About St. Theresa Parish · Phoenix, Arizona
St. Theresa Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, located at 5045 East Thomas Road in Phoenix, Arizona, near the base of Camelback Mountain in the Arcadia neighborhood. The parish's stated mission is 'to be a joyful and welcoming community that draws its life from a meaningful celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacraments, sharing Christ's love by serving and caring for one another.' It is served by a Parochial Administrator, an Associate Pastor, a Jesuit Priest in Residence, and two deacons, and shares its campus with Saint Theresa Catholic School (Preschool through 8th grade), founded in 1957.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Therese of Lisieux (the 'Little Flower')
- Rector
- Fr. Romeo 'Romy' Dionisio (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
St. Theresa offers daily and weekend Mass with several Sunday options (including a 5:00pm teen/young adult Mass), weekday Eucharistic Adoration in the Convent Chapel every Thursday, and First Friday Adoration and Mass — making the Eucharist the center of parish life. A robust ministries slate (Life Teen, EDGE middle school, OCIA/OCIC adult and children's initiation, the Father's Heart prayer group, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Daughters of the Americas 'Court Little Flower #2810,' and Marriage Prep) gives every age and stage a place to belong and serve.
Mass times at St. Theresa Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Or by appointment with a priest
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM in the Convent Chapel
- First Friday 5:00 PM Adoration, 6:00 PM Mass in the Church
About St. Theresa Parish
St. Theresa Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, located at 5045 East Thomas Road in the Camelback East / Arcadia area of Phoenix, Arizona. The parish describes itself as 'a joyful and welcoming community that draws its life from a meaningful celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacraments, sharing Christ's love by serving and caring for one another.' It is served by a Parochial Administrator, an Associate Pastor, a Jesuit Priest in Residence, two deacons, and a full lay staff, and shares its campus with Saint Theresa Catholic School (Preschool–8).
- Diocese of Phoenix
- 5045 E Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018
- Phone: (602) 840-0850 — Fax: (602) 840-0871
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stphx.org
History of the Parish
St. Theresa was founded in the mid-1950s by Father George Feeney, who worked to establish both a parish community and a Catholic school. In 1955 he wrote to the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, 'St. Theresa's should really be a wonderful parish…Naturally it won't really be a successful parish until we have Mother Seton Sisters established.' The Sisters arrived in 1956 to teach Catechism, and the school opened in 1957 with 250 students in grades 1–4. Father Feeney was killed in a golf cart accident in San Francisco in June 1961, never seeing the first class graduate; a statue of the Little Flower was placed on the school patio in his memory. The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill staffed the school for decades (58 sisters in total), with Sister Marie Veronica Gog serving as a long-tenured principal.
- Founded mid-1950s by Fr. George Feeney
- Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill arrived 1956
- School opened 1957 (250 students, grades 1–4)
- Fr. Feeney died June 1961 in San Francisco
- Patron: St. Therese of Lisieux (feast day Oct. 1)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Romeo 'Romy' Dionisio as Parochial Administrator, with Fr. John Udochukwu as Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) and Fr. George Griener, S.J. as Priest in Residence. Two deacons — Colin F. Campbell and Mark Kriese — assist with liturgy and ministry. A full lay staff coordinates liturgy, music, faith formation, youth ministry, marriage preparation, pastoral care, and parish administration.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. Romeo Dionisio
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. John Udochukwu
- Priest in Residence: Fr. George Griener, S.J.
- Deacons: Colin F. Campbell & Mark Kriese
- Liturgy Coordinator: Zach Ramones
- Director of Music: Brian Kinzie
- Adult Initiation (OCIA): Mary Fransen
- Children's Initiation (OCIC): Maxine Ulibarri
- Children's Religious Education (RE): Michelle Johnson
- EDGE Middle School (6–8): Michelle Johnson
- Life Teen High School: Austin Landspurg
- Pastoral Care Ministry: Maureen Schaaf
- Marriage Prep Coordinator: Gina Keating
- Director of Administration: Cheryl Lienau
Parish Ministries
St. Theresa runs a wide range of lay ministries spanning youth, adult faith formation, outreach, prayer, and women's service organizations. The Father's Heart prayer and praise group meets twice monthly in the main church, while St. Vincent de Paul volunteers make home visits to needy neighbors within parish boundaries.
