About St. Therese · Kansas City, Missouri
St. Therese Parish is a Catholic parish in southern Platte County, Kansas City, Missouri, part of the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph. Founded in 1950 by Msgr. Thomas Brett on what was then open land purchased from Noble Johnson, the parish has grown from an original congregation of about 75 people to more than 3,000 families, with a K–8 parish school, an Early Education Center, an Adoration Chapel, and a 1,500-seat worship space dedicated in 1998. Known affectionately as the parish of the 'Little Flower' after its patron, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Therese North serves Catholics across the southern half of Platte County and is currently pastored by Rev. Joseph I. Cisetti.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the 'Little Flower')
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph I. Cisetti
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph
Why belong here
St. Therese North offers a full Catholic life for families in southern Platte County: weekend Masses five times over Saturday and Sunday, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, an Adoration Chapel open 13 hours a day most weekdays, and a robust reconciliation schedule. The parish partners with parents in raising children through a K–8 school, an Early Education Center, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Parish Schools of Religion, and the Young Church youth ministry for grades 6–12. Adults are welcomed into small groups, the Journey retreat experience, Mothers of Young Children, Mental Health Ministry, and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry that serves neighbors in need.
Mass times at St. Therese
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 8:20 am (in the church)
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 8:20 am (in the church)
- Saturday: 2:30 pm – 4:15 pm (in the church)
- Also available upon request
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel — Monday–Friday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Adoration Chapel — Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
About St. Therese Parish
Established in 1950, St. Therese Catholic Church and School in Kansas City, Missouri, has grown from a small founding congregation of 75 people to a parish of more than 3,000 families. The parish serves the southern half of Platte County under the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph and is pastored by Rev. Joseph I. Cisetti. The parish is affectionately known as the parish of the 'Little Flower' for its patron, St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
- Founded 1950 by Msgr. Thomas Brett
- Part of the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph
- Pastored by Rev. Joseph I. Cisetti
- More than 3,000 families
- Patron: St. Thérèse of Lisieux ('Little Flower')
History of St. Therese Parish
The formal establishment of St. Therese Parish was authorized by Bishop LeBlond, who sent Fr. Thomas Brett to celebrate the first official Mass on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950, in the chapel of the former Leland Francis Funeral Home. The 12–13-acre property was purchased from Noble Johnson, and the first groundbreaking was held February 11, 1951 — the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Subsequent decades saw a convent (1955), a rectory (1965), a 650-seat church dedicated by Bishop Helmsing in 1972, a 1977 school wing, and a 1991 Child Care / Pre-K building. After Masses began overflowing in the late 1990s, the parish built a new 1,500-seat church dedicated by Bishop Raymond Boland on January 14, 1998. A new K–8 school followed, with groundbreaking in July 2002 and final occupancy in December 2003.
- April 9, 1950 — first official Mass (Easter Sunday)
- Feb 11, 1951 — first groundbreaking (Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes)
- 1955 — convent built for Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth
- 1965 — rectory for resident priests
- March 12, 1972 — second church dedicated by Bishop Helmsing (~650 seats)
- 1977 — 11,000 sq. ft. school wing added
- 1991 — three-story Child Care / Pre-K / Kindergarten building
- January 14, 1998 — new 1,500-seat church dedicated by Bishop Raymond Boland
- 2002–2003 — new school built; old buildings demolished; courtyard fountain placed where original church stood
Holy Days & Special Liturgies
St. Therese publishes specific Mass times for Ash Wednesday, the Solemnity of Mary, the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, Christmas, and New Year's.
- Ash Wednesday: 6:30 am / 8:30 am / 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm; Distribution of Ashes Only at 12:00 pm
- Dec 31 (Mary, Mother of God vigil): 5:00 pm
- Jan 1 (Solemnity of Mary): 9:00 am and 11:00 am
- Christmas Eve (Dec 24): 4:00 pm / 7:00 pm / 9:00 pm
- Christmas Day (Dec 25): 10:00 am (no 8:30 am Mass)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish partners with parents to grow children in the Catholic faith from infancy through high school. Programs include the Early Education Center, the parish K–8 school, Parish Schools of Religion (PSR), Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and the Young Church youth ministry. Special sacrament preparation classes are also offered for older students in grades 4–8 who missed earlier preparation.
- Parish Schools of Religion (K–5)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–9, Levels 1 & 2)
- Young Church (6th–12th grade youth ministry)
- High School Confirmation preparation
- Reconciliation & Eucharist preparation (grades 4–8)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
CGS is a Montessori-based approach to Catholic faith formation for children ages 3–9, originating in Rome in 1954 through Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi. The parish offers multiple weekly atrium sessions for Level 1 (ages 3–6) and Level 2 (ages 6–9).
