About St. Theresa · Panhandle, Texas
St. Theresa Catholic Church is a small, friendly rural parish serving the town of Panhandle and the surrounding Texas Panhandle countryside in the Diocese of Amarillo. The community has worshipped on this site as a mission since 1927 and as an independent parish since 1955, taking its name and identity from its patroness, St. Thérèse of Lisieux — the 'Little Flower,' whose image gives the parish's address (Little Flower Way) its name. Today the parish is led by Father Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi and offers a full weekly schedule of Masses in English, weekly Confession, monthly First Friday Adoration, and a Holy Rosary before Sunday Mass.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
- Rector
- Father Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Amarillo
Why belong here
St. Theresa is exactly the kind of small, family-sized parish where everyone knows one another's name. The community gathers for the Holy Rosary at 8:35 AM each Sunday, followed by Mass at 9:00 AM, with Confession available right beforehand at 8:40 AM — a rhythm built around preparing hearts for the Eucharist. First Fridays bring an extended morning of Adoration (7:30 AM to noon, with Benediction) followed by an evening holy hour from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, and Saturday evening Vigil Mass is followed by another chance for the sacrament. Under the pastoral care of Father Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi and with the prayerful presence of the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light next door at the convent, the parish offers a quiet, deeply traditional Catholic life rooted in the 'Little Flower' spirituality of its patroness.
Mass times at St. Theresa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:40 AM (before Mass)
- Saturday: 6:15 PM (after Vigil Mass)
- And by appointment with Father
Adoration times
- First Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Benediction just before noon)
- First Friday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (evening holy hour)
Welcome to St. Theresa's
The parish's homepage greets visitors with a quote from its patroness — 'Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.' It describes the community as 'a small, friendly rural parish that has served the Amarillo diocese as a mission since 1927 and as a parish since 1955' and invites everyone to 'Join us for the celebration of the Holy Mass!' The site's tagline pairs St. Thérèse's words with a fitting summary: 'The wish to pray is the strongest prayer.'
Parish History
St. Theresa was founded as a Catholic mission of the newly created Diocese of Amarillo in 1927, one of the small rural parishes that grew up among the farming communities of the Texas Panhandle. In 1955 it was formally established as an independent parish. The most consequential pastor of the mid-twentieth century was Monsignor John A. Steinlage, who came from Sacred Heart Cathedral in Amarillo in 1959, oversaw construction of the present church building in 1961, and directed the completion of St. Anne's Home for the Aged in Panhandle (dedicated 1963). He died suddenly on August 13, 1967, at the age of 66.
- 1927 — established as a mission of the Diocese of Amarillo
- 1955 — erected as an independent parish
- 1959 — Monsignor John A. Steinlage becomes pastor
- 1961 — new St. Therese Church built under Monsignor Steinlage
- 1963 — St. Anne's Home for the Aged dedicated in Panhandle
- 1967 — death of Monsignor Steinlage (August 13)
Clergy and Pastoral Care
The parish is currently shepherded by Father Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi. Father Hrudaya is named as celebrant alongside visiting priests such as Fr. Tony Neusch and Fr. Scott Raef for funeral Masses in Panhandle, and as co-celebrant with the Bishop of Amarillo for the funeral of the convent's Sisters. Confession is available by appointment with him outside the scheduled Sunday and Saturday times.
- Father Hrudaya Raju Kondamudi — Pastor
Religious Sisters in Residence
A convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light is located immediately adjacent to the parish at 119 Franciscan Way, Panhandle, TX 79068. The Thursday 7:00 AM Mass is celebrated in their chapel, and the parish's sacramental life is enriched by the prayerful presence of the Sisters who live on the property.
- Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light — regional convent, 119 Franciscan Way, Panhandle
Visit Us — Location and Contact
St. Theresa Catholic Church sits on Little Flower Way, off the intersection of FM 293 and Hwy 60 in the town of Panhandle — the street itself being a quiet tribute to the parish's patroness. Visitors are asked to write to the parish at P.O. Box 366, Panhandle, TX 79068-0366, or to call (806) 537-3677 during parish hours. Email correspondence goes to [email protected].
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 366, Panhandle, TX 79068-0366
- Street address: 110 Little Flower Way (on FM 293 at Hwy 60), Panhandle, TX
- Phone: (806) 537-3677
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sttheresapanhandletx.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor John A. Steinlage1959–1967
Previously pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Amarillo and Vicar General; moved to St. Theresa in 1959. Built the present St. Therese Church in spring 1961 and oversaw the completion of St. Anne's Home for the Aged in Panhandle (dedicated 1963). Died August 13, 1967, from a cerebral hemorrhage.