- Life Teen (High School Youth Ministry)
- EDGE (Middle School Youth Ministry, grades 6–8)
- Adult Faith Formation / Small Group Faith Studies
- Adult Initiation (OCIA)
- Children's Initiation (OCIC) & Religious Education
- The Father's Heart — 1st & 3rd Thursday, 7:00 PM, main church
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (ext. 333)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas — Court Little Flower #2810 (contact Anne Field)
- Liturgy & Music Ministry
- Pastoral Care Ministry
Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares members for each of the seven sacraments through age-appropriate programs. Adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or Eucharist enter the OCIA process; children of catechetical age enter OCIC and Children's RE; couples preparing for marriage follow the Diocese of Phoenix's nine-month process coordinated by Gina Keating. Reconciliation is offered weekly, and Pastoral Care coordinates Anointing of the Sick and other needs.
- Baptism — Children's Initiation (OCIC): Maxine Ulibarri
- First Communion / Confirmation — Children's RE: Michelle Johnson
- Adult Initiation (OCIA): Mary Fransen
- Marriage — 9-month Diocesan process: Gina Keating, ext. 104
- Reconciliation — Wed 5–6 PM, Sat 9–10 AM, or by appointment
- Pastoral Care / Anointing: Maureen Schaaf
Saint Theresa Catholic School (Preschool–8)
Sharing the East Thomas Road campus at 5001 E. Thomas Road, Saint Theresa Catholic School has been an integral part of this vibrant parish and family-oriented community since its establishment in 1957. The school offers a licensed Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Transitional Kindergarten program, plus a K–8 curriculum rooted in Catholic tradition. Enrichments include art, music, physical education, library, and Spanish, with a full-time Health Assistant and School Counselor on site. Extracurriculars include Little Flower Girls Club, ABSi Spanish, Bricks4Kidz, Chess Club, Golf Squad, Choir, Spring Musical, Student Council, and the National Junior Honor Society; CYAA sports begin in 5th grade.
- Founded 1957
- Address: 5001 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018
- Phone: (602) 840-0010
- Enrollment: ~360 (Preschool–8th grade)
- Pastoral Leader: Fr. Romeo Dionisio
- Principal: Mary Pivonka
- Assistant Principal: Sheree Maglin
- Preschool Director: Erin Fitzgerald
- Mission rooted in three pillars: Family, Faith, and Formation
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a core expression of the parish's mission to 'share Christ's love by serving and caring for one another.' The St. Vincent de Paul conference makes home visits to the suffering and needy within parish boundaries, supported by monthly donation collections at Mass and donations via poor boxes at the church doors. Catholic Daughters Court Little Flower #2810 channels giving to local and national charities, and seasonal giving initiatives such as the parish Giving Tree extend that outreach at Christmas.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Parish Office ext. 333
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas — Court Little Flower #2810
- Seasonal Giving Tree and Christmas outreach
- Father's Heart evangelization and prayer nights
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. George Feeney1955–1961
Founding pastor; established the parish community and school in 1957 with the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill; died in a golf cart accident in San Francisco in June 1961 before the school's first class graduated.
- Fr. Radtkeearly 1960s
Succeeded Father Feeney; praised Sister Marie Veronica Gog as 'the school's guiding light from its start in 1957.'
- Rev. Charles G. Kieffermid-2000s–2010s
Listed as pastor on IRS/NonprofitFacts filings and as President of the St. Theresa Roman Catholic Parish Phoenix corporation registered in 2008.