- Level 1 (ages 3–6): Mon 9:30–11:30 am; Thu 9:30–11:30 am; multiple Pre-K sessions during the school day
- Level 2 (ages 6–9): Thu 3:15–5:00 pm
- Contact: Nancy Janasz — [email protected]
Young Church & Youth Ministry
Young Church is open to all parish middle and high schoolers, whether they attend St. Therese School or another school. The program meets on Wednesday nights during the school year and addresses the educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of adolescents.
- Wednesday nights, 6:00 – 7:15 pm (Sept–May)
- 3rd Floor Youth Room in the parish school
- Follows the same calendar as PSR
- Director: Erica Sarmiento (816.741.2800 ext. 221)
St. Therese School (K–8) and Early Education Center
The parish school provides Catholic education from kindergarten through eighth grade, while the Early Education Center offers Christian childcare from infants (6 weeks) through Pre-K. The school prides itself on helping children live lives of intentional faith in Jesus Christ.
- School K–8 with Catholic foundation
- Early Education Center: 6 weeks through Pre-K (capacity ~260)
- Principal: Amy Hogan — 816.741.5400 ext. 104
- SPX (St. Pius X) Scholarship opportunities offered for more than two decades
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Therese North offers a wide range of parish organizations for adults, families, and youth. Many ministries are rooted in service, formation, or community life, and most welcome new volunteers.
- Altar & Rosary Society
- Mothers of Young Children (MOYC)
- Mental Health Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Journey — New Life in Christ Retreat (Women's and Men's weekends)
- Respect Life Ministry
- Pastoral Council (advisory to pastor; 3-year commitment)
- Finance Council
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Wedding Coordinators
- Natural Family Planning
- Baptismal Prep Class teachers, Marriage mentor couples, Catechumenate sponsors
Sacraments
Information about sacramental preparation is available through the parish for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Older children who missed earlier preparation can take part in special classes for Reconciliation and Eucharist.
- Baptism — preparation classes the second Monday of each month (except December); taught by trained volunteers
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — preparation typically in 2nd grade; catch-up classes for grades 4–8
- Confirmation — high school preparation with mentor/table leaders
- Marriage — mentor couple program led by Deacon Scott McKellar (816.741.2800 ext. 213)
- Anointing of the Sick / Funerals — contact parish office
Outreach & Charity
St. Therese operates a St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry on the parish campus as part of its outreach to neighbors in need. The Mental Health Ministry offers a confidential space for individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges, with a mission of Coping and Caring, Awareness, and Advocacy.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry (lower level of the parish)
- Mental Health Ministry — contacts: Diane Hall, Mary Beth Fisher, Jeff Davis ([email protected])
- Respect Life Ministry
Campus & Facilities
The parish campus sits on 12–13 acres along MO Highway 9 in southern Platte County and provides worship, education, formation, and meeting space for the parish and broader community.
- Church (Worship Space) — seating ~1,500; confessionals; Adoration Chapel; Gift Shop; Cry Room; Welcome Center
- Lower Level — Wooldridge Center (large events); Birkel Room; Martin Room; Parish Library; Kitchen; St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Parish School (K–8)
- Early Education Center (6 weeks through Pre-K)
Visit, Contact & Volunteer
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office handles inquiries, and many ministries welcome volunteers.
- Address: 7207 NW Highway 9, Kansas City, MO 64152
- Parish Office: 816.741.2800 (Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; closed Wed 1:00–3:00 pm)
- Urgent after-hours needs: parish answering service at 816.741.2800
- Director of Religious Ed: Stephanie Andrade — 816.741.5400 ext. 219, [email protected]
- Deacon Scott McKellar — [email protected], ext. 213
- Karen Engebretson (Pastoral Council/Volunteers) — ext. 258, [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Thomas Brett1950 (founding)
Founding pastor; celebrated first official Mass on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950.
- Msgr. Denis A. O'Duignan
Listed among the outstanding pastors who served the parish.
- Msgr. Victor G. Moser
Listed among the outstanding pastors who served the parish.
- Rev. Frank Lackamp
Listed among the outstanding pastors who served the parish.
- Rev. T. James Hart
Listed among the outstanding pastors who served the parish.
- Rev. Michael Roach
Listed among the outstanding pastors who served the parish.
- Rev. Joseph I. Cisetti2011–present
Current pastor; previously served at the parish as an associate; ordained a priest of the Kansas City–St. Joseph Diocese in 1991.