About St. Therese · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
St. Therese Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a Catholic community inspired by the Little Way of St. Therese of Lisieux, striving to live as God’s people through faith and service. Founded in 1956, the parish grew from a small chapel into a vibrant congregation with multiple worship sites and active ministries. It continues to serve its members through regular Masses, sacraments, and outreach programs rooted in spiritual formation and community care.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Therese of Lisieux
- Rector
- Fr. Tom PC
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Join a community that lives out the Little Way of St. Therese through ministries like Youth Ministry, Christcare, and Sharing Sunday. Participate in monthly events, sacramental preparation, and parish-wide service projects that foster spiritual growth and neighborly care. The parish offers Masses in multiple languages, adoration, and opportunities for all ages to deepen their faith.
Mass times at St. Therese
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 8:15am First Weekend of the Month
Adoration times
- 11:30am Thursday at SVP-W
History
St. Therese Parish began as a small chapel in 1925, known as the 'Little Flower Mission,' founded by Pallotine priest Peter Schroeder. It became a formal parish in 1956 under Fr. Nicholas Wilwers. The parish faced challenges including debt and declining school enrollment, but was revitalized under Fr. Roger Heck (1970–1998), who emphasized religious education, social concerns, and spirituality. The parish evolved with ministries like Youth Ministry (1984) and Christcare (1982), and hosted annual festivals until 2008. After Fr. Heck’s retirement, leadership transitioned to lay-focused roles under Dr. Alexandra Guliano and assisting priests, continuing the Little Way tradition.
Ministries
The parish offers a variety of ministries including Youth Ministry, Christcare (Little Flower Ministries), and Sharing Sunday. These ministries focus on spiritual formation, service, and community engagement. The parish also hosts events like the Rosary Prayer Service and Blessing of the Sick.
- Youth Ministry
- Christcare (Little Flower Ministries)
- Sharing Sunday
- Rosary Prayer Service
- Blessing of the Sick
Mass and Worship
Masses are held at multiple locations: Saturday 4:00pm at SVP-W, Sunday 7:30am at SVP-E, 9:00am at STP (streamed via Facebook Live), and 10:30am at SVP-W. Adoration is held Thursday at 11:30am at SVP-W. Confession is offered the first weekend of each month at 8:15am.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Nicholas Wilwers1956
First pastor of St. Therese Parish
- Fr. Roger Heck1970–1998
Revitalized parish; served nearly 30 years
- Fr. Phillip Reifenberg1998–2002
Parish Administrator
- Dr. Alexandra Guliano2002–present
Parish Director; focused on lay empowerment and spirituality