponsorships of the sanctuary candles. The parish website posts downloadable PDFs of the Baptism & Quinceañera Policies and other sacrament policies.
- Baptism (policy PDF available)
- First Holy Communion (celebrated annually — e.g., Sunday June 21 at 10:00 AM)
- Confirmation (two-year prep)
- Quinceañera (policy PDF available)
- Anointing of the Sick (First Friday Mass)
- Mass Intentions — request via phone, email, or mail
- Prayer Requests for the sick and deceased — listed weekly in the bulletin
- Sanctuary Candle sponsorships — $10 per week
Parish Life, Stewardship & Outreach
St. Theresa participates in the Diocese of Corpus Christi's Bishop's Stewardship Appeal, with annual pastor letters encouraging parishioners to support diocesan faith formation (Youth Ministry, Religious Educator training, RCIA), Catholic Charities, and the Mother Teresa Shelter serving those less fortunate in the Corpus Christi community. The parish maintains a digital bulletin through DiscoverMass.com and posts downloadable registration forms for new parishioners and Religious Education.
- Bishop's Stewardship Appeal — supports Youth Ministry, Religious Educator training, RCIA
- Outreach supported: Catholic Charities and Mother Teresa Shelter
- Digital bulletin available via DiscoverMass.com
- New Parishioner Registration Form (PDF)
- Religious Education Registration Form (PDF)
- Baptism & Quinceañera Policies (PDF)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas Buergler1959 (first pastor; parish established 1947)
First pastor; church and rectory dedicated under his pastorate in November 1959.
- Father Don Downey
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th Anniversary Mass in 2022 and is quoted on the parish's character.
- Msgr. Michael Howell
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th Anniversary Mass in 2022.
- Msgr. Mark Chamberlin
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th Anniversary Mass in 2022.
- Fr. Joseph T. Nguyencurrent
Current pastor; signs parish welcome letters and bulletins.